Oil For Vata

Since Vata dosha is light and dry by nature, it fits that oils balance Vata dosha. Oil adds moisture and heaviness to soothe Vata’s dry, light nature. What kind of oil and how to use it you may ask? There are no shortage of options! There are many wonderful oils to choose from for both internal and external use. When it comes to Vata oil, ghee (or better yet, ghruta) and sesame oil are held in high regard.

Ghee and ghruta are rich and nourishing, yet also stimulate agni (the digestive fire) and build ojas (vitality and vigor). This is desirable for all doshas. However, Vata dosha, with its tendency to cause an irregular appetite, can especially benefit from ghee. Also, those with a predominant Vata constitution are likely to deplete their ojas through too much movement, activity, and nervous tension. Therefore, foods that build ojas, such as ghee and almonds, are particularly good for Vata types or those with a Vata imbalance.

Sesame oil is also a nice choice as a Vata oil. You can use gently warmed sesame oil for daily abhyanga (self-massage with oil). And, sesame oil can be used in salads, for low-temperature cooking, or enjoyed as a drizzling oil.

Ways to Enjoy Oil for Vata Balance

We have covered a couple of good oil choices for Vata dosha. You may be wondering now how to use oil to balance Vata dosha. Vata types tend to need to consume ample amounts of oil. In fact, the amount of ghee that some Vata types consume may be shocking to their Pitta and Kapha counterparts! Of course, one always needs to be reasonable and mindful of one’s specific health conditions. However, as long as it is good quality oil, such as organic, grass-fed or free-range ghee or ghruta, most people with a Vata constitution can enjoy lipids generously.

Add ghee or ghruta to your morning porridge or kitchari, use it for roasting or frying, or even stir a teaspoon into hot water or tea and drink up!

Vata Oil for Your Body

I also mentioned earlier that oil massage is a great way to enjoy the Vata-balancing effects of oil. You can massage your face, feet, and whole body with sesame oil, ghee, or special herbal-infused oils on a daily basis. This is a wonderful way to nourish your skin, muscles, and connective tissue.

In addition, the medas dhatu, or fat tissue, is connected to self-love. So, by nourishing ourselves with good Vata oils from the inside out and outside in, we are showing ourselves love.

The post Vata Oil: Oil For Balancing Vata Dosha appeared first on PIOR Living.

First of all, as a reminder, ghee is a deeply nourishing substance and is highly revered in Ayurveda. Beyond being a high quality cooking oil, ghee improves agni (digestive fire), nourishes all tissues in the body, and builds ojas (vitality and health).

Ghee and Vata Balance

One way to understand just how helpful ghee is for anti aging is to understand the connection between ghee and Vata dosha. Each phase of life is characterized by one of the three doshas. Childhood is considered the Kapha time of life, adolescence through middle age is the Pitta time of life. The winter years are the Vata time of life.

There are many gifts that come with the Vata time of life. For instance, in this phase, individuals are often able to step back from their career and family duties and there may be more of an emphasis on inward or spiritual pursuits.

At the same time, it is important to be aware of the potentially ill effects of Vata dosha, particularly in the aging process. Vata dosha is characterized as light, cool, and dry. It is also associated with autumn and the end of the life cycle. Dryness (as in dry skin and tissues) and lightness (as in muscle loss) are common attributes of the aging process. Our bodies and minds change and evolve with time without a doubt. However, by bringing opposite qualities such as oiliness, and nourishing, earthy foods, one can help mitigate the predominance of Vata dosha as one ages.

This is where ghee and anti aging is especially relevant. To nourish and moisten dry tissues, eating ghee on a daily basis can help tremendously. Ghee will help keep tissues moist and pleasantly plump from the inside out.

Also, our ojas, or vital life sap, naturally depletes with age. Ghee is one of the primary ojas-building foods.

Ghee for Keeping the Mind Sharp

As we age, we are often looking for ways to keep our minds and memories sharp. Ayurveda teaches that ghee nourishes the brain and is a medhya rasayana, meaning that it supports memory. Therefore, ghee, ghruta, and other high quality fats may be helpful with anti aging because they assist in brain health.

Ghee for Moisturizing the Skin

Also, as we age, we are often aware of changes with our skin. Since ghee provides moisture and builds rasa (plasma, bodily fluids), it can help:

• Hydrate the skin, reducing the onset of wrinkles
• Repair damage done by various skin conditions
• Speed up wound and scar healing

Ghee also improves digestion which has a direct impact on our skin, nails and hair. From aiding in the assimilation of nutrients to repairing the gut wall, ghee improves the overall functioning of the digestive system, resulting in healthier, brighter and clearer skin.

Ghee for Improving Eyesight

In addition, many people experience vision challenges as they age. Ghee may not mean you never need glasses, but Ayurveda teaches that ghee is highly beneficial for the eyes. Ayurvedic scholar Dr. David Frawley teaches that “Ghee itself is the most important food for the eyes, and by taking 1-2 teaspoons twice a day, vision can be improved” (1).

There are many factors to consider in anti aging, but by nourishing ojas and rasa, and supporting brain health and eye health, ghee and Ghruta just might be one of your key foods for longevity.

Greta Kent-Stoll is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner (NAMA), as well as a writer, editor, and Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher. Her Ayurveda practice is based in Asheville, North Carolina and she is the co-owner of Iyengar Yoga Asheville.

References

(1) Frawley, D. (2000). Ayurvedic healing: A comprehensive guide. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus Press.

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The Three Doshas of Ayurveda and Their Qualities 

There are three doshas in Ayurveda – vata, pitta, and kapha – each with different qualities. We define a person’s constitution by means of these three doshas. Each person has a dominant dosha and subsidiary ones. Their unique combination tells of their body type, how their mind will work, and what kind of digestion they will have.

Vata is made of ether and air, so it is dry and cold. It is brittle and airy, there will likely be anxiety, and waves of worry and depression as well as spurts of energy and creativity, it is the most changeable of all the doshas and its bowel movements tend to be as irregular, with a tendency towards constipation and hard stools. 

