How Can I Balance Vata?

Vata is the most important of the three doshas. If left unbalanced, it causes pitta and kapha to become imbalanced.

• Start your day with 1-2 capsules of Ashwagandha and Turmeric Plus. Children over 4 take 1 of each.
• Follow a regular rhythm of sleep, exercise, mealtimes and rest.
• Take 3-5000 IU of Vitamin D₃ daily. Use our home test kit to test levels before use.
• 80% of the body’s immunity is in the digestion. Take our Digestive Health Quiz to boost immunity.
• Sleep with a humidifier to keep your sinuses clear.

What are Daily Routines (Dinacharya) for Vata?

• Self-massage with  warm Tri-Doshic Massage Oil or Lymphatic Massage Oil. >>>Learn how to do daily self-massage to balance your nervous system and detox your lymphatic system.
• Practice my One-Minute Meditation up to ten times per day to help cope with stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Lubricate and protect dry sinuses by performing Neti (gentle saline irrigation), followed by Nasya (oil)
• Massage ears with Lymphatic Massage Oil.
• At the end of winter, follow one of our at-home cleanses to ensure a healthy spring: lifespa.com/cleansing.

What are Signs of Excess Vata?

• Sleep or mood imbalances, occasional constipation, mild achiness.
• If you experience some of these signs, schedule an Ayurvedic consult and follow the above tips.

Winter / Vata Grocery List

>>> See the Winter Tips and Grocery list “Vata-Balancing Diet”

Vata is the main driver or mover of the body, providing the following functions:

• All eliminations: fetus, semen, feces, urine, and sweat.
• Assists with metabolisms in the body (Agni), transformation of tissues.
• Controls movement in body (mental and physical) such as respiration, heartbeat, motivation, contraction of muscles, and natural urges.
• Relays all sensory input to the brain, motor functions.
• Governs nervous system.

Vata Body Type Characteristics

• Small frame, light and thin / hard to gain weight.
• Course, dry, kinky or curly hair.
• Dry, rough, darker skin.
• Small eyes, whites of eyes are blue or brown.
• Very large / small teeth, crooked or shaded.
• Performs activity quickly, can’t stay idle, quick walking pace.
• Low strength and endurance.
• Quick minded, restless, learns fast / forgets fast, high pitch / fast voice.
• Moods change quickly, tendency to worry, easily excitable, easily stressed.
• Irregular hunger / digestion, tendency towards constipation.
• Aversion to cold weather.
• Prefers warm food / drink and eats quickly.
• Spends money quickly / doesn’t save.
• Variable, irregular sex drive.
• Light interrupted sleep, dreams are fearful, flying, jumping and running.

Vata: Cold, Dry, Light

• Elements: Air and Ether
• Season: Fall/Winter
• Times of Day: 2am – 6am and 2pm – 6pm
• Taste/Qualities (+): Pungent, Bitter, Astringent/Light, Cold, Dry These are the qualities of Vata. To decrease Vata, use LESS of these qualities in food, beverage and environment. For instance, eating salad (light, cold) will increase Vata.
• Taste/Qualities (-): Sweet, Sour, Salty / Heavy, Oily, Hot To increase and balance excess Vata, use more of these qualities in food, beverage and environment, such as savory squash soup and hot herbal tea.
• Best Oils: Sesame, Almond, Apricot

Want to know your Ayurvedic body type? Take our Dosha Quiz!