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External treatments to cure vata imbalance: –

• Wear warm and layered clothes
• Administer regular body and head massages
• Avoid fasting or going empty stomach for long
• Take regular steam baths
• Practice mild purification procedures like basti or vamana

What foods should vata avoid?

Vegetables – Indulge: Avocado, asparagus, chillies, cilantro, beets, carrots, green chillies, green beans, garlic, leek, okra, mustard greens, olives, onion, peas, parsnip, pumpkin, spinach, squash, sweet potato, and zucchini. Avoid: Artichokes, bitter melon, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots (raw), bell peppers, cauliflower, celery, chillies, eggplant, corn, dandelion (green), kale, lettuce, mushroom, olive (green), potato (white), radish, spinach (raw), sprout, tomato and turnip.

What is the main cause of vata dosha?

Cause for High Vata Levels – If your Vata levels are high, the following triggers may be the reason:

Extremely cold or dry weather. Eating cold food can increase Vata levels. Foods that are too light and quick to digest can increase Vata levels. For example, light poha. Excessive fasting, excessive workouts, extremely long brisk walks, and other similar activities for weight loss can increase Vata. In winter, the cold weather increases Vata on the skin level, resulting in dryness. Foods that dry up the mouth, skin, or stools increase dryness and aggravate the Vata. Excessive sexual activity can also cause dryness and increase Vata. Depletion of tissues can cause Vata levels to shift. Injuries on the vital points in the body (Marmas) can increase Vata levels.

Does fasting increase vata?

Fasting for Vata – Because fasting increases the qualities of light, dry, and cold, fasting can provoke, If you have a vata constitution or have a vata imbalance, you should never do a water fast, nor should you fast for more than two days. You can consider fasting during the change of the seasons or at most once a month.

If you are in good health and have good vitality, you can mono-fast with sweet orange, mango, or grape juice, which are all vata pacifying. If a health condition exists, it is generally better to do a mono-fast of kitchari, being careful not to deplete yourself. Vatas can drink warming teas made with, a pinch of, and a squeeze of lime, or and tea.

A 12–24 hour fast is a good place to start.

Does lemon increase vata?

It helps to reduce stress and anxiety and promote sleep due to its Vata balancing property. It also helps to reduce body pain as an aggravated Vata is responsible for pain in the body and Lemon oil has Vata balancing property.

Is vata an anxiety?

Anxiety is an extremely common problem, affecting approximately 23.4 percent of females and 14.3 percent of males, In fact, it is the most common mental disorder worldwide. Data from the National Institute of Mental Health suggest that around 31 percent of adults can expect to experience some type of anxiety disorder in their lifetime.

Only about one-third of those who experience anxiety seek formal treatment, but anxiety is one of the most common reasons that people use holistic and alternative modalities. From an Ayurvedic perspective, anxiety is an imbalance in the Vata dosha, Vata is the “air” principle. It is light, dry, and mobile.

An imbalance of Vata, mentally, is associated with an overabundance of lightness or movement—erratic thoughts, worries, obsession, confusion, and difficulty focusing. Vata imbalance is also associated with a hyper-excitable nervous system and trouble sleeping.

What mental problems do vata dosha have?

Ayurvedic Perspective on Mental Health / Do you know what doesn’t add up for me? When we are physically unwell we take time to allow the body to recover, so why do we not do the same for when our stress levels increase or our mood and emotions fluctuates? Why do medical doctors easily prescribe a pill when we are feeling unhappy or anxious as a blanket solution? and why are anti-depressants so common? Conventional medicine suppresses the negative (and positive) thoughts produced by the ‘mental illness’ by altering the neurochemicals within the brain while allowing just the cognitive function to take place.

Fluctuation in our mood is an inevitable part of life and we must understand our mind just as we need to understand the body to know where our vulnerabilities lie. We don’t have to feel burdened with mental health issues or feel embarrassed. With the foot flooring the gas pedal of life and exposure to more and more stressors, insomnia, anxiety and depression have become an epidemic.

I see so many of these issues in parallel with physical conditions caused by an underlying imbalance. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of people in the UK in 2017 ‘felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed and unable to cope’. Don’t despair, there are lots of options and help available before you even have to consider going to the GP to pop a pill.