Pitta is fire and a little water, it is the dosha of transformation and heat, it is passion and anger, its evacuation is usually fast and watery, with a tendency towards loose and hot stools.

Kapha is earth and water, and is the most steady and reliable of the doshas, it tends towards lethargy, sleeping and over-indulgence, and its bowel movements are regular but on the larger side; slow, steady and heavy is the name of the kapha game. 

The three stages of human life in Ayurveda 

In Ayurveda a human life can be split into three stages – childhood, middle age and older age. Each life stage is characterised by a dosha. Childhood (birth – puberty) is defined by kapha, this is why children tend to be snotty and have coughs; middle age (puberty – 55ish) is the pitta time, it is when they are passionate and learning, the fire of life is burning brightly; older age is when vata takes over, things are becoming more brittle and irregular, joints are creaking, sleep can be inconsistent.

And What Can be Done to Help With Chronic Constipation in Older Age?

It is not therefore surprising that someone at the age of 92 will have dryness in their bowels and a tendency towards chronic constipation, it is the time of their life for this. So what can be done about it? 

1. Cut out cold water and cold drinks, only drink warm drinks, or at least room temperature drinks (vata is cold, and it needs warmth to balance it), and one’s system doesn’t need the added shock of cold water, when it is already working hard.
2. Have a large mug of warm water first thing in the morning, each morning, to get the gut going and warmed up, this should initiate the process of metabolism for the day ahead.
3. Add some warming spices to warm water, such as dry ginger, and sip throughout the day. 
4. Sipping fresh ginger water throughout the day. Boil up ginger in water in the morning, and sip on it slowly throughout the day, make sure the water is always warm!
5. Take 1/2 teaspoon of Trikatu with the first few bites of food before lunch and dinner. There is a beautiful Ayurvedic triptych of herbs called trikatu (that contains dry ginger, black pepper and long pepper / pippali). It can be used before meals to help kindle the digestive fire and get the system ready for the food that is coming. (This should not be taken all the time, especially if there are any pitta imbalances, but can be used for a week intermittently).
6. Dryness in the colon is often mirrored by dryness in the lungs. The gut and lungs are deeply interrelated, they both take-in what they need from the outside before converting them into life force energy for the body.  Moistening medicines that treat the lungs and gut include: flax seeds (which you need to have with plenty of warm water, as they use moisture as they metabolise, so you don’t want them further drying out the gut if you take them on their own), and liquorice, which you can have in the form of tea, or chewing on some liquorice as a sweet treat. 
7. Soaked dried fruits that act as gentle laxatives, through their bulking and moistening qualities, such as: soaked raisins and soaked prunes, eat these on their own before breakfast or lunch.
8. Lubricating fats: such as having a teaspoon of Ghruta or ghee, followed by a mug of hot goat’s milk with a little cardamom crushed in it, have this first thing in the morning, and wait for bowel moments.
9. When one is older, we might need to be a little careful with the types of fibre we take, as we don’t want large bits of roughage getting stuck in the gut, so I suggest gentle bulking fibres that act as soft laxatives too, such as: bran and psyllium husk, again these need to be taken with warm liquid, so they do not soak up the liquids that the gut needs for proper peristalsis. 
10. Talking of peristalsis: colon massage! This can be done on oneself, or by another, in the direction of travel in the colon, a little warm sesame oil can be used to help with the massage. Massage from the right iliac region up the right lumbar, over the naval and umbilical region, towards the left lumbar and down towards the left lilac region (this is the direction of travel of food) it can help promote movement and digestion.
11. Oil…. My favourite thing. It is the opposite in quality to dry, cold and brittle (vata). So I suggest adding oils to food after cooking. For example you could put some raw cold pressed sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil on to dhal and rice before eating it. It is beautiful if we can use oils that are uncooked / unheated – and therefore unadulterated – so we don’t undermine their properties. 
12. Don’t overeat! When one is constipated, one should think about what is backing up in the system, and what is being piled on top to join the queue. It is a bit of a rule in Ayurveda to not eat more til we know our previous meals have been digested. So do bear this in mind. 

Love,

Selina

by Selina Van Orden 

atyourbest.one

@_atyourbest

The post Are There Natural Remedies For A 92 Year Old Man With Chronic Constipation? appeared first on PIOR Living.

Late Autumn tends to be a favorite season for Pitta types as it is the time of year in which Pitta is in alleviation. However, those with a strong Vata constitution need to take special care to manage the dry, cool, mobile, and light qualities at this time of year. Otherwise, these attributes can build up within the body and mind causing Vata imbalances.

Keep in mind that even Pitta and Kapha types can develop Vata imbalances so it’s important to know how to keep yourself balanced no matter what constitution you have.

How To Stay Healthy During Vata Season

Staying healthy is a broad concept in Ayurveda. Optimal health is more than the absence of illness and disease. Ayurveda teaches that one of the keys to staying healthy is to live in harmony with the natural world and to make choices that are respectful of one’s inherent constitution. Since Vata is cool, dry, light, and mobile, it’s helpful to embrace diet and lifestyle choices that reflect warmth, moisture, weight and stability. Follow these tips to stay healthy during the fall season.

Enjoy Autumn’s Bounty

Since Vata dosha is light in nature and is composed of the air and ether elements, invoking the earth element is supportive during Vata season. You can stay grounded by eating foods that are heavy as opposed to light. For example, emphasize root vegetables over salads and leafy greens (which are light and bitter). This does not mean that you shouldn’t include leafy greens in your diet. Just make sure that you are including dense, heavy foods as well.

In addition, it’s also important that we start to favor certain tastes. While you should generally aim to have all six tastes at each meal, it’s beneficial to incorporate more sweet, sour and salty foods while minimizing astringent, bitter and pungent tastes. ⁠

Fortunately, many of the seasonal foods available to us this time of year pacify Vata. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but hopefully it helps inspire your fall grocery list!

