I know it seems early to be talking about fall but it will be here before we know it. And with the weather so messed up, sometimes we get chilly winds and cold weather early in the year. We live in a vata-infested world; we are over worked, move to quickly, are Erratic/compulsive, to intense, and are living in our head. Any or all of these things will cause an imbalance in the system, mostly to the Vata. But that is not all; change in the season or in the weather can also cause an imbalance in the vata.
As the cool chill of winter descends, do you find yourself more anxious, flighty, or forgetful than usual? It could be that your vata dosha is out of balance. The most likely of the doshas to slip out of balance in any season, vata is especially prone to aggravation during fall and early winter, when nature delivers an abundance of vatalike qualities in the form of blustery winds, cool temperatures, and dry air.
Composed of the elements air and space, vata is the subtlest of the three doshas. Travel, weather changes, insufficient sleep, fragmented schedules, and excessive mental or sensory stimulation of any kind can all challenge vata’s stability.
Vata is in charge of all movement in the body and mind. It enables our fluids to flow, our nerve impulses to fire, our thoughts to process, and our wastes to pass. Vata keeps all of our systems going and contributes to great vitality.
Because of the vata’s association with the nervous system, its state is often reflected in our mental health. When vata is in balance, we tend to be enthusiastic, imaginative, funny, quick to learn, and spiritually minded. But the excess vata of late fall and early winter can leave us susceptible to feeling more fearful, scattered, or worried than usual. Physically, pain is the most obvious indication of excess vata; other common signs are variable appetite, insomnia, dry skin, and constipation.
Keep a nurturing lifestyle, stick to a daily routine, scheduling in more down time than usual. Aim for lights out by 10 and get a full eight hours sleep.
Prepare warm, moist foods and sit sown to eat at regular times. Sweet, sour, and salty tastes calm vata. Cooked whole grains, root veggies, and savory soups are good dietary mainstays.
A few times a week, perform a full-body massage with warm oil, to nourish and protect the skin, a highly vata-sensitive organ.
Moderate, consistent exercise regulates vata’s mobile nature. In your yoga practice, include simple seated forward bends, and some supported back bends. If you’re feeling over stimulated or fatigued, do restorative posed to encourage deep relaxation.
Nancy Adams, Certified Thai Yoga Therapist
And Ayurveda Consultant
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