A Vata mind will react quickly, impulsively, be hyper-sensitive and easily agitated and instable. A Vata mind can quickly be driven into fear, anxiety, compulsive thinking and uncontrollable pessimistic thinking. A Pitta mind will tend to get easily frustrated, agitated and angry. There could be a tendency for confrontation, blaming, criticising, aggression and even narcissism. Deep down these displays may be triggered by insecurity and perceived loss of control. A Kapha mind can tend to become heavy, clouded and dull, and veers towards indulgent and obsessive behavioursm excessive sleep, insensitivity, interia and depression.

The Gunas The gunas are the three energies that influence our mental faculties (perception, thoughts, emotions and responses). We need all of them at some level for our mind to functional optimally. However an excess of tamas and rajas can create imbalances

Tamas brings stability and grounding but if imbalanced can lead to inertia, stubbornness, greed, dullness, ignorance, stagnation. Rajas brings activity, movement, passion and drive but when imbalanced can display over drive, craving of attention and power and aggressive nature. This energy can help reduce and balance tamas. Sattva is pure balanced energy we can never have too much of this quality, it stimulates peace, expansiveness, compassion, wisdom.

Ayurveda considers health to be a balance of mental, physical and spiritual wellness. Our physical and mental health is completely intertwined and we must look at ourselves in this holistic light. There is no one pill for an ill, mental or physical!

Thousands of years ago vedic scholars wrote about traditional mental health promoting practices – all of which contribute to a healthier state of mind that considered the personalisation for each patient based on the doshas and gunas. Mental health wellness falls into 3 broad categories: SATVAVAJAYA This involves the practice of yoga, Yama & Niyama (ethical living and self discipline), supportive relationships, proper interpretations through sensory organs, Pranayama (breathing practices) that increase our life-force energy, meditation to help us to be present and still. DAIVAVYAPASHRAYA

The element of faith – faith in our ability to heal, faith in a divine source. Using tools such as chanting of mantras that can shift our inner vibration and spiritual rituals (homa) to clear negative energies. YUKTIVYAPASHRAYA Using diet, nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and medhya rasayana (mental cleansing and rejuvenating) herbs such as ashwagandha, brahmi, mandukaparni, vacha, tagara, bala, shatavari, nutmeg, and purification treatments (panchakarma) to bring back dosha and guna balance to the mind.

Does stress increase vata?

The Vata Response to Stress – Vata types are quick thinking, scattered, enthusiastic, creative, and bursting with ideas. They are naturally more susceptible to stress due to an increase in this dosha, which will show itself through fear, anxiety, panic, insomnia, feelings of isolation and a loss of appetite.

What is the best breakfast for Vata?

Daily Meal Examples for Vata Dosha One of the best foods for breakfast is hot cereals – things like oatmeal, rice or wheat porridge, cream of wheat or rice pudding. Well, actually you can have other grains as well; just have them well cooked and warm enough.

Is banana good for Vata?

Fruits that are good for vata include: apples (cooked), apricots, avocado, banana (ripe), berries, coconut, fresh dates and figs, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, melons, oranges, papaya, peaches, pineapple, plums, prunes and raisins (soaked), rhubarb and strawberries.

Can Vata eat eggs?

Meat & Eggs – Vata does well with eggs and a variety of different meats, if you choose to eat them. That said, vata can be easily be pacified without these animal foods, if your diet doesn’t already include them. If you do eat meat, the meats to favor are those that are nourishing, sweet, moist, and relatively easy to digest.

Favor	Avoid
Beef Buffalo Chicken (especially dark) Duck Eggs Fish (fresh and salt water) Salmon Sardines Seafood Shrimp Tuna Fish Turkey (dark)	Lamb Mutton Pork Venison Turkey (white)

What organs are Vata dosha?

Vata: Leader of the Doshas Although we cannot exist without all of the Doshas, Vata is considered their leader, because it governs all movements. It controls blood flow, elimination of wastes, respiration, and the movement of thoughts across the mind.

1. Consisting of the Air and Space (or ether) elements, Vata is the lightest of the Doshas and easiest to throw off course.
2. Since it is responsible for moving both Pitta and Kapha, which by themselves are immobile, it is important to keep Vata in check.
3. Vata is the flow of life.
4. In Yoga classes, you may have heard the term Prana referenced as “breath” or “life force”.

Prana is actually a Subdosha of Vata and is present in all living things, such as plants and herbs, which is important to consider as we make food choices. If Vata slows down or is blocked, decay sets in. If there is excess Vata, deterioration occurs.

