having a Vata predominant Constitution (prakriti) means that all the following qualities can express themselves generously throughout your mental, emotional, and physical make up.
The qualities of Vata
- dry
- light
- cool
- rough
- subtle
- mobile
Someone with Vata predominant Constitution can have for example dry skin, dry lips, dry hair, dry nails, feel cold more easily than others.
AND because Ayurveda is built around the basic idea of like increases like Vata will increase in your body, mind, and spirit by increasing the qualities above. So:
Cool weather, cool food, cool emotions as dry seasons, dry food, a dry environment will increase the cool and dry quality and thereby increase Vata.
BUT Vata in excess can be unhealthy and lead to the following signs or symptoms
on a psychological level:
- mental restlessness (fear, worries, you can’t switch off)
- Nervousness
- Memory problems, difficulty finding words
- Sleep disorders
- Hypersensitivity of the senses
on a physical level:
- Joint, back, headaches
- dry skin, mucous membranes
- Constipation
- flatulence
- Cramps
- Tremble
HOW TO BALANCE (VIKRIT)
When healthy Vata governs our capacity we experience
- flexibility
- joy
- expansive consciousness
As mentioned before Ayurveda is built around the basic idea that like increases like and opposites balance.
-> So you balance a dosha by using the opposite.
Qualities opposite to Vata are those:
- moist grounding
- warming
- smooth
- oily
- stabilizing
Everything can be used to restore healthy balance because everything that exists has a quality. This includes but is not limited to: foods, colors, smells, and lifestyles.
Lifestyle
- Live with calm awareness and a gentle pace.
- A regular, daily routine with regular times for eating, sleeping, and working.
- Keeping warm, no matter what the weather. Try warm baths and warm drinks.
- Taking time to slow down and turn inward with meditation or a good book.
- Taking a deep breath after swallowing your last bite and heading off to your next activity.
- Eating your meal in a peaceful environment.
Yoga
Vata-pacifying yoga to help calm the mind, settle the nervous system, and balance excess Vata.
Clothing, colors, smells & jewellery
- warm clothes in warm and earthy colors.
- scents of wood, resins, spices and medicinal herbs such as St. John’s wort and basil.
- wearing gold jewellery and stones such as ruby, topaz, yellow sapphire, amethyst or red coral support the Vata type.
Food
To favor because it decrease Vata
- Foods that are naturally sweet, sour, and salty in taste.
- Warm foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- Whole, freshly cooked foods.
- Plenty of warm drinks and herbal teas.
- more details about Food for Vata
To avoid because it increase Vata
- Foods that are bitter, astringent, and pungent.
- Foods that are cooling, both energetically and in temperature.
- Dry and light foods.
- Too much raw food, especially in the mornings and evenings.
- Most beans, including cold soy products.
- Highly processed foods (like canned or frozen foods, “TV” dinners or pastries).
- Cold or carbonated drinks.
- Caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants.
- Overeating or eating very heavy meals.
- Eating fresh fruit or drinking fruit juice within 1/2 hour of any other food.
- Foods or drinks that contain refined sugar or corn syrup.
- Deep-fried foods.
- Hard alcohol..