• Fall Fruit: Apples, Dates, Figs, Pears, Raisins
• Fall Vegetables: Beets, Carrots, Leeks, Parsnips, Pumpkin, Rutabaga, Spinach (cooked), Sweet potatoes, Squash
• Fall Herbs and Spices: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme

If you’re finding it difficult to think of fall sour foods, try adding a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle or vinegar, or a naturally fermented food, like sauerkraut, to your meals.

Eat Warm, Moist and Well-Cooked Meals

During Vata season, it’s important that we emphasize warm, moist and well-cooked foods:

• Strive to serve food warm and add heating spices, like cinnamon and ginger to your meals.
• To add more moisture and heaviness to your foods, incorporate healthy fats. Ghee (or Ghrta / Ghruta / Ghrita) is an ideal food for the Vata season as it is heavy, warm and oily, which brings balance to the light, cool, and dry weather. ⁠In addition, Ghee increases rasa within oneself, which ultimately helps with digestion and detoxification, including relieving constipation, a symptom that occurs with Vata imbalance. ⁠Other oils to incorporate this season include olive, nut, seed, and avocado.⁠
• Try to cook foods well. The more cooked our meals are, the easier they are to digest, which guards against common Vata digestive issues, like bloating and gas.

A Vata-pacifying diet in the Autumn might include:

• Vata Breakfast: A warm bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon, ginger, maple syrup and ghee
• Lunch or dinner: Soup, stew or hearty grains with roasted or sauteed vegetables (especially root vegetables) and ghee
• Snack: Stewed apples with Vata balancing spices, like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg or almond butter stuffed dates

Foods to avoid this season include raw vegetables, salads, smoothies, dry snacks like crackers and popcorn, and other cool, light, dry and rough foods.

Keep in mind that the transition from Pitta season to Vata season should be gradual and based on how you’re feeling. If you’re feeling heated with Pitta symptoms, opt for a Pitta balancing diet and lifestyle. If you’re feeling an increase in Vata, introduce a Vata balancing diet and Vata foods.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is important for countering the drying effects of the autumn season. ⁠In addition to getting sufficient fluids, it’s important to choose beverages that pacify Vata. On the whole, beverages are best served warm. A cup of Vata tea is an excellent way to bring in warming spices, like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, turmeric, fennel, and cumin.

Beverages to avoid include cold or carbonated drinks. You may also want to stay away from coffee, tea and other forms of caffeine. For Vata types, these are often too stimulating.⁠

Commit to a Vata Balancing Daily Routine

Vata’s light and airy nature needs a daily routine to stay grounded. Sticking to consistency with meal times, sleep schedules, exercise and work habits will help quell any Vata dosha uprisings.

Here are a few more ways you can enhance your routine to balance Vata and stay healthy:

• Do Abhyanga daily with warm sesame oil. Sesame oil is warm, moist, nourishing, and grounding, and is therefore a great choice for Vata.
• Practice jal neti with a neti pot every morning. As you are probably aware, the shift to fall and then winter marks the onset of cold and flu season. Now more than ever it is important to guard your body against viruses, allergens, and pathogens. Rinsing the nasal passages daily with warm salt water helps to rid the airways of potential irritants. You can learn about proper technique for using a nasal rinse cup here.
• Make extra time for self-care. Fall is all about coziness, comfort and self-care. This is the time to slow down and get in touch with your physical, mental and emotional health.
• Dress warmly. Staying warm is a simple way to practice self-care and keep Vata in balance during fall. Snuggle up in layers, wear a hat, scarf and gloves outside, and put on soft socks or slippers at home. Don’t forget to always dry your hair after bathing.
• Enjoy quiet-time. Another way to stay balanced during Vata season is to make time to experience quiet. Vata dosha is closely linked to the nervous system and Vata types tend to like movement and creativity. All of this is wonderful in and of itself, but too much noise, movement, and change is very aggravating for Vata dosha. Take time to pause, unplug your electronics, and enjoy the quiet during the fall. This can look like a silent yoga practice, mindfulness practices, sitting in silence, or a warm bath at the end of the day. A walk in nature is also tremendously nourishing to the nervous system.
• Get adequate sleep. As a result of Vata’s light and mobile nature, sleep can become disturbed this time of year. Try to practice good sleep hygiene and give yourself at least 8 hours each night to rest.
  
• Be nourished. Vata dosha is linked to the end of the life cycle. An excess of Vata dosha can manifest as weakness, debility, and even emaciation. Even if you are young and in the Pitta time of life, the Vata season is a good time to keep on eye on your energy reserves. Be sure that you are not depleting yourself or spreading yourself too thin. Consider taking a spoonful of Chyawanprash each morning to build ojas.

Celebrate the Season

Most of us have a favorite season. Some love the hot, lazy days of summer. Others relish April showers and spring blossoms. Or perhaps the smell of evergreen and sight of red holly berries against fresh white snow sparks joy in your heart. Autumn is certainly not without its charms. Golden light, fall colors, crisp air, and hints of the holiday season can all bring about a certain sense of romance and delight.

In order to fully enjoy this Vata season, it helps to make choices that balance out Vata dosha. So delight in warming, nourishing foods and cozy, grounding practices. Look to the bounty of nature as guidance. Often times, the foods that are in season are also most balancing for both the body and mind.

Greta Kent-Stoll is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner (NAMA), as well as a writer, editor, and Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher. Her Ayurveda practice is based in Asheville, North Carolina and she is the co-owner of Iyengar Yoga Asheville.

The post Vata Season: How To Stay Grounded and Nourished in Autumn appeared first on PIOR Living.

By understanding our natural tendencies and the ways in which we commonly go out of balance, we can improve our chances of making wise decisions that keep us in good health and in step with the seasons.

What Causes a Vata Imbalance?

Vata dosha is dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, and mobile. Therefore, Vata becomes excessive and imbalanced when those qualities accumulate. This is more likely to happen to those with a predominance of Vata in their constitution (prakruti). However, it can happen to anyone. In particular, Vata imbalances are more likely to happen during the fall—the Vata time of year—and during the Vata time of life (the winter years).