If there is no Vata, there is no life. At the end of the day, Vata may be the Leader, but it is also ultimately the one that destroys. The three Doshas work together to create (Kapha), conduct (Pitta), and destroy (Vatta) all matter. Each Dosha has “seats”, or organs where they have the most natural energetic influence.

Vata is concentrated in the large intestine and colon (sites of “air”), the skin (site of touch and elimination), kidneys, bone, thighs, and ears. Vata’s “sense organ” is the ear and “organs of action” are the throat, mouth, and vocal cords. Vata is associated with sound and speech.

• Although Doshas are not physical entities and cannot be seen, measured, or quantified, they can be sensed.
• Doshas manifest through the build-up and subsequent effects of their qualities (Gunas) if they are not excreted.
• The Gunas and Doshas operate on a like-increases-like principle.
• For example, arid conditions or consuming dehydrating foods and drinks aggravate the already-dry Vata, leading to constipation, flaky skin, or brittle hair and nails.

Vata, in its natural and balanced state, maintains energy of inhalation, exhalation, movements, and acuity of the senses. When aggravated, it can cause excess dryness, hyperpigmentation (dark discoloration), tremors, ringing in the ears (reference back to ears and sound), incoherency of speech (reference back to action of speech), and fatigue.

Physically, people of Vata constitution tend to have visible bony structures and tendons. Their complexion is fair or light brown, and their skin is cold and dry to the touch. They may be either tall or short, but with thin frames and reduced muscle development. Their dry hair can be curly or straight, but is generally scanty and thin.

Vatas have petite and delicate facial features, long and dainty bone structure, and thin, translucent skin. Physiologically, Vatas have low appetite and slow and/or erratic digestion. At times, they may be able to consume and tolerate a large meal without discomfort.

1. Other days they have no appetite at all.
2. Their nature is to be dry – skin, feces, low urine output, and little production of sweat.
3. Due to their dry and light nature, they are also fitful sleepers with periods of insomnia.
4. From a psychological perspective, Vatas are characterized as quick adapters with short memories.

Although they adjust easily to change, they can also be indecisive and often change their minds. Vatas are creative, whimsical, witty, and happy. When all is well, they are flamboyant and eccentric, artsy and espressive. You will find Vatas in fields of interior and graphic design, art, music, and writing.

1. Vatas will often start numerous projects but have trouble managing multiple jobs at once.
2. In excess, Vatas can experience anxiety, stress, overwhelm, fear, and headaches.
3. Most neurologic disorders have roots in Vata.
4. If I was stranded on an island I would definitely want a Vata friend to keep me company.

Not only can I always count on a Vata to make me laugh with their quick wit and comic relief, I can also rely on their ingenuity and creativity to help us out of a sticky situation or construct living quarters out of coconuts and palm leaves. And with their small and erratic appetites, I wouldn’t have to share much food with them.

What are the characteristics of a Vata person?

Ayurveda, a healing science that originated in India, says there are three life energies: the “vata,” “pitta,” and “kapha” doshas. Vata reportedly consists of air and space. Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest healing systems. It originated in India and encourages a holistic healing approach using a combination of diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

1. According to Ayurveda, the world comprises five elements: space, water, earth, fire, and air.
2. These elements combine to form three life energies — vata, pitta, and kapha — which define each person’s constitution.
3. Each person is a unique combination of the three doshas, but they usually have one or two dominant doshas.

Balance among all three doshas creates equilibrium and good health. Ayurvedic medicine recommends certain dietary and lifestyle habits for vata-dominant people that aim to balance their three doshas. Read more to learn about the characteristics, diet, and lifestyle habits of the vata dosha.

1. Vata combines air and space, also called ether.
2. It has links to change, mobility, and movement.
3. According to Ayurveda medicine, it relates to the nervous system and controls breathing, blinking, and circulation.
4. Proponents of the medicine system also say vata is also irregular, rough, flowing, spacious, cold, light, and dry.

People who believe in this healing say those who are vata-dominant are energetic, creative, and flexible. They may also have insufficient or moderate weight, dry skin, and fine hair. The pitta dosha is a bodily energy that reportedly comprises mostly fire with some water.

