10 Ways to Calm Your Vata Energy (ayurvedic dosha wisdom)
In a nutshell, Vata is the first of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) — the mind/body types in Ayurveda. Some of us have Vata as our primary dosha, meaning this is our main mental mojo + physical makeup, however we all have Vata energy.
When in balance, Vata is beauteous and dazzling. Characteristics: creative, energetic, quick, lively, fun, imaginative, intelligent, witty. Elements: Air and ether. Governs: Prana, movement, digestion.
No matter your dosha, everyone has shifts in their Vata, Pitta, and Kapha energies on occasion, and sometimes that energy careens out of balance. The most common one to go bonkers? Vata.
How does it feel when your Vata energy is off the chain? Like this:
Familiar, right? How do we add a little g-love and special sauce to balm it? I got ya covered.
10 Ways to Calm Your Vata Energy:
- Practice a daily kriya or meditation.
- Get Sniffing! Vanilla, sandalwood, and patchouli are especially comforting.
- Good Eats: Warm, cooked (not raw), sweet, salty, and sour foods are perfecto for balancing Vata. Add some olive oil to your cooked veggies, have a cup of hot tea or warm milk with nutmeg + cinnamon, nibble on nuts, and eat your oatmeal like a champ.
- Sweet Feet: Rub warm organic sesame oil on your tootsies, slip on some snuggly socks, and hit the hay.
- Routines are good. Vata derangement is akin to having your head float off into the clouds like a balloon. A firm sched will keep you in line and moving forward with flow.
- Wear your calm on your sleeve: Dress in restful, soothing colors like lavender, greens, browns, and blues.
- Don’t hang out with assholes.
- Stay Warm. How about a snuggie? Organic cotton socks, a nubby scarf, and a cute hat = just what the ayurvedic doc ordered.
- Legs Up the Wall: Put on your fave mellow music and take Viparita Karani — the most calming pose in yoga, in my opinion.
- Meditate.
Namaste, vatos and vatas. May buttery calm be with you.
photo credit: icanhascheezburger.com
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soothsayer. illusion slayer. intj/mastermind. writer + artist + strategist + innovator. california born, city of angels bred. gypset world traveler. la face with an oakland booty. queen of the jungle who doesn't lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.
patchouli (check)
Viparita Karani (check)
warm sesame oil (check)
don’t hang with assholes (double check)
thanks for the tips you, my fav vato
well, this explains my crazy food cravings! I kid you not for the past few weeks, I have trying to get the perfect mix of sweet, salty and sour.My kitchen hates me! Plus, I’ve been a wee disconnected from my head. Okay more than a wee.I can’t wait to try more of these suggestions.
peace
Funny, I’ve been in this mode too lately! Very interestink.
Love the vanilla & sandalwood plus lavender, they are my faves. Patchouli, not so much though.
And I can’t get enough of my knit blankies lately & curling up on the couch with my warm pug. Niiiiiiiiice
I’ll have to investigate sesame oil – I’m a die hard jojoba fan.
Hah, I wasn’t expecting this: “Don’t hang out with assholes.” Soooo true.
I’m super-vata and my life revolves around following #7.
and warm sesame oil is divine.
i think it must’ve been that # 7 that was messing me up ;-)
amazing to me how many words in sanskrit remind me of words in spanish, must be some ancient connection or thread with latin?
i like sukasana too –
“su casa” in spanish means “your house” – nice tie in to this basic easy (yea right) pose ;-)
Hola chica! Me gusta mucho el numero siete, ole!
Love this lady, glad to see you around here :)
And also – get grounded. Literally. Do some gardening, put your hands in the earth and be as one with nature. Works like a charm.
Nice work, vata-chica!!
i need to stop with the a-holes. right now.
#7 is sooo important – and one that surely everyone needs! ;)
Mmmm, I need some sandalwood, vanilla, and warm sesame oil.
Vato:
This list rocks! I’d like to do these 10 things everday – not just when my vata is bonkers.
Especially love #7 – that is a personal goal of mine :)
I’ve recently stopped hanging out with some old “friends”. #7 check!
good eats??!? you dont have to tell me twice!!
Great post! Good thing I got a Snuggie for Christmas last year ;)
THIS EXPLAINS EVERYTHING! let my #vatabunny get a little buck wild. i´m not even sure of the meaning of that. either way this was a fabulous post and a great practical vata soothing hand. thanks!
G. Love and special sauce… RESPECT
Hmmm … I’m a lawyer, so #7 is going to be a little tough. I’ll have to compensate with more legs-up-the-wall pose and a 6 pack of Snuggies.
I love this post!! It’s both funny and informative which is great because information on Ayurveda can be dry and very confusing. If you can find time to do this for Kappha and Pitta that would be awesome!