Our Vata dosha

So here we meet our Vata dosha, one of three body humours that make up our body. Doshas are what Ayurveda treatments and consultations are very concerned with, and to find our constitutional medicine.

According to Ayurveda, doshas are the expression of the five elements of this living world. Their combination is seen in all of life. Our vata dosha is the Commander of  HQ, our stage manager, El heffe, Le capitaine! You get me?💁‍♀️

Our Vata is pretty important in anything we do, vata has a hand in each and every pie.

And so what?  Do I need to know about our vata dosha when I am at home? Is this really important to my life? Yes! But pitta types can and probably will scroll to the vata symptom/remedy list.

Pitta types don’t like to be told what to do…so if you feel the need, skip ahead with the pitta’s.

Any way, you were asking “Why do I need to know about vata?”  Our Vata dosha is the active moving combination of space and air. The more we understand what each dosha rules, the easier it is to re-balance before a chronic imbalance.

Or better yet, do as Ayurveda intends, learn how to prevent imbalances, and live a happy, healthy, fruitful life. 🤸🏼‍♀️

Our vata dosha’s primary job is the most important, because it has the biggest affect on our pitta and kapha doshas too.

If you prefer to meet and discuss your body mind type, find your doshic revelations and re-balance, contact me by Whatsapp @ 086 1778369

If you want to work with your doshas and explore, then make a mental note of this for the future..

Vata is movement. It all begins in the nervous system, and here vata governs our output and input of all  body systems and their functioning.

To keep it real and specific for your body, remember this is your personal medicine, and you can use vata identifiers in this way;

If it moves, vata is involved. If it moves, it is drying. The faster it moves, the more dryness it creates. Time moves, so this is a vata identifier too. 

When vata is out of balance there are signals. And yes, I am absolutely positive, if you are over 18 and in general good health you will have felt a vata imbalance.

Vata affects the whole body but in the early stages the digestion is often the first to be noticed.

Aggravated vata digestive problems come very soon after eating. Like indigestion, with or without burping, or windies, or later maybe painful gas. Your bowel movements could become delayed, uncomfortable, dry, like constipation. (Constipation is the absence of a bm any given day.)

Our doshas are affected by information from the 5 senses, plus thoughts, emotions, wisdom and breathing. The dominant activity of our mind and emotions is echoed in our doshas. Watch how vata arrives in these few situations, I have underlined the key words so you might “see” vata :

 🌟 You may be familiar with the old adage “If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” This is about vata and its connection to the mind and emotions. Plus the fact that vata has only microscopic particles of matter within the space and air it is made of.

Imagine it’s a busy day and you hear yourself saying; 

I was so busy, I didn’t have time to catch my breath.

I was all over the place today. I feel breathless and anxious.

There is tension and stiffness in my body but it  moves around.

🦋 Remedy: The most direct remedy for a vata problem is first to stop the body moving for a moment, and next, breathe better. These two actions can relieve imbalances as quickly as they arrive. Breathing is vata. We directly affect our dosha balance with the correct breathing practice, it is so interesting! And this can be individualised for each person and their inner preventative medicine or an imbalance.

Breathing better benefits every part of the body through cellular nourishment. But also the mind benefits even more through pausing, focus and awareness, which is the start of meditation.

Remedy: sit down now, even though your personality mind may struggle against it, go ahead and pause. Relax your hands by your side or on your thighs and watch your belly or chest move as you breathe. Use a timer for three minutes in case the urge to become busy comes before the bell.

Sit and feel this body breathe. Notice stillness arrive, or notice that it does not and try to welcome what does arrive.

This body intelligence opens when we stop and listen. Be encouraged!  Cycles of over doing, are vata increasing and are a normal part of learning how to rebalance. And take heart! Be encouraged! Actions that create imbalance can be, yes they really can be… deconstructed!! Pause for body wisdom to arrive.

There is always the Calm cheat sheet and 4 minute audio recording for calm, available now for a limited time, subscribe to my newsletter and you have the audio for always.

🌟 Most of us are slightly familiar with little backward hiccups😂i.e., the dreaded flatulence, windies, painful gas, bloating or constipation. And sometimes it does not feel good and other times it comes at a very inopportune time but may be great relief.

🦋 Remedy: Priority tip, Eat at regular times everyday if you suffer from any of the above. Irregularity makes vata very, very unhappy.

Chew your food more. Slow down the time it takes to eat! Eat your main meal at the middle of the day. Do not drink cold water any more, unless you are somewhere in a desert…if so go ahead and have a dairy icecream bar too! Check how much you are eating. Is it enough or too much? Check your posture and attitude towards this nourishment. Breathe and enjoy this time to nourish yourself.

 🌟 You finish washing your hands for the 59th time today and your skin is as dry as a bone. Not only your hands, but your whole darn body may be feeling dry, rough, cracked and over tired (maybe even your eyes or eyelids). Some parts might even be itchy, other parts may feel moist but as a rule your skin is dry and urgently needs some support.

 🦋 Remedy: Ayurveda says oil is the most effective moisturiser, for all body types. Any oil is good, but always organic since this application is medicine for the largest organ of your body. Long term use of organic natural oil promotes supple skin and gives us better protection from the environment and allows Prana to flow. Warm the oil first, then place some on your body, then wait 15 to 20 minutes for the oil to absorb a little bit, and then have a warm shower or bath. Bliss is not even close to this home treatment. 

Which oil?  From best to lesser: Ghee, Ayurveda says is the supreme oil and is ideal for the eyes and face, or the luxury of Irish Rose oil is a definite treat. (I personally do not like the smell on my face but I do use it to remove eye makeup, so lusciously soothing and far away from my nose).

For excellent and economic body oils; Sesame seed oil is best in Ayurveda, Almond oil, coconut oil, and all the rest. Remember organic is a must.

There are medicated oils I use in my Ayurveda treatments. Medicated oils are the best because they are “the influencer” for the skin! They will be available from me by the end of July 2020.

IBS. Anything bowel orientated is a vata digestive problem. Irritation is inflammation. This is a blend of pitta and vata arguing over things they find hard to stomach. This can be a simple healing process, but it does require a closer look rather than a generic view. Two doshas combining in aggravation are best helped with care from a qualified dual therapist of Yoga and Ayurveda.

Contact Kelly Marie for a consultation on self care through Ayurveda remedies for IBS and other chronic digestive complaints. Whatsapp 086 1778369

Part 2 of this post will go further into the mind of a vata personality…very fun and creative.

P.S. Vata is a part of timing, it is involved in all transitions. Transitions of our body clock, transitions in the day, the 4pm slump? That is a vata time, to breathe the Yoga breath, and to smile. The ending of the day is coming. To be aware of a vata slump is another way to listen to your body wisdom, consider what vata is telling you. Ask for help or go put oil on your skin and have a warm shower. Vata will reduce and you will feel as bright as a button!

I am available on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kellymariemills/ and teach regularly on the page if you want to see my work…pop on over xx

Perhaps this is your time now, and that is why you are reading this now?

Go gently, and may we all find peace at every step,

Kelly Marie ©