People believe it helps regulate digestion and may have links to immunity, metabolism, and body temperature. Pitta may also have associations with activity, transformation, and change. It is said to be hot, oily, light, intense, and sharp. The kapha dosha is a bodily energy that reportedly contains water and earth.

It provides stability to the body, moisturizes skin, and heals wounds. It also has links to cohesion, structure, and lubrication. Kapha is reportedly wet, heavy, solid, slow, sticky, cool, dense, and oily. According to Ayurveda, it is important for a person to balance the doshas.

1. This will maximize the positive benefits of each dosha and mitigate negative effects.
2. Vata people often have a small or thin frame and dry skin and hair.
3. They are sensitive to cold weather and may have cold extremities, circulation issues, and joint pain,
4. Their personalities can be entertaining, dynamic, and enthusiastic.

They are also said to be creative, perceptive, and sensitive people. Physically and mentally active, they often multi-task and talk quickly. Vata people may be easily overwhelmed and be prone to changeable moods. When vata people become aggravated, their emotions may manifest as fear, anxiety, and nervousness.

In Ayurvedic medicine, healthy digestion is the foundation of good health. It recommends eating foods that balance the dominant dosha. Vata individuals should eat foods that increase kapha qualities, such as heaviness, stillness, and smoothness. This is said to balance the coldness and lightness of vata.

Some vata individuals have shifting, sensitive digestive patterns and variable appetites. They tend to skip meals or forget to eat, which can lead to unintentional weight loss. They may also experience gas, bloating, and constipation, According to Ayurveda, they should choose warm, moist, and heavy foods that are easily digestible.

Beverages: Buttermilk, warm teas, nut milk, and warm or room temperature water Meat and eggs: Beef, chicken, turkey, and eggs Grains: Rice, oats, quinoa, and wheat Fruits: Berries, peaches, mangoes, melons, bananas, avocados, coconuts, and cooked apples Vegetables: Carrots, beets, squash, lentils, mung beans, sweet potatoes, and green, leafy vegetables Spices: Ginger, basil, bay, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, parsley, and turmeric Nuts and seeds: Almonds, chestnuts, cashews, pistachios, and sunflower and pumpkin seeds Oils: Ghee, avocado oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, and extra virgin olive oil

According to Ayurveda, several lifestyle habits can balance a vata person. Since vata relates to movement and stimulation, many of these practices are calming, soothing, and relaxing. For example, they can also take a relaxing bath or diffuse essential oils.

Activities to relieve stress and bring attention inward include meditation, yoga nidra, and restorative yoga poses. People can also try calming breathing exercises that include Nadi Shodhana, Ujjayi, and Bhramari. While Ayurveda is a long-standing tradition, there is a lack of large, in-depth studies supporting its benefits.

However, some smaller studies back certain Ayurvedic concepts and practices. According to a 2015 study, a person’s dosha can affect sleep quantity and quality. People with a vata constitution took more time to fall asleep and felt less rested in the morning.

They also had more disrupted sleep, which can reduce sleep quality due to fewer periods of deep or slow-wave sleep. A 2019 review suggests Ayurveda may be beneficial in treating type 2 diabetes. It found that herbs, such as bitter melon, fenugreek, and holy basil, may boost immunity and lower blood sugar levels.

People can take herbs in supplements form or use them for hot oil and powder massages. Ayurvedic medicine says that balancing the doshas — forms of life energy — is integral to maintaining mental, spiritual, and physical health. Highly energetic, vata individuals often have dynamic, lively personalities but may feel easily overwhelmed.

What is a Vata lifestyle?

Vata types are often drawn to high-impact forms of exercise, such as jogging. However, they are balanced by a gentler, flowing, meditative form of exercises such as yoga, tai chi or Pilates. Stretching and swimming are also ideal, along with regular walks in natural places.

What is the best bedtime for vata?

The Ayurvedic clock

Time	Dominant dosha
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.	vata
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.	kapha
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.	pitta
2 a.m. to 6 a.m.	vata

Does exercise reduce vata?

Vata Dosha – Vata body types move fast, are naturally enthusiastic, and hyper-metabolic. They tend to have quick bursts of high energy, but can tire easily and have poor endurance. Vata body shapes are quite thin and they find it hard to put on weight, so because of this longer, high intensity or endurance exercises are quite depleting and damaging to their body.

Vatas are always on the go. They have great speed and agility, but they can be very restless and even jumpy at times. They love the fast, vigorous sports but their physiology can’t handle too much of this as it shifts them out of balance easily. If Vatas are out of balance they tend to worry, become anxious, have disturbed sleep.

