Vata-calming Yoga

Introduction and general information for Vata

• Practice at a slow, smooth and steady pace.
• Explore fluidity in your poses. Use gentle movements such as spinal and pelvic undulation, rotation in the joints, counter-poses, and flexion and extension.
• Hold each posture for a short amount of time, but do multiple repetitions.
• Draw into and move from your power center or hara. The hara is the area below the navel and above the pubic bone.
• Focus on the foundation of the pose to create stability.
• Internally rotate the femurs and press into the outer edges of your legs.
• As you move, imagine you are moving through a substance like warm water or warm mud.
• Focus on lengthening your inhalation.
• Stay connected to the earth. Ground down through your big toes.
• Fix your gaze below or at the horizon.
• Engage your entire body by hugging your muscles to the bones.
• Do not over extend or deplete yourself. Your practice should be strengthening, not draining. Vatas easily exhaust themselves and when the vata imbalance becomes severe, a restorative practice is best.
• Be present in your practice.
• Stay warm.
• Conclude your practice with a long relaxation.
• The poses shown below are vata-pacifying poses that can be done individually or as a sequence.