There are a number of other factors that can lead to a Vata imbalance. Here are a few of the common culprits.

Eating food that is light, dry, and cold

Since Vata dosha is light, dry, and cold, foods that embody those characteristics will aggravate Vata. If you are a Vata-type and/or if it is Vata season, focus on foods that are heavy, moist, and warm. Cold, dry foods such as salads, dry crackers, popcorn, and dried fruit should be avoided.

Irregular eating habits

Irregular eating habits, meaning eating at odd times and at different times every day, increases the mobile and irregular qualities of Vata dosha. It also disrupts the agni, and imbalanced agni is one of the root causes of illness according to Ayurveda.

Irregular sleep habits

Vata-types need the most sleep of all three doshas. Similarly to eating at irregular times, going to bed and awakening at odd hours is sure to vitiate Vata dosha. Also, lack of sleep will aggravate the delicate nervous system of Vata types, easily leading them into exhaustion.

Traveling

Mobility is characteristic of Vata dosha. Therefore, the movement involved with travel, as well as any disruption in eating and sleeping habit, aggravates Vata dosha.

Excessive exposure to technology

Vata dosha is closely linked to the nervous system and Vata-types tend to have rather sensitive nervous systems. It is especially important for Vata-types to be wary of overexposure to technology. Too much time spent looking at screens or otherwise plugged into electronics can cause sensory overload for Vata-types. These folks are prone to overwhelm and nervous exhaustion, so it is important to set boundaries around technology and to reserve some time for quiet every day.

Vata Imbalance Symptoms

A Vata imbalance can manifest in a number of ways, and some of it depends upon the individual’s weak spots. For example, there may be a genetic tendency for heart issues, circulatory issues, digestive problems, mental health challenges, etc. However, when you observe the dry, light, cold, mobile qualities of Vata becoming exacerbated, this is symptomatic of a Vata imbalance. Here are some common signs of a Vata imbalance.

Physical Symptoms

• Dry skin
• Dry hair
• Dry eyes
• Constipation
• Bloating and Gas
• Weight loss
• Muscle Atrophy
• Twitches
• Cold hands and feet
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Insomnia

Mental Symptoms

• Loss of concentration
• Indecisiveness
• Difficulty following through on projects
• Forgetfulness
• Compromised memory
• Irrational

Emotional Symptoms

• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Impatience

How to Guard Against Vata Imbalance

The means for addressing a Vata imbalance are actually quite intuitive once you understand the qualities of Vata dosha. Since Vata is dry, light, and cold, bring in the opposite. Vata dosha is balanced by the moist, heavy, and warm qualities. These qualities can be enjoyed in the form of foods, beverages, herbs, and lifestyle practices. If you are a Vata-type or simply wish to guard against a Vata imbalance during the Vata time of year, here are a few tips:

• Focus on warm, cooked, moist Vata reducing foods.
• Add warm spices to your foods such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and small amounts of black pepper.
• Do Abhyanga daily with warm sesame oil. This is an incredibly balancing and soothing daily practice for Vata dosha.
• Aim for regular meal times. Be sure not to skip meals, and plan your meals out so that you can make good food choices.
• Practice good sleep hygiene. Go to bed and awaken at roughly the same times daily. Especially during the fall and winter, get plenty of rest.
• Take 1-2 teaspoons of Chyawanprash every morning. Chyawanprash is full of rasayanas that are nourishing and balancing for Vata dosha.
• Take time daily to calm your nervous system and quiet your mind. Yoga, meditation, and time in nature are all wonderful ways to do this.

Vata Season Considerations

The Sanskrit word kala comes to mind when thinking about the doshas and seasonal cycles. Kala means time or timing. Understanding the optimal timing is key to harmonious living. Autumn is the season ruled by Vata dosha. Therefore, as bright summer light turns to autumn gold, tune into this natural shift.

The transition from summer to fall marks the transition from Pitta season to Vata season, and it is wise to make dietary and lifestyle shifts accordingly. If summer is the time for salads, fresh fruit, and cooling foods, fall is the time for root veggies, soups, stews, porridges, and warm, spicy beverages.

This change from summer to fall doesn’t happen overnight. Thus, adjustments to your daily meals can also happen gradually. If you are looking for a guide, pay attention to what’s in season. You may notice that you will see more Vata-balancing fruits and veggies come into season in the fall. Sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and beets are all great additions to an autumn spread. Add nuts and good quality oils such as ghee to your autumn veggies for an added Vata-balancing effect.

In closing, Ayurveda is not a one-size-fits-all system. Knowing your constitution and keeping the flow of the seasons in mind will help keep you balanced all year round.

Greta Kent-Stoll is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner (NAMA), as well as a writer, editor, and Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher. Her Ayurveda practice is based in Asheville, North Carolina and she is the co-owner of Iyengar Yoga Asheville.

The post What is a Vata Imbalance? appeared first on PIOR Living.

Use the guidelines below to learn what to eat and what to avoid in a Vata diet.

Vata Diet Qualities to Favor

Ayurveda recommends that Vata types or people who are likely to experience a Vata imbalance (especially during Vata season) favor warm, heavy, moist and oily foods.

Warm over Cool

Since Vata types are naturally cold, it’s best that they emphasize warmth in their meals. This means Vata types should serve meals warm and try to incorporate spices that bring additional heat to their meals. They should also limit cold foods, like raw vegetables, salads, and cold cereals.

Heavy over Light

Because the Vata dosha is characterized as light, Vata types should incorporate heavier and denser foods. Grains and root vegetables are examples of foods with grounding and stabilizing qualities.

Moist & Oily over Dry

Vata types are encouraged to choose moist and oily foods over dry ones. An easy way to favor these qualities is to cook your foods in high quality fats like ghee and to stay hydrated with water rich vegetables, like zucchini and berries. Examples of dry foods to limit include potatoes, beans, crackers, and popcorn.

Vata Diet Tastes to Favor

Ayurveda recommends that Vata types emphasize sweet, sour and salty tastes in their meals and reduce pungent, bitter and astringent flavors.

