Vata dosha
SPACE + AIR
COLD - DRY - ROUGH - LIGHT - SUBTLE - CLEAR - MOBILE
Responsible for Movement (Transformation)
FUNCTIONS OF VATA:
all physical movements
maintenance of life
governs the mind, sensory perception, and motor functions
movement of thoughts, feelings and nerve impulses
circulation of blood
assimilation and absorption
elimination of urine, feces, sweat
MANAGING VATA
VATA IS THE KING OF THE DOSHA’S
It is responsible for every movement in the body.
Without Vata, Pitta and Kapha can’t move. Due to some of Vata’s qualities being light, rough, dry, subtle, it is the Dosha that is easiest to get out of balance which means it’s the Dosha we need to be paying most attention to balancing.
In balance, Vata promotes creativity, flexibility, joy, and clarity and out of balance Vata produces fear, anxiety, and abnormal movements.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF VATA IMBALANCE
Anxiety, nervousness, unease, panic attacks
Dry, rough, cracked skin
Constipation, gas, burping, stomach discomfort
Irregular sleeping patterns
Dislikes cold weather and the wind
Difficulty making decisions
Over active mind and thinking
Tendency to skip meals or not be interested in food
BALANCING VATA
FAVOUR
Favour warm foods both energetically and in temperature eg. whole, fresh cooked foods.
Favour spices like ginger, black pepper, cinnamon and cumin, coriander seeds and leaves, fennel seeds but not extremely hot spices like cayenne pepper, chilli.
Favour a generous amount of high-quality oils or ghee in your daily diet
Favour plenty of hot and or room temperature water
balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables with fresh seasonal fruit.
snack recommendation is a handful of almonds (soaked over night and peeled with a some sultanas)
routine in your meals and daily routines
Favour sweet, salt, sour tastes
AVOID
Avoid foods that are dry, rough, light in quality eg. Popcorn, crackers, potato chips, corn chips
Avoid raw foods, especially in the morning and evenings (salad, carrot sticks, raw fruit, fresh fruit and vegetable juices) - especially avoid bananas
Avoid stimulating drinks such as coffee, alcohol and any fermenting drinks
Avoid cold or carbonated drinks
Avoid processed or frozen foods
Overeating or eating very heavy meals
Avoid bitter, pungent, astringent tastes
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A VATA-PACIFYING LIFESTYLE
Go throughout your day with awareness, calmness, and creativity
A regular, daily routine with regular times for eating, sleeping, working, etc.
Daily Abhyanga - applying oil to the body for a minimum of 7 minutes, a maximum of 48 minutes. Click here for more info on Abhyanga
Gently exercise routine, no strenuous excessive exercise eg. soft yoga, walking, swimming (don’t get too cold- best during summer season)
Keeping warm, dressing appropriately for each season (keeping ears covered especially during windy and cold times)
Avoid hot showers and also saunas (need to keep your head cool)
Daily Nasiya - nasal drops with medicated oil or plain black sesame oil