Today we continue our introduction to the three doshas with MSY yoga teacher trainee Alex White. You can get to know Alex better on Friday mornings. She’s been teaching “Morning Flow” at 9am!
As a reminder, our class registration process is beginning to change. If you missed my last post, please take a moment to read through it.
Calling all Vatas! Today is your time to shine.
Vata dosha is ruled by the elements of air (wind) and ether (space). Vata-dominant humans enjoy going with the wind. Vatas are vibrant, imaginative and enthusiastic, and usually pretty transparent with their emotions. They’re usually highly creative but can have a hard time seeing projects to fruition. Physically, they are cold-natured and their bodies (when in balance) tend to be light, flexible, and quick. They can have a hard time sitting still.
Vatas require grounding to help keep their dominant dosha in check. The following yoga poses can help: Mountain Pose (tadasana), Standing Forward Fold (uttanasana), Seated Spinal Twist (ardha matsyendrasana), Knees to Chest (apasana), and Legs Up the Wall (viparita karani). If you are feeling anxious or untethered, having a rough day, and or need something to rejuvenate you, practice a pose or two from this list and take some deep breaths.
When vata is out of balance, the symptoms range from insomnia or easily interrupted sleep to dry skin to headaches to excessive worry or anxiety to sensitivity to noises (the ears being the sense organs related to vata). Vata digestion is variable; when vata is high in the digestive tract, it can produce gas, bloating, and constipation. Due to the constant need for activity, twitches and spasms are common when vata is too high. If you are prone to hypertension or have Reynaud’s disease, this might indicate excess vata dosha in the body.
So what if you are out of balance? What do you do? I love lists! So here is a list of recommendations for keeping vata dosha in balance.
1. Create a routine and stick to it.
2. Bring regular moderate exercise into your daily plan. Moderate exercise examples are walking in nature, yoga that is mild or semi challenging and includes long holds in poses (5-10 breaths), treadmill/bike/elliptical at a pace where you can talk the entire time.
3. Avoid extreme exertion exercises like tabata or HITT. If vata if very high, you may even consider not engaging in vigorous vinyasa flows.
4. Drink beverages warm or at room temperature (no ice!).
5. Dress in layers.
6. Take your meals in a peaceful environment.
7. Schedule an oil massage (you can do it yourself) and or relaxing meditation class a couple times a week to maintain peace and serenity
8. Make sure to eat on schedule to help strengthen digestion.
9. Take daily analyzations of mood and plan accordingly.
Best wishes to my vatas!
Stay snug and peaceful,
Alex