Our bodies have three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) in unique proportions. These are biological energies that are responsible for all the functions of our body. In Ayurveda, we call your natural state of "balance" Prakriti.
If one or more of these doshas moves away from their natural state of balance, we will develop symptoms and then disease.
Qualities of Vata dosha
Vata dosha is made up of the elements air and either. Being airy and light, it is responsible for the movement in the body and mind.
Recognizing the vata qualities within yourself will h
elp keep this dosha balanced whether vata is your dominant dosha or not. In the chart on the left, you will find the physical and emotional characteristics of a vata dominant person.
Recognising the imbalance
We all have all three doshas in our body, and one combination is not better or worse than another. Knowing your natural state of balance will help you recognize and interpret the signs of imbalance. For example, when vata dosha has exceeded its normal levels, you can start experiencing skin dryness, anxious feelings, constipation, trouble sleeping, and an irregular cycle or no menstruation.
Five tips to balance you vata dosha
Create consistency in all parts of life
Get enough restful sleep
Avoid moving around too much
Keep warm
Follow vata dietary guidelines
1. Create consistency in all parts of life
Modern living is often ungrounding; we are running around doing multiple things at once. Like eating while driving or while watching TV. Try doing one thing at a time and having regular sleeping and eating times.
2.Get enough restful sleep
Vata dominant people tend to be light sleepers. To keep vata balanced, it is important to have a restful sleep. Meaning at least 8 hours a night. Going in and out of bed at the same time each day will help to keep vata balanced.
3.Avoid moving around too much
Since vata is movement more movement, so regular traveling will aggravate your vata. When it's your job to travel, incorporate all the other tips into your travel schedule to keep your vata as low as possible.
4. Keep warm
Vata's are naturally thin in built and tend to lose weight quickly, making it harder to stay warm. Make sure you not only stay warm on the inside but also the outside. Have warming foods and drinks but also dress warmly.
Warm, heavy, and liquidy foods are favorable. Vatas go well on well-cooked foods, heavier grains, and enough augmenting vegetables.
Add spices to your cooking. Preferred spices: Cumin, mustard seeds, fresh ginger, and turmeric.
Go for sweet, sour, and salty tastes. Use less bitter and astringent tastes.
Cooking with lots of liquid and oils is preferred over dry cooking methods like baking, grilling, or dehydrating.
Using the 60/40 augmenting/extractive method will keep your vata balanced.
"Like attracts like, and opposite brings balance."
In Ayurveda, there is a saying like attracts like and the opposite brings balance. When experiencing a vata excess, you will naturally crave bitter and astringent foods. BUT these are cravings of your imbalance. To heal this vata imbalance, it is essential to introduce the opposite qualities. Therefore if you are experiencing an excess of vata qualities (light, quick, cold, and dry), you will need to introduce food and exercise with the opposite qualities (heavy, slow, oily, and soft)
Always start with one thing at a time. Implement it into your daily life and then when that feels nice and you no longer think about it, then pick something new.