What is the Vata form of Dosha (king of Doshas)?
According to the fundamentals of Ayurveda, our human body comprises three different kinds of Doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The five eternal substances- air, water, fire, space, earth holistically combine to form our body and they do so by formulating 3 different forms of energies or life forces called Doshas.
The word Vata is derived from Sanskrit referring to ‘to move’. As this form of Dosha corresponds to energy and movement, it encompasses space and air. It governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, digestion, pulsation of the heart. When in balance it promotes flexibility and creativity and in imbalance, it generates fear and anxiety.
Relationship between fall season and Vata?
The beauty and essence of nature lies in its dynamic seasons. Experiencing different weather patterns throughout the year is rejuvenating and soothing if aligned correctly with your everyday lifestyle. One such season is Fall, transitioning into cold, erratic, dry, gloomy winters as trees shed leaves while changing colors to brown and gold coupled with cold and dry winds transcending autumn into chilling snow. Since, similar qualities are shared by Vata dosha and according to Ayurveda, ‘like increases like’ , fall is considered to be a Vata season.
As stated earlier, to rejoice every moment every season, curating your routine according to what your body demands, goes a long way in sustaining and maintaining holistic wellbeing for a peaceful life. Ayurveda states that opposites attract to nullify and balance the interaction and exchange between the internal and external factors, henceforth cold, dry, rough and erratic state of kapha season can be evened out with warmth, oiliness, deep nourishment through sources such as foods, beverages,meditation, loving relationships, stability and groundedness.
How to recognize Vata imbalance?
As erratic and unpredictable Vata season, it is crucial to take care and stay in touch with any bodily vata imbalance susceptible. Maintaining a regular routine to avoid signs of stress, anxiety or bloating is crucial. Certain signs that one can ponder upon incase suspectible of vata imbalance are-
- Dry, rough and cracked skin
- Constantly restless and agitated
- Fear, anxiety and loneliness
- Bloated, gassy and constipated
- Fatigued and mind in constant whirl
- Joint and muscle pain
- Vaginal dryness
- Losing focus
Remedies for Vata imbalance?
Diet-
Nourishing oily food rich in fat and proteins served hot in ghee and spices aids in sustaining moisture in your body to evade dryness. Enhance your taste buds with sweet, sour and salty food with spices in taste such as cummin, ginger and cinnamon.
Breakfast meals should be inclusive of oatmeals, cereals. Lunch and dinner can preferably be steamed vegetables, grains, chicken and eggs coupled with lots of warm soup everyday to keep you hydrated and warm. Dairy products and nuts are also beneficial as they keep you warm and full yet light in nature. Avoid raw vegetables, frozen and bitter taste in meals. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, potatoes, beans and popcorns should be consumed in reduced quantities and well cooked or soaked as needed. As vata season requires nourishment, so avoid fasting.
Essential oils and massage-
Experiencing rough and dry skin throughout this chilling season is common. But what is not common is a balanced routine of early morning bath followed by some oil massage. Considering a warm and hot shower to awaken your spirit followed by an oil massage to retain the lost moisture. Restore and sustain your vata balance with oils such as sandalwood, cinnamon, rose and jasmine with base oils such as sesame and avacodo.
Yoga and meditation-
Waking up early to awaken your spirit in a cool, calm and peaceful environment is a task during this season. As much as we enjoy staying in our comforting blankets throughout the day, it is advisable to not to sit in the same position and location all day. One of the many reasons why vata season is viewed as erratic, as much as it invites laziness and sometimes activeness as well, with no middle ground. Hence it’s important to meditate and practice yoga alongside breathing exercises to stay focussed and balanced. Vata is aggravated by fast activities, prefer slow, calm and soothing forms of exercises to strengthen your physical and mental wellbeing.
Hence, seasonal changes require an alteration in your overall routine inclusive of your diet, sleep schedule and physical activity. Align yourself with the changing pattern of your external environment to avoid disruption of exchange in internal and external engagement to achieve stability, gratitude and peace.
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