Pitta Dosha Diet [10 Ayurvedic Tips for Balance]

Vatas are prone to over exercise, and when they do they experience dizziness, exhaustion and cramping. Vatas benefit from grounding and calming exercises such as Yoga, walking, cycling and dancing. If anxiety is present then relaxing, subtle exercises such as Tai Qi, Qi Gong and restorative Yoga are extremely healing.

Does coffee increase vata?

Benefits & Qualities of Coffee – In addition to its stimulating, energy-boosting capacities, coffee also contains a number of health benefits. Because of its polyphenol content, coffee has powerful antioxidant properties, which can enable it to combat the free radical damage that can cause disease and aging effects.

(However, these polyphenols tend to be depleted during the roasting process, and so the potential antioxidants of coffee depend in part on the type of roast and how it is prepared.) In addition, nutrition experts suggest that coffee can protect against conditions like heart failure, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancer and stroke.

Furthermore, research has demonstrated that coffee can improve cognitive function and potentially lower rates of depression, Within Ayurvedic tradition, coffee is considered bitter, astringent and drying, which means it boosts air and fire elements. As such, coffee thus increases Vata and Pitta.

What is the best drink for vata?

Vata – Vata is the driest of all three constitutions, being that it is comprised of the ether and air elements. Vata-predominant people, or those with vata imbalances, need the most hydration of all the doshas. This can come from their food (such as fresh fruit and veggies) and, of course, by consuming more liquids.

Sweet, sour, and salty are the tastes that pacify vata best, making most juices appropriate. Milky or creamy drinks are also good, as they help bring a sense of stability and calm. The vata dosha should reduce diuretics, such as coffee and tea, because they can make this constitution’s inherent dryness worse.

Additionally, it’s best to decrease carbonated drinks since this constitution is already made of air. Favor: Warm water, fruit or vegetable juice, herbal teas (chamomile, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon), dairy milk, nut or seed milk Reduce: Black or green tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, caffeinated drinks

How do you remove vata from nerves?

Consider the Addition of Vata-Balancing Herbs – Herbs can help balance vata systemically, but can also optimize the health of the digestive tract (where many joint imbalances originate), kindle agni throughout the system, and encourage the elimination of ama—both from the GI tract and from the joints themselves.

More specific information about how each of these herbs and formulas supports the joints is provided below. Yogaraj Guggulu Guggulu resin is a penetrating, detoxifying, and rejuvenating herb renowned for its ability to scrape naturally accumulating toxins from the gross and subtle channels of the body (physical and energetic pathways), but also for its capacity to carry other herbs deep into specific tissues.

This traditional Ayurvedic formula has long been used to balance excess vata in the joints, nerves, and muscles. Take one Yogaraj Guggulu tablet three times per day.8 Or, if you prefer, this formula is also available as a powder ; take ¼ teaspoon three times per day with warm water.9 Guduchi Guduchi is a powerful nutritive tonic that effectively removes excess vata from the body.

1. It also cleanses the blood, supports circulation, tonifies the nervous system, and helps clear ama from the body.
2. It is, therefore, a very effective source of support when excess vata has settled in the joints.10 Ashwagandha Ashwagandha is one of the best herbs for calming vata.
3. It is strengthening, clarifying, and rejuvenating.

It also has a particular affinity for the muscle and bone tissues and supports comfortable joint movement. Ashwagandha is available in several forms: tablets, powder, and a liquid extract, Turmeric While Turmeric is familiar to most of us as a kitchen spice, it offers a plethora of health benefits.

Its warming, clarifying capacity is very balancing when there is excess vata in the joints. It strengthens digestion, helps eliminate natural toxins from the GI tract, and purifies the blood—all while soothing and nourishing the joint tissues. Turmeric is available in several forms: tablets, powder, and a liquid extract,

Licorice Licorice is naturally moisturizing and therefore supports proper lubrication in the gut as well as in the tissues. More General Support of Vata Balance vata systemically with Healthy Vata tablets, To help clear vata from your channels of digestion and elimination, consider Vata Digest tablets,

What is best to drink for vata dosha?

