Mudras (Healing Hand Gestures)
Mudras are simple hand symbols or gestures that are often part of a morning puja (ceremony) and sadhana (daily spiritual discipline). One will be amazed at the benefits of these symbols. If you are not used to sadhana practices, then you can use the vata mudra alone and reap the benefits. These Ayurvedic methods of hand mudras, breathing techniques like pranayam and yoga asanas are zero cost methods of self healing.
The five fingers of the hand are regarded as representative symbols of five elements in the body. For example the thumb represents fire, index finger represents air, middle finger is for ether, ring finger represents earth and little finger represents water. Disturbance, disorder or deficiency in these elements or the consequent disease or imbalance can be rectified and cured by appropriate practice of suitable mudras along with other regimes.
A Vata balancing mudra can be performed by the index finger being folded to touch and gently pressing the root of the thumb and then the top portion of the thumb is made to touch the middle part of the finger in such a way that it also puts some pressure on the latter. This mudra regulates the mutual proportion and combination of fire and air components in the body.
Disorders caused by gases or air pressures in and around the veins, arteries etc., lead to vata ailments. Joint pain, arthritis, rheumatism, etc. are common examples of such disorders. The vayu (air) mudra helps control and cure excess vata ailments. The optimum time of practicing and the overall duration would depend upon the stage and type of the ailments. It is also efficacious in recovery from paralysis attacks. Best results are obtained if this mudra and the prana mudra are practiced together, one after the other. This vata mudra is also effective in alleviating toothache, headache, stomach ache, etc. Duration: 30 to 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in three parts (i.e., for 10 to 15 minutes, thrice a day). This mudra can be performed at anytime of the day.
Visualization and Chakra Balancing
This is one of the most powerful methods of healing because of the power of thoughts. One can create their own reality through this method. There are seven main different coloured chakras (subtle energy circles) in our subtle bodies. These chakras control the functions of organs which are in their regions of the body. If the chakras don’t function well or are closed then the organs linked with them get affected. In vata people the root chakra always needs help. Either it is distorted or closed. One can open the chakra with sound and colour and in one minute. The Sanskrit mantras and prayers have the hidden power to open the chakras. There are so many methods used these days to open these subtle energy chakras.
Method- Bring in red light with your mind from an imaginary white pyramid from above the head. Guide this red light going through all parts of the body and ending up in the root chakra. You can recite the word ‘Lam’ extending the sound for one minute, while doing this simple mental exercise for one minute e.g. Laaaaaaaaaammmmmmm. You can repeat this a couple times only, otherwise you will continue to yawn if you repeat this too often. Another quick method of visualization is to imagine roots coming out from the bottom of your feet and going deep into the earth and that you are leaning against a very large strong tree supporting your back, holding this thought for couple minutes. There are varieties of ways of using visualizations. There is an abundance of resources available in the subliminal therapies using sound and visualization. Vata people should find a method that works best for them to protect their aura (subtle protective energy around the body) from negative energies.
Nature Walks & Tai Chi
Take some time off from work so as not to over burden yourself. Take short breaks, walk in an open space to refresh your mind. Lush greenery, large trees and plants that are directly rooted in the ground are good for vata. Doing a few Tai Chi exercises helps during the afternoon. Having the company of a kapha person is very beneficial to the vatas.
Soothing Music & Kajal
Evening meditation or sadhana with soothing evening ragas (tunes) are very relaxing and help to unwind. Massage or rub your feet for a few minutes with warm sesame oil before you go to sleep. Apply two drops of warm castor oil or homemade kajal (Indian eye ointment) in both your eyes to improve vision and ground vata. Kajal is made by simply holding stainless steel (two or three inches wide dish over a flame using castor oil or ghee wick. This is done for few minutes to make the carbon thick so it is enough to collect in a small container for storing for future use. The collected carbon from the bottom of the dish is called kajal. Another simple method is to burn an almond and to collect the carbon from its flame collected in the same way. Sometimes little castor oil and tiny bit of edible camphor is added to this carbon for further purification of the eyes. Camphor may sting the eyes a little but much benefit is derived to the eyes. One of the sitting places of vata is in the eyes. Therefore one will see Indian women wearing kajal everyday to be grounded. Presently chemical eye liners are used on the outside of the eyes for cosmetic purposes and the importance of kajal is almost forgotten.
Recreation
Beneficial activities for vatas include: SlowYoga, poses, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, walking, short hikes, slow bicycling, light tennis, golf, slow dance, and aerobics.
Movies: Vata people should avoid watching sad, violent or over stimulating movies.
Yoga, Japa & Sadhana (Spiritual Practices)
Practicing yoga and meditation helps to channel your brain waves in the right and positive direction. The twelve alternate nostril breathing is called pranayam and is the best suited yoga exercise for balancing vata, apart from the cat, camel, cobra and cow positions. If practiced regularly, it increases flexibility, physical strength and endurance in your body.
Surya Namaskar is called the king of all yogas. It can be performed without much exertion. There are so many kinds of yoga that confuse the layperson. For example hot and fast paced yoga are detrimental for vata people because they create a stimulating effect in mind and body.
Today’s life is filled with uncertainly and stress. People have strayed away from the basic meaning of life. Hence, it is very essential to connect with the Supreme Being and devote a few minutes to become one in Spirit. It is also recommended to read Holy Scriptures during early mornings, recite quiet mantras called japa meditation etc. Vedic spiritual sadhana is scientific and helps body, mind and spirit to boost energy in the mornings, relax in the evenings and protect one from all negativity all the time. This is proven by Spiritual Science Research Foundation organization (SSRF). Lighting of incense, ringing of bells and conch shells, performing a simple ceremony with bhajans and kirtans uplifts the soul, calms the mind and connects the soul to the Super soul. Thus, the natural Vedic lifestyle is adopted by many broadminded, spiritual and health conscious people even in Western countries now. The best example is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This society has many centres in all major cities in the world where people can learn and participate in these teachings daily. This morning and evening sadhana exposes one to natural aromatic healing substances like frankincense, aguru, sandalwood, Tulasi (holy basil), Ganges water, ghee lamps and beautiful audience of the deities, dancing and chanting to spiritual vibrations in congregation and reciting the Holy Scriptures. These are age old natural lifestyle habits which people have forgotten, thus we see so many health concerns in people’s lives today. If these daily routines are brought back, then a person’s life will be very uplifted, soothed, nurtured and rejuvenated; body, mind and spirit.