Sweet

Vata dosha types with a sweet tooth are in luck. Of course, you need to make sure you’re eating the right sweets, like bananas, apples, grapes, and peaches are all great options to consider.

Sour

Sour foods also help to balance Vata dosha energy levels. One of the best ways to add more sourness to your diet is to add a sour ingredient to your dish. For instance, you might add a little bit of vinegar or sauerkraut to your meals, or squeeze some lemon juice into a glass of water before drinking it.

Salty

Vata types should also consume more salty foods. Just make sure you’re not overdoing it. Getting proper amounts, however, can guard against the digestive issues associated with excess Vata. Additionally, when adding salt to food, stick with natural sea salt.

What Vata Types Should Avoid

Just as there are foods which support energy balance in Vata types, there are also foods you should limit if you’re a Vata type. In particular, it’s important to minimize bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes. Bitter foods include many greens, eggplant, and dark chocolate. To limit pungent foods in your diet, try not to add too many intense and spicy flavors, like chilies and raw onions. Astringent foods to limit in your diet include legumes, cranberries, and lettuce.

Vata Teas and Drinks

The guidelines for a Vata diet also extend to beverages. Vata types should limit cold and carbonated beverages and avoid stimulants, like coffee and alcohol. Stimulants increase Vata’s anxious and scattered tendencies. Instead, try sipping on a cup of warm lemon water or Vata tea. You may also want to melt Chyawanprash in warm water. Chyawanprash is particularly beneficial for Vata types as it builds ojas, immunity and overall strength.

Vata Diet Tips

Keep in mind that eating habits play an essential role in balancing energies.

Don’t skip meals

Sometimes Vata types can become distracted and forget to eat. This can lead to an increase in Vata so try to eat three meals per day.

Eat at consistent times

Vata types benefit from routine and eating three meals at the same time each day. This will encourage regularity with digestion, elimination and sleep.

Eat without distraction

Distracted eating interferes greatly with digestion. Since Vata types are already prone to gas and bloating, it’s important that they avoid screentime and eat in peaceful, calming environments.

Eat your largest meal at noon

When the sun is shining at its highest point, your agni will be strongest and your digestion will be optimal.

Remember these points if you’re a Vata dosha type. As you learn more about the specific Vata foods you should eat and the specific ones to avoid, you’ll be more likely to enjoy a life of wellness and vibrancy. Keep in mind that Vata types are more likely to experience an imbalance during Vata season, so try to maintain diet adherence during that time.

For breakfast inspiration, read Ayurvedic Breakfasts for Vata.

Reviewed by Dr. Jayant Lokhande, MD (Botanical Drugs), MBA (Biotechnology)

The post How To Keep Vata Balanced with a Vata Diet appeared first on PIOR Living.

Vata Dosha Qualities

When one understands that the air and ether elements make up Vata dosha, the light, airy qualities of Vata dosha make perfect sense. Cold, clear, dry, light, mobile, subtle, rough, and irregular are some of the qualities that describe Vata dosha.

Vata Dosha Characteristics

A person with a predominance of Vata dosha in their constitution will exhibit many of the following qualities:

• Light: Vata types tend to have a light frame. They are often thin or slender. Even if they carry more weight, their bone structure will be fine and delicate.
• Dry: Dry skin and hair are characteristic of Vata dosha. This can be balanced by staying hydrated and by taking in plenty of good quality oils. However, dry skin, dry eyes, and dry hair are symptomatic of a Vata imbalance (known as a Vata Vikruti).
• Cold: Vata types naturally run cold. When someone has a Vata imbalance—or vitiation—they may be cold nearly all the time and will likely have cold hands and feet.
• Mobile: Changeable like the wind, itt is common for Vata types to be quite creative—to like to move and travel, and to have many interests. However, sticking to a routine can be challenging for those with a predominance of Vata in their constitution. Also, imbalances such as an irregular appetite are usually indicative of a Vata imbalance.

Vata In and Out of Balance

Every dosha has its pros and cons, and Vata dosha certainly has its bright side. When Vata types are balanced, they can be bubbly, creative, adaptable, and spontaneous. A balanced Vata type can be a true source of effervescent light and inspiration. Conversely, Vata types need to be wary of a Vata excess, which may manifest in the following ways:

• Trouble sleeping or insomnia
• Irregular appetite
• Gas, bloating, and constipation
• Nervousness, anxiety, and feelings of insecurity
• Excessive dryness
• Wasting of bodily tissues (i.e. muscle atrophy)

A Vata imbalance can manifest in myriad other ways, but the above are some common telltale signs that Vata dosha is the root cause of the imbalance.

Vata Times in Nature

Just like the passing of the seasons, the doshas ebb and flow with the passage of time. During each season, there is one dosha that predominates while the other two are less influential. Similarly, the doshas step in and out of the spotlight over the course of 24 hours.

You can think of the rise and fall of the doshas as the daily dosha cycle. The Ayurveda times of day in which Vata dosha is strongest are 2-6 am and 2-6 pm. The early morning (2-6 am) is an ideal time for yoga, pranayama, and meditation. Ether is one of the elements that makes up Vata dosha, and Vata is also subtle in nature. That is one reason why subtle, spiritual practices are well suited for the Vata time of day.

The afternoons from 2-6 pm are also ruled by Vata and are an excellent time for the creative, expansive thinking that comes naturally to Vata-types. This can be a good time for yoga and spiritual practices as well.

Vata Season

The late Autumn to early winter season is ruled by Vata dosha. This means that many Vata qualities are strongest in the fall. As the summer heat wanes, dry, light, mobile, and cool qualities emerge. Therefore, it is particularly important to take extra care to balance Vata dosha as fall approaches. Although Vata types are more likely to become imbalanced, Pitta and Kapha types can also develop Vata imbalances.

