Vata Season

Here in the Northern hemisphere, we are currently in the vata season. Vata is one of the three main doshas in Ayurveda. If you’re like Ayur- what? I invite you to check out this blog post about Ayurveda which will help bring some clarity as to what this ancient medical practice is all about. Let’s explore the vata dosha, vata imbalances and how to bring your vata back into balance.

Vata Dosha

Vata is composed of the elements of wind and space or ether. The qualities of Vata are  dry, light, cold, rough, mobile, subtle and clear (clarity). As such, when the weather is cold, dry and windy, it is vata season! Generally speaking, the season of Fall into early-mid winter is known as Vata season. Now, if you live in an environment that has these qualities year round, pay special attention to the balancing practices! 

Vata actually means “wind” and the etymology of the word vata roughly translates to “that which moves things”. Thus, vata governs movement in the body and mind. Movement of blood, movement of thoughts, movement of food in the GI system, our breath, etc. If you watch me on instagram or youtube, you notice I talk with a lot of movement. That is because I have a lot of vata in my constitution! 

Let’s explore an example as to how the doshas are connected. This summer, we learned about Pitta governing digestion. It is able to do so due to the movement of the food in the system via the force of vata. You might be thinking peristalsis is what moves food along and yes, you are correct! The idea here is that the contraction of muscles (movement) that is peristalsis that moves food through the GI system is governed by vata within the body. And it is through the movement of the food through the system that we are then able to digest, absorb and distribute nutrients throughout the body and create and maintain the structure of it (kapha). We will explore kapha more in the Spring, but you can learn more about it in my Ayurveda 101 post as well.

Vata Imbalances

Vata is the main force that governs our nervous system. When you combine this knowledge with the quality of movement….mmhmmm, anxiety! A very clear vata imbalance can present as one feeling anxious and ungrounded. Let’s take a look at some more indications of a vata imbalance: 

During vata season, we can accumulate an excess of vata that is beyond our normal constitution. Many things can increase our vata outside of the season itself such as: traveling, suppressing natural urges (hunger, evacuation, sleep, etc), working out excessively, raw diets and keeping an irregular schedule. Below are some indications that you might experience to clue you into a vata imbalance.

• Anxiety
• Ungrounded
• Tremors
• Insomnia
• Constipation 
• Depression
• Confusion 
• Physical dryness 
• Physical pain
• Gas and bloating

Balanced Vata Dosha

Qualities of someone with a balanced vata dosha (based on their personal constitution) are that they are:

• creative
• sleep well
• regular bowel movements
• good circulation
• mental alertness
• enthusiastic
• mental flexibility

How to Balance a Vata imbalance

There  are many ways to pacify a vata imbalance and bring oneself back into balance. An Ayurvedic practitioner can help with herbs and specialized approaches based on your specific imbalanced and needs, but below are general ways you can work towards finding balance on your own.

• Eat warm grounding foods (roasted root vegetables, stews, etc.)
• Limit raw and gas producing foods
• Focus on hydrating with warm liquids 
• Focus on sweet, salty and sour tastes 
• Staying warm
• Limit time outside when windy, avoid drafts inside
• Meditation
• Getting sufficient and adequate rest and sleep 
• Try to go to bed by 10pm (or 10am if you work night shifts)
• Eat foods that decrease vata 
• Food to help balance Vata
• Maintain a regular routine
• Self massage with sesame oil, paying special attention to the joints

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Disclaimer: This post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute individualized support or medical advice.

Blair is a registered dietitian, certified intuitive eating counselor, E-500 RYT and Reiki Master. She integrates spirituality with modern day science to help people heal and reclaim their relationship with their body and food.