Timeless tips to support your balance, now
Author: Linda Sinden Date Posted:28 April 2020
As Autumn gives way to Winter take a moment to check how balanced Vata Dosha is within you. Then read on further to see what you can do...
Vata Dosha in Me
Vata is the most important of the three doshas - Vata, PItta and Kapha. Keeping it in a state of balance is essential - especially in Autumn and Winter and when combating stress such as we are experiencing now with COVID 19, overload and the aging process. Below are typical characteristics of Vata, along with common signs of Vata imbalance along with a list of typical causative factors. As you review these lists consider for yourself.. How much does this apply to me right now?
It is very Vata to
- be hungry at any time of the day or night
- love excitement and constant change
- be sensitive to cold, dry, windy weather
- go to bed at different times of the night
- skip meals and keep irregular habits in general
- digest food well one day and poorly the next
- tend towards exhaustion from overworking or over-exercising
- display bursts of emotion that are short lived and quickly forgotten
- spend money quickly and find it hard to save
- be highly social, and like to mix with all types of people
Check below to see how balanced Vata Dosha is in you at the moment.
Common signs of Vata imbalance
Are you experiencing
- Worries, an overactive mind
- Sleep problems
- Difficulty breathing
- Dry coughs, sore throats, earaches
- Generalised fatigue
- Slow or rapid digestion with gas, intestinal cramps, or poor assimilation of nutrients
- Intestinal cramps, menstrual discomfort or lower back pain
- Constipation and gas to diarrhoea, in a changeable manner
- Dry or rough skin
- Nervousness, shakiness
- Poor blood flow or cold hands or feet
- Stress-related problems
How does imbalance come about?
There is usually a pattern of behaviour that will over time throw Vata dosha out of balance. Below is a list of behaviours that can cause or contribute to Vata imbalance. What applies to you currently?
- Under stress and respond with fear, worry and anxiety
- Physical and mental exhaustion from a period of overdoing it
- You chain smoke or suffer from alcohol or drug addiction
- You have had a sudden change in your life or the season is changing
- Your diet includes a lot of cold, dry, raw foods
- You eat a lot of bitter, spicy or astringent foods (salads, beans, raw green leafy vegetables)
- You habitually skip meals or are dieting
- You have been sleeping poorly for more than a few days
- You have taken a trip recently
- The weather is cold, dry and windy (autumn and winter)
Maintaining Balance
Vata is balanced by adopting regularity, favouring warm clothes,keeping your environment warm and choosing warm food. Also as Vata is dry by nature, drinking warm water, worry free tea, and including ghee, oil and Vata Churna in your food, along with a daily self-massage over the body are beneficial. It is the simple habitual choices made each day that over time, make all the difference.
- Adopt a regular daily routine of early to bed by 9.30 to 10.00 pm. If you would benefit by being more settled or relaxed prior to bed, drink a strong cup of Slumber Time Tea 30 minutes or so before bed. If you have difficulty going to sleep take 2 tablets of Blissful Sleep at bedtime. If on the other hand, you find you wake in the night and have difficulty going back to sleep, then before bed take 2 tablets of Deep Rest.
- Eat three meals a day at regular times. Choose warm foods freshly prepared where you can. Best foods to favour are Vata balancing foods> Also drink 3 or more cups of settling teas like Worry Free Tea during the day.
- Start the morning at a slow pace to balance the tendency of Vata to be quick and changeable which in excess can lead to becoming unsettled, restless and ungrounded. Establish a regular time of waking and getting out of bed, follow with a self massage using Vata Massage Oil before bath or shower. A morning massage helps to soothe a sensitive nervous system during cold times and is great for circulation. Then do some Sun salutations yoga asanas, followed by Pranayama - alternate nostril breathing. See how to do this here:
- Then practise meditation or take a quiet time of reflection or prayer. Practising Transcendental Meditation is a great stress soothe. Stress Relief is a very helpful herbal to take during Vata season as it provides nourishment, helps to settle the changeable nature of Vata and is an adaptogen. Take 1-2 tablets of Stress Relief 30 minutes before breakfast and evening meal
- Sip warm water or herbal tea every 30 minutes through the day and be sure to stop for a warm lunch at midday. Where you can make lunch your main meal of the day or aim to have more quantity at lunch and lighter quantity in the evening.
- In the late afternoon take some quiet time to settle after the work day and to regroup for the evening. If you practise Transcendental Meditation it is a great way to transition and energise for your evening activities.
- Switch off from electronic stimulation (computer, mobile, ipad or tablets, game consoles) by 8.30pm and favour relaxing music, softer lights, warm baths and winding down activities. At bedtime take 1-2 Digest Tone to support regular elimination and to gently cleanse the deeper tissues while you sleep. Digest Tone can be taken at bedtime as a daily habit for many years, to support health, resistance to disease and longevity.
Wishing you the bliss of balanced Vata Dosha now and as winter settles in.
Linda Sinden and the Get Balance Team etc
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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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