Tips for Balancing Vata Dosha

Warmth, oil, and regular routine are incredibly balancing and soothing for Vata dosha since it is light, cool, and dry in nature. Here are some useful tips for keeping Vata dosha balanced:

Eat a Vata Pacifying Diet

When choosing balancing foods, it helps to keep the Vata traits in mind. Since Vata dosha is cool, light, and dry, foods that are warm, heavy, and moist are best. Also, since Vata-types tend to have irregular digestion, foods that are cooked and easy to digest are wise choices.

Soups, stews, and porridges are good food choices for Vata dosha. In addition, foods that possess the sweet, salty, and sour tastes are best for Vata types. These foods tend to be warming, nourishing, and moistening. Plus the sour taste strengthens agni long-term.

Maintain a Consistent Daily Routine

Since Vata dosha is mobile, cultivating stable routines can be a challenge for Vata types. However, it is extremely beneficial for Vata types to aim for some regularity in their day to day life. Vata dosha is related to irregular digestion and insomnia so consistency in habits is key to overall wellness and longevity. This translates as practices such as going to bed at the same time every night, waking at the same time in the morning, exercising at the same time, working at the same time, and keeping consistent meal times. In addition, try to maintain a Vata pacifying morning routine. Some examples of morning activities that balance Vata include:

• Practicing daily Abhyanga with warm sesame oil. Sesame oil is warm and moist. Performing daily Abhyanga will nourish dry skin and have a calming, grounding effect.
• Taking Chyawanprash before breakfast. Chyawanprash is full of nourishing rasayanas that will help keep Vata dosha steady, strong, and balanced.
• Eating a Vata balancing breakfast by about 8am. Vata types don’t do well when they skip meals. They are especially prone to blood sugar crashes and ups and downs in energy, so regular meal times and starting the day fueled up is especially important for Vata dosha.
• Eliminating every morning. Since Vata-types are prone to irregularity, developing routines that encourage regularity in meal times, sleep schedule, and bowel movements will help prevent Vata dosha from becoming vitiated. Starting the day with a warm glass of lemon water and awakening at the same time daily can encourage regularity for Vata dosha.

Emphasize Self-Care and Relaxation

It is easy for Vata-types to get swept up in their various activities and to thus neglect self-care. If you relate to this, remember that you will in fact be more productive, inspired, and present if you take some time every day to care for your mind and body. In much the same way that a well-tended car or bicycle lasts longer and runs smoother, your body is the same way. Take care of your body and it will take care of you.

You may want to set aside dedicated time in the morning and/or evening that is devoted to self-care practices such as Abhyanga, exercise, and the deeper spiritual practices such as yoga and meditation. Vata benefits from consistent routine, so it is best to plan on a daily set time for relaxation and self-care practices. Also, a bit of daily relaxation in the form of nature walks, meditation, Abhyanga, and yoga will do wonders for Vata dosha’s sensitive nervous system.

Stay Warm

Staying warm is important for Vata-types and this is especially true during the Vata time of year. If you have lot of Vata in your constitution you may have noticed that you are the first person to put on a sweater when temperatures start to drop. This is a natural and healthy inclination. (Meaning, enjoy sweater weather to the fullest!) Staying warm with cozy layers, well-heated rooms, and hot baths and showers is soothing for Vata dosha and will help prevent the cold hands and feet that are common amongst Vata-types.

Exercise Gently

All three of the doshas require regular exercise and movement. However, the type of movement that is best for each dosha is a little different. Since Vata-types tend to naturally move quickly and are prone to exhaustion from overexertion, it is best for these airy types to pace themselves. Most Vata-types like to move and will naturally expend a lot of nervous energy by simply going about their day. Thus, movement that is slow and rhythmic is best for Vata dosha. Hiking, swimming, and practicing slower forms of yoga asana are better for Vata-types compared to fast-moving, high-impact forms of exercise.

Vata Yoga: Vata dosha greatly benefits from yoga that regulates apana vayu, the downward flow of energy. Standing poses and poses that create space and tone in the lower abdominal area are very helpful. Also, supported, restorative poses that quiet the nervous system are great and should be practiced regularly.

Avoid Overstimulation

Vata-types tend to have sensitive nervous systems and can be easily overwhelmed. Therefore, it is especially important to avoid overstimulation. If you are predominantly Vata dosha, pay special attention to the warning signs that your nervous system is getting overwhelmed.

If you find yourself feeling irritable or having a hard time thinking clearly, notice the stimuli around you. Sometimes turning off the television or radio and enjoying a few moments of silence can go a long way in resetting your nervous system and clearing your mind. Practicing mindfulness and mediation daily will help keep the mind clear and make it more possible to recognize the early signs of overwhelm.

Minimize Stress

Similarly, it is important for Vata-types not to get in over their heads with projects and commitments. Natural enthusiasts, it is easy for Vata-types to want to take on too much at once. However, their enthusiasm and energy will quickly wane if they become overwhelmed. Learn to prioritize and take on only what is realistic. This will set the stage for greater contentment and success, and will greatly cut back on unnecessary stress.

Leverage the 5 Senses

Ayurveda teaches that we are deeply affected by all that we take in through the five sense. Much in the same way that eating the wrong food can make a person ill, an unsavory scent or disturbing sound can be just as intrusive. The good news is that we can leverage the 5 senses to encourage balance and harmony.

Vata Tastes: The sweet, sour, and salty tastes are best for Vata dosha as these flavors provide warmth, moisture, and nourishment. Foods that are balancing for Vata dosha include oatmeal, ghee, dates, almonds, lemon, squash, and avocado.

Vata Touch: Vata is the most sensitive of the three doshas. It’s also rough in nature. So, soft fabrics are comforting for Vata. Also, touch through massage and other loving, comforting forms of contact help ground Vata’s airy nature.

Vata Scents: Vata-types should favor grounding, soothing scents. Resins such as myrrh and frankincense are helpful. Also, spicy scents such as cinnamon and cardamom provide warmth. Lavender, sandalwood, and clary sage are good for relaxing the mind.

