Vata Season
Qualities of Vata
Vata Season begins around mid-September when the days and nights start to become equal in length. The colder nights and the chilly winds start, the leaves begin to change and let go. We celebrate the harvest during this time, as we create more space for the new seeds to be planted. Vata is “that which moves and contains”. Vata is composed of the elements Space & Air. Vata Dosha lives in all the spaces of the body and is responsible for the movement of our blood, lymph, thoughts, muscles…etc. Vata is also known as the “Container” or “Vehicle”. The other elements can’t move without Vata. The qualities of Vata are cold, dry, light, subtle, mobile, erratic, quick, rough, and clear. During Vata Season, you may notice yourself experiencing more creativity (especially with all the colors of fall), more activity since the weather is not as sharp and hot like in Summer. You may even experience more anxiety and grief (SAD), this is due to the space element in Vata. More space leaves room for anxious thoughts and while grief is more the feeling of space from letting go or having experienced loss, even if that loss is of summer and the long time sun. Vata primarily is housed in the Large Intestines of the body. People with Vata Dosha my experience dryness or constipation or quite the opposite due to the extreme quality of Vata. In Chinese medicine the Fall Season is ruled by the Lungs and Large intestine. LET IT FLOW & LET IT GO!!!
Pacifying Vata Dosha
Here are some suggestions to help bring balance back into your Vata Dosha.
• Eat warm, dense, wet foods (Hearty Soups, Cooked Veggis…etc)
• Avoid letting the wind hit your head, neck, ears…
•Wear a jacket, cover your head and ears, wear a scarf
• Practice daily warm oil massage
• Warm salt baths with grounding scents
• Eat spiced apples with oats for breakfast (cooked)
• Eat what is in season (Pumpkin, squash, apples…etc)
• Pranayama can help bring balance back to the mind
• Create a daily routine and stick to it!!!
• Chai season! Warm up with spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice)
• Make small adjustments that way you don’t overwhelm
• Treat yourself like a flower (What do I need?)
• Less is more!
• Vata is subtle so be still, practice silence meditation. LISTEN!
***As a rule of thumb, Ayurveda and my Teacher Dr. Heather George, would say “For whom, and when”. This means that some of the practices above may not be for you specifically or you may have another Dosha that is out of balance. Like Pitta for example, they may want to avoid the spicy seasonings and Kapha may want to avoid the dense and wet foods. As always, please consult an Ayurvedic Practitioner.
Vata & Fall
Fall is the subtle season. We begin to draw our energy inward and let go. We start clearing out our spaces and making them more warm and cozy, preparing ourselves for the colder months ahead. We celebrate our harvest bounty from the summer. Vata season is also cold and flu season. Think of that cold wind hitting the back of your neck and then the next day you have a runny nose and a slight wind cold. Wearing protective clothing can help shield you from the excess wind element. After the leaves change and fall off the trees, we are left with the space element of Vata. Things are more open and exposed, so being outside in open areas can also aggravate us or make us feel sad. Warm oil massage of the body, nose, and ears can really help create a protective layer between you and the elements. Nature always knows how to take care of us. Right now pumpkin, staghorn sumac, carrots, brussel sprouts…etc are growing in abundance. These foods have a lot of zinc, vitamin C, beta carotene…this helps us fight off flu and colds!!! Check out your local farmers market and see what’s currently growing in your area!!
If you notice feelings of anxiety, nervousness, overwhelm…etc you may have excess Vata Dosha. Bring yourself back into balance with warm teas, massage, soothing sounds, yoga nidra, daily routines…
If you’d like to know more about Vata Season or what your personal nature is so that you can
more about YOU! Then feel free to book an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coaching Session with me today!!