Ayurvedic Tips For Vata

VATA | Air + Ether

Season | Late fall to late winter 
Time | 2:00 - 6:00 am/pm 
Time of life | Age 50 - 75+ years

Vata is dry, light, cold, rough, subtle/pervasive, mobile, and clear. Vata governs movement. Any bodily motion—chewing, swallowing, nerve impulses, breathing, muscle movements, thinking, peristalsis, bowel movements, urination, menstruation—requires balanced Vata. When Vata is out of balance, any of these movements may be unfavorably affected.

CHARACTERISTICS OF VATA
dry / light / cold / rough / subtle / mobile / clear

The key qualities of Vata and fall alike are dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, and clear.  When these qualities are in a balanced state, the Vata person experiences excellent health, stability, creativity, and freedom. Ruled by the subtle body, the Vata person has the greatest potential for attaining a spiritual life and experiencing love and sensuality on a spiritual plane. Full of imagination, these individuals tend to possess an alert, excited, and impulsive disposition. Vata is derived from the root word “to move”, and this is what Vata individuals do very well! They enjoy exercise, adventure, travel, and continual stimulation.  They favor professions involving travel, change, and flexibility. They tend to make money quickly but spend it quickly. Vata people are blessed with the gift of gab. The Vata type is naturally light and delicate with dry eyes and skin. With irregular appetites and thirst, Vata bodies often experience digestive and absorption problems.

SIGNS OF INCREASED VATA

During the fall season, due to the higher level of air and ether elements in the environment, Vata people become more susceptible to air-related ailments. When the Vata qualities accumulate within the body and mind due to wrong diet, lifestyle, and season, Vata accumulates and begins to manifest various imbalances. Vata imbalances may manifest within the body as constipation, flatulence, dry skin, insomnia, arthritis, or sciatica. When out of balance emotionally, the light quality of Vata provokes fear, anxiety, loneliness, and insecurity. Special care must be taken in order for them to remain grounded, warm and confident. In general, to balance Vata, we learn to apply its opposite qualities to any given imbalance. For example, if a Vata person is experiencing increased dry quality in their body, then it would be beneficial to choose warming and nourishing foods, remedies, and practices. Harmonizing Vata during the cool, dry fall season requires observing life from a grounded and compassionate approach.

VATA PACIFYING YOGA

Pacifying Vata during the cool/dry fall-winter seasons requires living in harmony with the inherent rhythms of Nature and observing patience and compassion with ourselves, others, and the environment.

Practice this mini-yoga sequence upon awakening each day; Apanasana (Knees to Chest Post), Jathara Parivartanasana (Belly Twist Pose), and Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose) with a focus on breathing down into the lower belly and moving out any trapped air or heat that accumulates in the large intestines to promote proper elimination and digestion. The emphasis throughout this practice can be on softening your lower abdominal cavity, grounding your feet into the earth, building strength and stability, and allowing yourself sufficient rest after your practice.

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