Fall carries in with it the qualities of vata. The cold dry wind picks up and causes movement of the air element that can aggravate Vata doshas.
Keeping your vata dosha in balance will help you keep your immune system strong, and keep you grounded, and energized and into the winter
PHYSICAL SIGNS OF A VATA IMBALANCE:
• cold hands and feet
• irregular appetite
• constipation
• gas and bloating
• restlessness
• weakness
MENTAL SIGNS OF A VATA IMBALANCE:
• spacey, scattered
• nervousness
• fear
• feeling empty
• racing mind
• worry
Here are some guidelines to soothe vata:
ROUTINES:
Waking up early when the air is calm and still.
Eat at roughly the same time everyday.
Gentle Yoga- Sun salutation, mountain, warrior 1 and 2, tree pose, forward bend, backward bend, spinal twist, camel, cobra, cow and cat pose.
Dress warm and in fall colours- oranges, red, yellow, white.
Avoid fast movements- driving fast, loud music, running in wind.
Gentle and strengthening exercises- hiking, swimming, biking, yoga and tai chi.
Abhyanga massage with warm sesame oil before shower can go a long way to ground vata.
Pranayama/ alternate nostril breathing and meditation.
Vata types need to avoid fasting during this season to prevent undernourishment.
Apply ghee to navel and soles of feet at bedtime if suffering from dry skin and lips.
FOODS:
In general eating warm, oily and grounding easy to digest foods (kitchari). Adding warming spices and favouring sweet, sour and salty tastes will help keep vata stable. Reduce raw, cold and bitter vegetables.
Breakfast- oatmeal, cream of rice, stewed apple or pear- cook in ghee and/or milk.
Lunch and dinner- grains, steamed or cooked vegetables, soups, stews.
- Increase protein and fat sources
- Protein: eggs, meat, tofu, legumes and lentils.
- Fats: nuts and seeds, coconut or olive oil, avocado
- Increase Underground Vegetables: sweet potato, turnips, beets, squash, pumpkin, carrots
- Reduce bitter vegetables: kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, bitter melon, arugula, cabbage, cauliflower- ensure they are cooked with warming spices.
- Fruits- apples and pears (cooked), peaches, grapes, avocado, mango, dates, figs, banana
Spices- asafoetida, anise, bay leaf, cinnamon, clove, cumin, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, garlic, mustard seeds, nutmeg, oregano, parsley, rosemary, turmeric, saffron, dill,
Oils to favor- ghee, sesame oil, olive oil, flax oil, almond oil.
Teas: CCF tea (coriander, cumin, fennel equal parts), or ginger-cinnamon tea. Avoid caffeine after dinner.
- Warming and soothing bedtime tea- warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom.
Herbs: dashamoola, ashwagandha, haritaki, triphala, vidari.
Interested in knowing you DOSHA TYPE?
Comments