What is vata?
Vata dosha is a combination of Air + Space, Air’s natural quality is to move, to move it needs space, so all movements in our body is controlled by vata for example breathing, blood circulation, mental and physical activity, passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract, joint function, urination and bowel movement, heart pumping, eye movements etc.
Characteristics of Vata
Vata is cold, light, dry, rough, brittle and subtle. It is seated in the colon, and in the hollow places throughout the body.
When Vata is in balance gives – enthusiasm, Alertness, sound sleep, good blood circulation and bowel movement, adequate tissue formation, good sleep, flexibility and normal movement throughout the body.
When vata is out of balance – will cause anxiety, insomnia, osteoporosis, Hyper tension, arthritis, constipation, dry/rough skin, headache, back/joint pain, cold hands and feet, etc.
Vata-dominated Prakriti or constitution tend to be thin and either short or tall
They talk, and move quickly, always busy with activity, they have short memory and attention span
They generally dislike cold, dry weather
They don’t sweat much
They may find their appetite varies widely and so may have trouble maintaining weight
They love variety and does not like routine
To Balance
Keep warm and calm
keep a regular routine
Food should be warm to eat
avoid light and uncooked food
Practice Hatha yoga which help you to ground and bring stability both physically and mentally
Avoid taking cold baths or being under the fan as cold is dry
Foods to balance vata
warm, oily, hot, soft, cooked with water and enough spices and ginger as it keeps them warm
Food that should be avoided
Bitter, pungent, Raw food
Fruits – all sour fruits
Vegetables – potatoes, raw onions and tomatoes
Food that is favorable
Fruits – bananas, coconut, apples, melons, mango, papaya, pineapple, avocado, apricots
Vegetables – should be cooked well, carrots, okra, beetroot, sweet patatoes
Grains – Oats, Rice, wheat
herbal and spiced tea on regular basis is good
Vata is one of the dosha which is a combination of Air + Space, Here are some food tips to balance during Summer/spring & Winter/Fall
1.Half an hour before meal during summer take herbal tea – cardamom, ashwagandha, triphala
During winter – hot milk with ghee, fresh ginger, turmeric, honey
2. Breakfast – During summer – Cream of rice with ghee, cardamom and cane sugar, Half cup boiled mild with cinnamon and cane sugar
During winter – Oatmeal or cream of wheat with ghee, cardamom and maple syrup
3.Snack – During summer – sweet fruit or cane sugar, sweet with cardamom
During winter almond butter on chapatis with cardamom and ghee, herb tea
4. Lunch – During summer – White basmati rice, split yellow mung dal, ghee, sweet potato, lassi
During winter – same but add whole wheat chapatis
5. Snack – During summer – sesame seed butter, fennel and ghee on chapati
During winter – baked apple with cinnamon and honey, herb tea
6. Dinner – During summer – artichoke pasta, ghee, squash, cardamom, lassi
During winter – barley/garbanzo soup, ghee, cabbage, lassi, cardamom
7. Snack – During summer – hot ginger licorice tea with honey and ghee
During winter – Boiled milk, ghee, fresh ginger honey
If you don’t know your dosha yet, take a dosha test here http://ruhyoga.com/quiz1/