Vata Visuals: Keep living and work spaces warm, well-lit, and well-organized. Too much clutter and chaos will further aggravate Vata dosha’s distraction-prone mind. On the other hand, a space that is too sparse or cool will increase the ether element and will thus vitiate Vata. Gold, green, and earth tones are helpful for warming and grounding Vata dosha.

Vata Sounds: The ears and all body cavities are closely connected to Vata. Therefore, Vata-types should pay special attention to audio sensory input. Loud, harsh sounds can be quite disturbing. Soft music and nature sounds are soothing for Vata dosha. Some Vata-types may benefit from listening to real-life or recorded nature sounds as they drift off to sleep. Also, they may particularly benefit from having dedicated quiet time each day.

Vata Remedies

If you’re feeling the symptoms of a Vata imbalance, begin incorporating the above Vata balancing tips into your daily life. You may also want to try these Vata remedies to quickly re-balance:

• Book a shirodhara session. Shirodhara or the act of pouring warm oil slowly over the the forehead is designed to activate the ajna chakra, pacifying Vata, alleviating stress and anxiety, and providing an overall sense of calm and rest.
• Oil up, inside and out. Perform Abhyanga with special attention to the ears, nostrils and feet, and add extra ghee and oil to your meals.
• Take a steam. If you’re feeling particularly cold and dry, follow your abhyanga practice with steam therapy (swedana) or a hot bath or shower.
• Make a cup of Vata tea. With the right herbs and ingredients, a cup of tea can help bring the Vata dosha back in balance.
• Pause for meditation and pranayama practice. Meditation and pranayama are extremely effective at helping to calm and soothe the Vata dosha.

Greta Kent-Stoll is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner (NAMA), as well as a writer, editor, and Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher. Her Ayurveda practice is based in Asheville, North Carolina and she is the co-owner of Iyengar Yoga Asheville.

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Here’s everything you need to know about brewing the perfect cup of Vata tea.

Ingredients in Vata Tea

When making a Vata balancing tea, it’s important to select ingredients which have qualities opposite to Vata’s cold, dry and mobile nature. Foods, herbs and spices that are Vata balancing are warm, heavy, dense, moist, oily, sweet, sour, and salty.

Vata Kitchen Herbs and Spices

The good news is that many of these ingredients can be found in your kitchen cupboards. Try experimenting with any of the herbs and spices below:

• Ajwan
• Allspice
• Anise
• Basil
• Bay Leaf
• Black Pepper
• Caraway
• Cardamom
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Dill
• Fennel
• Ginger
• Hing (Asafoetida)
• Licorice
• Mace
• Marjoram
• Mint
• Nutmeg
• Oregano
• Paprika
• Parsley
• Peppermint
• Pippali
• Poppy Seeds
• Rosemary
• Saffron
• Salt
• Savory
• Sesame seeds
• Tarragon
• Thyme
• Turmeric
• Vanilla

Vata Medicinal Herbs

Many people also like to enhance the healing benefits of their tea by adding Ayurvedic medicinal herbs. Ashwagandha, for instance, is an adaptogenic herb that is particularly beneficial for Vata types as it calms the nervous system and helps focus the mind. Other herbs to consider include Bala, Calamus, Kapikacchu, Haritaki and Holy Basil. An Ayurvedic practitioner can help you find the best ones for your constitution.

Vata Sweeteners

The Vata dosha is pacified by sweet tastes, so consider adding the following Vata pacifying sweeteners to your tea:

• Date Sugar
• Raw Honey (Note: Add after tea has cooled and never heat or boil)
• Jaggery or raw sugar
• Maple Syrup
• Molasses
• Rice Syrup
• Turbinado

Vata Milks

Dairy products and alternative milk products are generally quite balancing for Vata, especially when they are served warm. The following milks make excellent additions to a cup of Vata tea:

• Almond milk
• Cashew milk
• Cow’s milk
• Goat’s milk
• Hemp milk
• Rice milk
• Soy milk
• Oat milk

Don’t forget about ghee! Ghee is particularly good for balancing Vata as it is sweet, heavy, soothing, and oily. Tip: Try using a frother to make the ghee in your tea extra creamy!

Vata Tea Recipes

Although you can experiment with the above herbs and spices to create your own Vata balancing tea, here are several examples of simple, tried and true tea recipes for the Vata dosha.

Ginger Tea

Fresh ginger root is a wonderful everyday tea to support the Vata type. It warms up the body and stimulates digestion. If you’re looking to incorporate additional Vata herbs and spices to, try this recipe:

• 1/4 teaspoon ginger (freshly grated)
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamon (ground)
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon licorice
• 2 cups boiled water

Add boiled water to the herb and spice mixture. Steep the tea, covered, for five minutes. Strain and discard the herbs and spices.

CCF Tea

If you’re suffering from common Vata ailments of bloating, constipation and gas, you may want to sip on some CCF tea. CCF tea stands for cumin, coriander, and fennel, and is a popular Ayurveda remedy for digestion. Vata types can also add a teaspoon of ghee and salt to help lubricate and soothe the gut.

• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 2 cups boiled water
• Optional: Add teaspoon of ghee and salt, and/or other Vata balancing ingredients

Pour boiled water atop the ingredients. Let steep for 5 minutes, then strain.

Warming Spiced Milk

In Ayurveda, warm milk is a common remedy for anxiety and sleeplessness. If you’re having trouble relaxing, try making this nourishing and soothing tea:

• 1 cup milk of choice (or 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup water)
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
• ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1-2 teaspoon ghee
• ½ teaspoon of honey
• Optional: Vata balancing ingredients, like saffron, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and black pepper

Boil the milk and then pour atop all of the ingredients except honey. Mix and then let steep for 5 minutes. Add honey and enjoy.

Chyawanprash Pick Me Up Tea

Although coffee is beloved by many Vatas, it’s actually best if Vata types avoid or limit their consumption. That’s because coffee has a stimulating effect on the body and mind, which can increase Vata’s airy and mobile nature, leading to anxiety and restlessness.

