Holiday Fun
Author: Linda Sinden Date Posted:24 September 2018
Now daylight hours are getting longer and the days warmer, thoughts of summer holidays or an overseas trips are coming to mind. What are your holiday plans?
Recently some clients asked me what to do to minimise the vata aggravating impact of international flights. This lead me to think that my answer may be of interest to you all.
First, let’s understand what we mean by the vata aggravating impact of flying.
- Vata dosha is predominantly made up of the space and air elements, which have dynamic properties and effects. This dynamic effect is expressed in the body through Vata’s key qualities of dryness, roughness, coldness, coolness, lightness, subtlety or minuteness, movement, clarity, non-stickiness, coarseness or brittleness.
- When one or more of these qualities becomes increased beyond the point that is comfortable within you, then imbalance starts to accumulate. First it increases in the home of Vata - the colon. As Vata imbalance accumulates it overflows from the colon and becomes aggravated as it moves about the body and mind causing further symptoms of vata imbalance.
- Vata controls movement or motion to guide breathing, blood circulation, passing of food through the digestive tract and the sending and receiving of nerve impulses from the brain. Vata is the most important dosha and keeping it in a state of balance is essential - especially when combating stress, overload and the aging process.
- Flying is of itself an activity that involves movement. Additionally it occurs within the wide open space above the earth within a pressurised cabin with the drying effect of air-conditioning. This combination of influences increases the qualities of Vata within you. Ayurveda advises that similar qualities will increase and opposite qualities help to decrease. Therefore the following travel tips aim to balance the impact of Vata prior travel, during travel and immediately after travel so you have a great holiday!
Travel Tips
- Prior the day of travel aim to get 8-9 hours of undisturbed sleep.
- Prior to leaving for the airport give yourself a 20 minute massage with sesame oil or Vata Massage Oil. Apply the oil and leave on for 20 minutes so it really soaks in to settle and ease Vata through calming the nerves that sit under the skin. Follow with a warm bath or shower.
- Take 1 tablet of Stress Relief every 4 hours. This herbal helps smooth out the stress of flying and supports relaxation and ease.
- Sip Vata tea or Tranquilitea regularly - take 1-2 sips to ¼ - ½ a cup every 15-30 minutes.
- Take a little Sesame oil or Vata Massage Oil on the plane with you. Apply a little to your feet with a light massage soon after arriving on the plane. Then place some cosy and comfortable socks on your feet for the duration of the journey. Apply a little sesame oil to each nostril to protect them from becoming dry.
- Breathe Easy Essential Oil - place 1 drop in a cup of hot water and drink prior your first meal to help protect your stomach from spoilt food. Place a drop on your clothing or a handkerchief so you are able to breathe the cleansing aroma regularly.
- Eat when hungry. Where you can take 1 tablet of Digest Tone prior your main meals.
- When you arrive at your destination prior sleep have an oil massage followed by a warm bath or shower. Take a warm soothing drink such as Vata tea.
- Prior bed take 2 tablets of Stress Relief and a cup of warm milk
- If you arrive in a country where night is a few hours away, if comfortable, be gently active until sunset or until 7pm. Then go to bed. This can help you merge more comfortably with local time.
- Diet: During travel and for the first 1-2 days Vata is likely to be more sensitive. Therefore favour warm food and drink, root vegetables, wholegrain and tree-ripened fruit. See also Vata Balancing Diet
- Then allow yourself to merge with the cuisine of the culture and the season of the land, according to your taste and preference.
Wishing you the bliss of balance as you travel!
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Linda Sinden has been a practising Maharishi Ayurveda Consultant since 1990 and is a regular contributor to our weekly Insights. She has a practice in Auckland, New Zealand and also provides phone or Skype sessions for those who need assistance, but don’t have a consultant in their vicinity. Email: lindasinden@orbislife.co.nz Skype: Linda.Sinden |
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