Since vata controls the activation of the nervous system, it is important that the vata remains balanced. Imbalanced vata affects the coordination of movement, conduction of the impulses and can contribute to the degeneration of the myelin sheaths (the fine covering of the nerves) causing conditions like MS or Multiple Sclerosis. Myelin depleted nerves cause electrical shocks thus interrupting the impulse conduction. This condition is dangerous, in the sense that it can cause serious mental disorders. Taking care of vata balance can assist in the body’s internal corrective processes.
Principles of Ayurveda
Ayurveda says that five natural material elements; earth, water, fire, air and ether combine in the human body and are then represented by three doshas. Doshas are energies called kapha, pitta and vata. Kapha comprises of earth and water, pitta is composed of water and fire and vata is made up of air and ether. A healthy body has these three doshas in balance according to one’s natural state. Although, we are all made of various degrees of combinations of these doshas, excess in any of them will lead to various health conditions.
Tridosha (Three Doshas)
Tridosha is a unique concept to the Vedic modality of health and wellness. Ayurveda states that the body is composed of dhatus (tissues), malas (the waste products) and doshas (energetic forces). The Tridoshas are responsible for the creation of the body’s tissues, elimination of waste, functioning of the sensory organs, all movements and bodily activities.
Generally there are varieties of combinations of doshas. For example, Vata-predominant, Pitta-predominant, Kapha-predominant. Then there are three dual Prakritis (natures), where two doshas are equally or nearly equally predominant: Vata-Pitta predominant, Pitta-Kapha predominant and Vata-Kapha predominant; a balanced person has all three doshas in equal proportion. This may be in a case of a monk who is very peaceful and detached from all worldly affairs. This is very rare among regular working people. In order to find out your dosha, you can take a dhosa test from any Ayurvedic book, or have a consultation from an Ayurvedic doctor which should give you an accurate analysis. Of the three doshas, vata is the most powerful as kapha and pitta cannot function without it Most sicknesses are due to an imbalance of the vata dosha. It is recommended that vata dosha be addressed first because it is dangerous to leave it uncared for.
Characteristics of Balanced Vata
When vata is in balance a person appears lively, vibrant, alert, enthusiastic, creative, flexible, imaginative, sensitive, prompt and active. A vata person loves excitement and new experiences because he or she gets bored easily and needs new stimulus for the mind, body and intellect.
Symptoms of Imbalanced Vata
With vata imbalanced in the body and mind, we might appear restless and uneasy, experience anxiety, stress, sleep disorders, forgetfulness, constipation and suffer from colon disorders, excessive weight loss, dryness of skin, arthritis, heart disorders, infertility and asthma. Also we can be vulnerable to frequent headaches, bloating, feelings of tiredness when talking or thinking, fatigue and lethargy, incongruence of thoughts, fast speech, short temperedness and edginess. Nervous system disorders could be attributed to vata imbalance, common modern day disorders include Parkinson’s disease, or schizophrenia which is characterized by bizarre or paranoid delusions, hallucination, disorganized thinking and speech.
Causes
Vata is aggravated by irregular routine, erratic climate, having meals at inappropriate times sleep deprivation, stress, and anxiety, consuming too many pungent or bitter foods, injury, travel, and certainly overuse of modern gadgets like cell phones, computers, television, video games, cars, planes etc. Sometimes prescribed medications, recreation drugs or alcohol can be the cause of vata imbalance.
We are not suggesting changing your lifestyle drastically but helping to make awareness of such dangers so as to be empowered to support your health. The simple techniques mentioned in this book will not only help alleviate vata imbalances but will allow you to use the modern gadgets in a balanced way. A list of suggestions for better use of these gadgets and appliances in the house is included at the end of this booklet.
Vata Balancing Regimes Introduction
The basic goal is to bring vata into a state of balance by regulating healthy habits in daily life and to gradually minimize the excess of vata harming items.
This is achievable by following a recommended vata diet, avoiding certain foods and consuming more of others. Applying oil on the body which can be done in five minutes daily by yourself to reverse the ‘dryness’. Exercise as per body type and needs. Meditating everyday for five to twenty minutes, and/ or reciting quiet mantras or performing japa to stabilize the thought processes.
Repeating a Mantra or a spiritual sound vibration on prayer beads, normally named a rosary, is called japa. Most prayer beads have 108 beads and one should recite a mantra on each of these beads. This method surely helps in calming and focusing the mind. The most commonly used mantra is as follows; Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. All the names mentioned in this mantra are recited on each bead. In the beginning it may take a person about ten minutes to recite these mantras on all one hundred and eight beads. Later on the time will be reduced to five minutes.
By using these techniques you should certainly feel calmer and have a more relaxed nervous system. The overactive mind will be stable and will focus with clarity. Many other vata balancing regimes are given below. You can gradually add more balancing activities in your life as you get familiar with them. We have included a daily record chart at the end for your convenience. If you achieve these goals, then our endeavour in producing this handbook has been worthwhile.
Daily Vata Balancing Regimes
Waking Up at Brahma Muhurt (4.00 am to 6.00 am)
Brahma Muhurt is the couple of hours before the sunrise on the equator or tropics. This time is highly recommended for spiritual and meditation processes because it is very peaceful time. Generally people have not yet woken up, and therefore there is less activity e.g. there are hardly any traffic noises. At this time the divine energies are at their peak potencies. Waking up early in the morning is good for balancing vata, the most ideal time would be around 6.00 am. Ayurveda and Chinese health systems show the specific times during which various organs in the body rejuvenate during the night. We have included this Chinese organ regeneration clock in this handbook.
Regularity is the biggest challenge for vata types. Irregularity ruins the natural body clock cycles or rhythms thus bringing imbalance. Thus early bedtime is important for vata individuals because they need at least six to seven hours sleep.