Instead, Vatas can drink Chyawanprash tea. Chyawanprash contains adaptogens, which are botanicals that help your body adapt to stress and provide stable energy without side effects. If you’re looking for a gentle pick me up in the morning, try mixing one to two teaspoons of Chyawanprash in warm water.

For more Vata food and beverage inspiration, read Vata Dosha Food List. For more Ayurvedic tea recipes, read about Pitta tea and Kapha tea.

Reviewed by Dr. Jayant Lokhande, MD (Botanical Drugs), MBA (Biotechnology)

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Let’s take a look at Ayurvedic morning routines for Vata dosha, keeping in mind these wise words from Ayurvedic scholar and practitioner, Dr. David Frawley (2000, p. 59):

“The basic rule is—whatever we can do for ourselves to improve our own health is more effective in the long run than what another person can do for us.”

Ayurvedic Morning Routine for Vata

Vata dosha is light, cool, dry, and erratic in nature, so routines that balance Vata are warming, grounding and nourishing. Creating a morning routine for Vata dosha combines some tried and true Ayurvedic practices, as well as a few suggestions particularly tailored for Vata dosha.

Awaken before sunrise

You can read my post, Ayurveda Daily Routine, for a deeper explanation on the importance of arising before sunrise—or at least with the sun. The early morning hours are the Vata time of day, which is an ideal time for practices such as asana, pranayama, and meditation. Awakening late in the morning (the Kapha time) will tend to produce feelings of lethargy and grogginess.

However, of all the doshas, Vata types need the most sleep, so a word of advice for Vata readers: make sure you are in bed with lights out by 10 pm so that you get the rest you need.

Eliminate after awakening

It is important for all types to have a bowel movement once or twice per day. Eliminating in the morning is ideal, as it is helpful to rid the body of toxins so that you can start the day feeling light and fresh. However, it is especially important for Vata types to focus on cultivating regularity when it comes to bowel movements, as they are most prone to constipation and irregularity in this manner.

Bathe before asana and/or meditation

Again, it is helpful to start the day feeling cleansed and refreshed. However, if you prefer to bathe in the afternoon and evening, at least wash your face and hands before the morning meal. Also, Vata types especially benefit from abhyanga (oil massage) before bathing. This practice can be done in the morning or evening for Vata dosha.

Tongue scrape before the morning meal

Use a steel or copper tongue scraper every morning to clear the tongue of ama. This is best done sometime before the morning meal, and tongue scraping before you brush your teeth is an easy way to remember this part of your morning routine. Tongue scraping stimulates the agni and digestive organs. Plus, it is a good opportunity to observe any changes, such as cracks and scallops, on the tongue.

Eat breakfast before 8 am

Vata types need to eat regularly, so they should not wait too long to break the fast. If you awaken with the sun, eating by 8 am is a good standard. Have a spoonful of nourishing Chyawanprash before breakfast to help stimulate agni and set the tone for the day.

Stay Grounded and Shine Bright

Vata types tend to be bubbly and creative. At their best they are inspiring, and at their worst they are nervous, erratic, and self-destructive. Creating a supportive Ayurvedic morning routine for Vata will help Vata types start the day grounded and refreshed, so that they can shine brighter all day long.

Greta Kent-Stoll is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner (NAMA), as well as a writer, editor, and Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher. Her Ayurveda practice is based in Asheville, North Carolina and she is the co-owner of Iyengar Yoga Asheville.

References

Frawley, D. (2000). Ayurvedic healing: A comprehensive guide. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus Press.

Lad, V. (2009). Ayurveda: The science of self-healing. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus Press.

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Ayurveda states that, “like increases like,” meaning we can create balance and harmony by bringing in opposing energies via our diet, exercise, and lifestyle.

Vata is one of the three energies or doshas of Ayurveda and is comprised of the elements of air and space. When Vata is in excess in our bodies, it can cause joint issues, digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and constipation, as well as dry skin, hair, and nails. When Vata is in excess in our minds, it can cause us to feel worried, anxious, unfocused, and indecisive. When Vata is balanced within us, we feel joyful, excited, creative, and flexible.

In nature Vata is like the wind, as it is constantly moving and scattering things around. Vata is called the King of the doshas because it is the moving force behind everything, including the other two doshas, Pitta and Kapha.

Depending on the season, the weather, particular life events, everyone experiences excess Vata energy at one time or another, but they can avoid the discomfort it can cause by balancing the Vata dosha.

Balancing Vata Dosha

Here are four simple tips for balancing the Vata dosha:

1. Eat warmer and more grounding foods.

Foods that are heavier in nature, cooked, and filled with spices will help keep the body warm, the mind focused, and the digestive fire stoked.

2. Move with mindfulness and intention.

Because the Vata dosha is like the wind, constantly moving and scattering things around, it is necessary to move with mindfulness. Whether it be our day to day actions or our exercise routine, mindful movement helps prevent injury and enhances concentration.

3. Engage in a yoga practice that encourages stability.

A yoga practice for balancing the Vata dosha should focus on building strength in the lower back and hips, where Vata tends to accumulate. It should focus on building heat and strength in the abdominal region. Building strength will help protect the lower back and building heat will help kindle Agni, promoting healthy digestion.

4. Practice Abyhanga (Warm Oil Massage).

The ritual of abyhanga suggests massaging your entire body. You should begin at the crown of your head and work down toward your feet. While performing, you should massage up along your arms and legs (moving toward your heart), massage in an upward circular motion around face and joints, and massage in a clockwise motion around your stomach and chest.

Enjoy a warm bath or shower shortly after. It’s recommended that you rinse off or bathe in only water and use a mild soap on the “strategic” areas. When done bathing, towel dry. Keep a special towel for drying off after your abhyanga because it will eventually get ruined, due to the accumulation of oil.

The benefits of abyhanga include: increased circulation, lubrication of the joints, a nourished nervous system, elimination of toxins from the body, reduced pain and stiffness, increased energy levels, and soft and healthy skin.

Angela Glaz
Ayurvedic Specialist and 500 Hour E-RYT

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