Reminding you how to Balance the Vata

So how do we know when we have an imbalance? It’s good to find an Ayurvedic consultant some times if you try to reduce stress using an incorrect diagnosis you could make matters worse. But, doshic imbalances do have certain general mental and physical symptoms, which we often can recognize in ourselves. Under stress, those with a vata imbalance tend to be climbing the walls and making imappropriate comments, speaking without thinking. Those with a pitta imbalance exhibit excessive acidity, anger, skin conditions, and high blood pressure. Those with a kapha imbalance will eat until they become rotund.

I’m going to give you some common stress reactions—and solutions—for each doshic imbalance. Starting with the vata.

Vata’s who are highly creative, quick thinkers at their best, when imbalanced can have difficulty settling down long enough to actualize their visions. They’re prone to distractions, free-floating fear, and worry this state of mental agitation leads to a variety of physical symptoms, including weight loss, teeth grinding, insomnia, and constipation. Vata-imbalanced people can actually find their stress subdued by calm, quiet, grounded activity.

If you have a vata imbalance, you need to be eating food that are grounding, warm, and soothing, and avoiding cold, raw foods like salads. Dry, light food like popcorn aggravate the vata. Heavy, high-quality milk products, rice, nuts, and warming herbs, like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom, will help calm vata’s nature.

As much as vatas like movement, they should be mindful of their exercise choices. Vatas need to calm down, slow down. They are usually just stuck in the mind. They need to take the body along, doing exercise that brings them inward. A slower more restorative yoga class is best for them. This helps ground this dosha and alleviates stress.

Meditation provides immense benefit for calming vata, though sitting presents a challenge to those constantly in motion. Adding elements such as soft music or a guided meditation CD will help get a vata to that quiet place.

Remember to do a self massage with sesame oil before showering and on the soles of your feet before bed, this also helps bring excess vata into balance.

                                              Nancy Adams, Certified Thai Yoga Therapist

                                                            And Ayurveda Consultant