Lifestyle Guidelines for Vata
- dianadem
- Aug 6, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 8, 2020
Vata - faster than the wind, lighter than the ether
It is time to make more specific recommendations for the exact dosha. Pay attention that most constitutions are a subtle balance between the three doshas. To know something more about yourself and your constitution, you might find it helpful to go through these quizzes.
Yes, the questions are sometimes seemingly incoherent or the answers are sometimes very similar, but the same happens with life. We often choose between options that are similar and yet lead to different paths. If you understood the previous writing on a deeper level, you possibly have some Vata.
To read more into Ayurveda, here are provided some introductory resources:
So, now you know you possibly have a lot of Vata, possibly even some Vata imbalances. What next? Make and idea chart? Read every piece of knowledge about Vata? Get nervous that it's all too much. No worries, we have the solution for you
10 Aspects for Vata Diet
General rule: prefer sweet taste, add some sour and salty. Avoid astringent and bitter taste. Pay attention to nourish yourself
Nuts benefit Vata. Soaked nuts, cooked nuts is the best choice since consuming a lot of raw nuts may increase dryness.
Using Oils externally and internally. Vata usually needs an oil-aid and that includes adding all kinds of oils into foods and also applying in on the skin. Sesame oil is one of the best due to its heating and nourishing qualities. You also do very well with adding ghee to most foods.
Sweet ripe fruits. Vata flourishes through eating sweet fruits such as bananas, avocados, grapes, peaches, melons, plums, sweet pineapples, mangos. As ripe and as sweet as possible. Use fewer dried fruits and raw green fruits are usually not for you, dear Vata.
Perhaps some dairy? Dairy products pacify Vata. Dairy shouldn't be mixed with other tastes than sweet and when using pure milk, it is best boiled (better tolerance).
Suitable grains. Vata deals well with well-cooked rice, quinoa, some wheat, and perhaps some cooked oats. Corn, millet, buckwheat, rye, and uncooked oats are generally not suitable
Mild to medium spices. Cardamom, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, mustard seed are nice and pacifying while chilli and red pepper is possibly too much. Check also the post about spicing it here
Say no to beans. Say yes to some tofu, some mung dahl and perhaps some well-cooked legumes
If meat, then chicken, turkey, seafood.
Sweeteners can be... choose honey, molasses, raw and brown sugar in reasonable amounts
The vegetable order: cook them! Vata does best with cooked sweet soft vegetables. When in doubt, add some ghee. Beets, carrots, cucumber, sweet potato, leeks. Choose well-cooked and oiled broccoli, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, perhaps some asparagus. Artichoke, sprouts, and cabbages are mostly not for you
A Few Aspects of Vata Lifestyle and Suggestions
1. Structure and regularity. Find ways to create those in your life
bullet journaling
creating a rising and evening habit circuit (a set of habits that are tied to each other)
daily reminder notifications
keeping accountability with friends
using ikigai method (Japanese concept that is about having (of finding) a goal in life, a reason for getting out of bed in the morning)
creating a cleaning list, a travel list, activity lists for the moods, exam preparation list (to not be overwhelmed at certain episodes of life)
2. Slowing down, comfort, and warmth. Create spaces and time for yourself, when you can cover at least two of these aspects and do it often
sitting near fire covered with blanket
sipping cinnamon tea and reading a good book
practicing handicrafts like pottery, drawing or woodworks
meditating in nature on a sunny day
bath time with ambient music
quiet slow conversation on a starry night
3. Be Present during preparation. As Vata Agni (digestion) is of a weaker kind, Vata would benefit from being present during preparation and slowing down the process of eating
if going to eat out, choose places where food is prepared right in front of you or places with less ventilation - the aromas and sight of preparation will improve digestion
take your time to cook food for yourself
have some silent time during eating and make it a sacred process
try some appetizer to improve the process of digestion
after a meal, go for a nice walk
4. Fewer travels, changing places, roaming around. Fast changes of environment aggravate Vata
when having to travel or change a place of living, ease into it. Read the information, become comfortable with the thoughts and start preparing for it slowly
have a variety of senses rather than a variety of places. Sometimes Vata mistakes one need for another
when traveling, choose fewer destinations and more reflection time. Sitting by the ocean or time to honor that sacred temple works better than you that getting all those pics done
at your home, create a proper space for proper action. You might be one of those whose plate is in bed, hairdryer on your desktop, keys under the bed, and meditation space wherever. Change that :)
5. Oils, oils, oils, and keeping yourself warm adn soft.
If you want to read about other doshas and their guidelines, follow the links:
References
Practical Ayurveda: Find Out Who You Are and What You Need to Bring Balance to Your Life Author: Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre; Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd, 2018
Ayurvedic Healing: Contemporary Maharishi Ayurveda Medicine and Science. 2012
Ayurveda für jeden Tag; dr. med. Ernst Schrott, 2003
Hale Pule Ayurveda and Yoga page
Comments