By Lauren Hanna, Founder of Sonic Yoga

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Namaste Dear Sonic Members!

Welcome to Vata season. We are moving into fall season here in the northeast where the weather is cool and dry.  Many of us are beginning to feel scattered and overwhelmed.  In the ancient Indian system of Ayurveda, these symptoms are created by an imbalance of Vata (a combination of the air and space elements.). 

The beauty of the air element is that it is light and quick moving. It is easily adaptable to change. But it can also blow itself into chaos and easily get burned out. 

Fortunately, we can learn to use the practices of Yoga and Ayurveda to calm rather than stoke these windy elements to bring balance at this time of year. 

Ayurveda shows us that we can learn to balance the winds of Vata with some simple grounding practices.  In the system of Ayurveda, the main principle for health is to be aware that like increases like. So, if you have a Vata dosha and it’s Vata season you will be more likely to experience symptoms of elevated Vata. 

We all have some combination of the 5 elements in our system, earth, water, fire, air, and space.  Vata dosha is more prone to elevated Vata during Vata season.  But, everyone has air and space in their system, so we are all susceptible to experiencing the negative effects of too much Vata.

The way to heal in Ayurveda is always to apply the basic principle of 

“Applying the Opposite”

Ayurveda teaches us how to calm the qualities of Vata, which are dry, light, mobile and rough. We need to work with foods, routines and techniques that are warming, nourishing, hydrating, slow and grounding.

When your Vata is elevated and you are in that kind of hyperactive space in your mind, it can be hard to calm down at the end of the day.  One of the symptoms of overactive Vata is that it is hard to fall asleep and you may even suffer from insomnia.  Vata is best pacified by rest and deep restorative sleep.  

During Vata season things dry out.  Your skin and hair can get dry. To balance this Abhyanga or Oil massage is recommended to lubricate and moisten the inner and outer body. 

You might also get constipated if you eat too much raw food and foods that are binding. To balance drink a lot of water and eat cooked vegetables, warm soups and stews. See food suggestions below.

During Vata season, many of us get overwhelmed and confused.  We find ourselves with too many options and have difficulty making decisions. In order to balance Vata, it’s important to have  some structure to your day.  Now is not the time to over schedule yourself. Although you may be full of ideas right now, new projects can wait.  What’s needed now, is down time. 

Fall season also brings cool air and the holiday season. It is a season of doing. The energy of Vata can change quickly. So, although you may feel excited for new beginnings each Fall, the effects of this busy season may begin to take their toll on your body. 

When the busy list-making and responsibilities of the holidays arrive, elevated Vata can make you feel drained. You may find yourself either completely amped up and strung out, or exhausted and collapsing with no energy.   Self-care is the answer here. 

Here are some great ways to balance Vata:

1. Create Routine:  Vata dosha is mobile and quick, but easily confused and overwhelmed. Vata energy tends to be fluctuating. Which gives us bursts of energy and then weakness or fatigue.  To balance create a daily schedule to ground your day.
2. Down Time: Have a look at your schedule. Vata tends to move us in many directions at once, we might find ourselves all over the place in Vata season. To balance Vata learn to say no, schedule blank space in your calendar and honor that down time. 
3. Self-Care: Vata energy tends to waiver, to build stamina and strength during Vata season, schedule in some self-care.  Be sure to have a set bedtime and to get 7 to 8 hour per night. Recommended bedtime is 10pm, otherwise Vata kicks in and you might find yourself up all night. Self -massage, relaxation, and resting are all important ways to balance Vata. 
4. Oil Up Abhyanga: Self massage with warm oil is a wonderful way to balance Vata. It helps with anxiety and sleep issues.  The grounding effect of the oil massage creates a calm and focused mind. It also helps to increase flexibility which is helpful for asana practice. 
5. Inner Lubrication with Ghee: Eating and cooking with ghee is a wonderful way to lubricate the digestive tract.  When you add warming spices, it acts as a natural detox to purify the system. 
6. Vata Balancing Diet:  Fall is the time to eat warm, soupy, grounding food with warm spices.  Avoid all raw food.   Eat three meals a day and avoid snacking.  Finish your last meal at least three hours before bedtime.
7. Drink Warm Water + Teas:  Avoid cold and iced drinks during Vata Season. Sip room temperature water and herbal tea throughout the day to stay hydrated and improve digestion. 
8. Vata Balancing Asana: Vata rests in the colon and when aggravated can create gas and bloating.  Seated and lying twists are wonderful to release extra Vata, as well as the wind relieving pose.  Strong standing poses like Utkatasana are great for warming Vata. And grounding asana like forward folds are good to calm the nervous system.  And of course, a long savasanna. 
9. Sound Therapy:  Listening to vibrational sounds, drums, singing bowl, chimes, harmonium, and tamboura can be extremely calming to the busy Vata mind.  Make or find some music that helps to relax and ground your mind and body. 
10. Japa Mala: The rhythmic repetition of mantra can slow a racing mind and enhance focus. Repetition of a mantra is a powerful way to calm Vata.  Working with mala beads helps to ground and guide your mantra practice. The mala has some weight, and that tangible anchor helps balance excess vata.
11. Full Moon Gazing: Open eye gazing can be calming to Vata energy that is sometimes agitated by closing the eyes and witnessing racing thoughts. Choose an object like the full moon that symbolizes loving support. The full moon has a calming quality and when we gaze at the full moon it increases Ojas the generative force that is nourishing to Vata.
12. Spend Time in Nature: Appreciating the beauty of creation is in effect its own form of meditation for balancing Vata.  For those whose minds typically run wild, being IN the wild as a silent observer can counteract this tendency. Sit still and observe, with eyes open.  Just be silent and experience your surroundings. This has a very calming therapeutic effect on the vata mind. 

Join me for a Grounding Vata Balancing Meditation practice on Monday Oct. 23^rd at 8pm.

Blessings,

Lauren