Is It Vata Season Where You Are?
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, it’s pretty obvious that, at best, the weather is irregular, and at worst, straight up Unpredictable… The strong movement of winds, currents and even planetary shifts are one of the most obvious signs that we are experiencing A Lot Of Vata Energy. But the ferocity of Pitta is not to be ignored either. It picks up speed thanks to Vata’s control and the fact that it is water and flows fast and readily (Pitta = Fire AND Water).
Pitta Off Kilter is super recognizable in our environment. Think wars, anger, violence, fiery heat, floods and torrential rains and in the micro, inner conflicts and turmoil, relentless ambition and drive, intensity in all that you do. Perfectionism, irritability, impatience with yourself and others and as a result, hives and redness in the face, eyes, gums and also hands and feet. Even your hyperpigmentation that seemed to be laying low, is now bolder and more obvious. Inflamed acne, weeping and dry eczema, burning in throat or other areas of body are at a high too.
Because all that you are in body, mind and spirit mirrors all that your environment is too, keep yourself grounded is priority if you don’t want to blow away in a hot wind. Literally (fainting, falling, dizziness, instability) and figuratively.
First, Mind Your Skin Care Routine.
From before the shower to after you get out, I recommend the following Ayurvedic routine.
Before the shower
- Stand over a towel or mat.
- Starting at the scalp, massage some oil, just enough to coat. Use open palms in long downward strokes to massage in skin. You are done with that area when the oils has mostly absorbed. No slick on the surface.
- Massage the face, ears, inside and out, neck and shoulder.
- Move open palms downward from shoulder down arms, legs, sides of trunk, and counter clockwise at tummy.
- Pull out excess Vata at every toe and finger tip. For as far as your arms can reach, do the same movements to the side and back of your body.
- Get in a warm, NOT hot shower. SIDE NOTE: never run your head under hot water ESPECIALLY if your hair is thinning. Always keep it cool.
- Before introducing any soap or shampoo, rinse the body, from scalp down. Use fingers to rinse hair before adding shampoo and when you do introduce product, keep it light. Try just a little, adding more only if needed. You want to maintain some unctuousness for weighing down Vata and that Pitta will inevitably benefit from.
After The Shower
- pat skin dry, leaving some moisture on the surface.
- Apply a really good quality oil on the skin and finish application with a layer of more moisture, using either your hydrosols, homemade skin teas that you keep in the fridge or your clean hands wet from the tap.
- If you wear face make-up, keep it emollient – less powder and more creamy BB cream or tinted moisturizer. Try our Crème de la Crème as a primer.
- Apply a thin coat of oil inside nostril, on top and bottom of lashes and inside ear to protect pathways from debris. Massage feet at night with oil.
- Eat at least two nourishing meals everyday and have dinner no later than 7 p.m. Plant-based is preferred at donner, especially if you already had animal protein that day. Plants are easier to digest and Vata tends to get constipated, bloated and have abdominal pain while Pitta gets all heated up in the gut but also drowned in fluid. This is not the right time to test your tummy with unfamiliar, fatty, heavy and spicy foods that require too much attention.
- Stop eating before you are full so there is more than enough air for even your weak agni to churn and process your lite meals.
Avoid obvious dry foods like:
- breads, cereals, chips, popcorn, pretzels and crackers
And less obvious ones:
- cold salads
- white potatoes (opt for sweet ones)
- lean meats like pork, venison, wings or chicken breast. Opt for thigh and drumstick.
- cold and iced drinks
- beans
If you have more of a Kapha body type, maybe you can indulge in these astringent foods but otherwise, Not if you are showing a imbalance in Vata.
If the weather is extra Vata (windy, raining, dry and hot) & Pitta (hot, humid and wet) and you personally feel a similar imbalance like restless, anxious, irritable, constipated, angry and cold on hands and feet, be really mindful of this advice.
AVOID spicy, sour, fermented, fried and salty foods and be mindful of fish and eggs if you feel extra Pitta. These will kick her hard if she’s already down.
Instead eat fresh, cooling foods like parsley, mint, cilantro, spinach, hibiscus, and cucumber.
Other Pitta / Vata friendly foods:
- anything soft, easy to digest and nourishing.
- sweet fruits
- basmati rice
- avocado
- organic dairy – whole fat
- almonds and pumpkin seeds.
- organic dairy
- healthy fats like ghee, avo, almond and sesame oils
- spices like coriander seed, cumin, fennel, hing, cinnamon, licorice, turmeric, and ginger.
- stews, unctuous broths and soups.
To discover more proven and trusted Ayurvedic remedies and routines, Book a Ayurvedic Wellness Consult. RECEIVE A FREE EXCLUSIVE GIFT when you mention this post. BOOK HERE.
ALSO, THIS SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN SEASONS is the perfect time to open the doors to Ayurveda Basics ~ Doshas, Diet and Daily Routines and for you to discover your doshas in all their high and lows and the proven routines, foods, easy remedies and delicious foods that are guaranteed to keep them in tip-top shape!
Take the class Live or Solo, with the finished recording and revised workbook.
Keep it lo and slo my friends. XO