4. Orange, Grapefruit, and Other Citrus Fruit Juices – Recipe: Take a cup of any citrus fruits such as orange, grape, tangerine, or sweet lemon. Add water to make juice. Strain the seeds using a sieve (strainer) and add 2 tsp of honey and some grated ginger to the juice.

Effect On Tridoshas: Orange and sweet lemon (mosambi) juices are good for Vata and Pitta Prakriti people. Grape juice can be consumed by anyone as it balances all the three doshas. Tangerine juice is good for Vata and Kapha people but not for Pitta Prakriti. How Does It Strengthen Your Immune System? Citrus fruits are enriched with vitamin C that helps in increasing the count of your white blood cells.

The antioxidants present in citrus fruits clears the free radicals in your body tissues. When & How To Drink? It is better to have a glass of citrus fruit juice half an hour after your breakfast or lunch. “Avoid starting your day with citrus fruit juices as it increases acid production in your stomach.

How do you remove Vata from nerves?

Consider the Addition of Vata-Balancing Herbs – Herbs can help balance vata systemically, but can also optimize the health of the digestive tract (where many joint imbalances originate), kindle agni throughout the system, and encourage the elimination of ama—both from the GI tract and from the joints themselves.

More specific information about how each of these herbs and formulas supports the joints is provided below. Yogaraj Guggulu Guggulu resin is a penetrating, detoxifying, and rejuvenating herb renowned for its ability to scrape naturally accumulating toxins from the gross and subtle channels of the body (physical and energetic pathways), but also for its capacity to carry other herbs deep into specific tissues.

This traditional Ayurvedic formula has long been used to balance excess vata in the joints, nerves, and muscles. Take one Yogaraj Guggulu tablet three times per day.8 Or, if you prefer, this formula is also available as a powder ; take ¼ teaspoon three times per day with warm water.9 Guduchi Guduchi is a powerful nutritive tonic that effectively removes excess vata from the body.

• It also cleanses the blood, supports circulation, tonifies the nervous system, and helps clear ama from the body.
• It is, therefore, a very effective source of support when excess vata has settled in the joints.10 Ashwagandha Ashwagandha is one of the best herbs for calming vata.
• It is strengthening, clarifying, and rejuvenating.

It also has a particular affinity for the muscle and bone tissues and supports comfortable joint movement. Ashwagandha is available in several forms: tablets, powder, and a liquid extract, Turmeric While Turmeric is familiar to most of us as a kitchen spice, it offers a plethora of health benefits.

• Its warming, clarifying capacity is very balancing when there is excess vata in the joints.
• It strengthens digestion, helps eliminate natural toxins from the GI tract, and purifies the blood—all while soothing and nourishing the joint tissues.
• Turmeric is available in several forms: tablets, powder, and a liquid extract,

Licorice Licorice is naturally moisturizing and therefore supports proper lubrication in the gut as well as in the tissues. More General Support of Vata Balance vata systemically with Healthy Vata tablets, To help clear vata from your channels of digestion and elimination, consider Vata Digest tablets,

What is the best fast for Vata dosha?

Individualizing Fasting by you Dosha Type: – Fasting creates qualities lightness, dryness, heating (improving metabolism), and sharpness. Vata dominant: Individuals with Vata-dominant constitution or those who have Vata-imbalances, fasting recommendation is typically limited to an overnight fast.

1. A period of up to 14 hours gives a good overnight fast between dinner and breakfast.
2. A regular breakfast, healthy lunch, and lighter well-cooked dinner should be taken by Vata individuals.
3. Longer fasts are recommended with high levels of toxicity.
4. Indications include sluggish digestion, feeling of tension or tightness in abdomen after eating, bloating, sharp pains in the stomach, weakness after eating excess gas and burping, constipation, etc.

Individuals are always given supportive herbs with appetizing, warming, and detoxing to promote digestion and elimination of toxins. Regular fasting practice is limited to 1-2 weeks until digestion becomes stronger. Fasting must be done sparingly because of the Vata aggravating drying and lightness quality can make an individual experience dizziness, ungroundedness, pain and degenerative changes.

Pitta dominant : Individual with Pitta-dominant constitution or pitta-imbalance, often cannot tolerate fast very well because of the intense (sharp) state of their agni (metabolic system). Still fasting can be applied sparingly to help with digestion of toxins. Similar to Vata-type, a period of up to 14 hours gives a good overnight fast from dinner to breakfast.

A regular breakfast, healthy lunch, and light, well-cooked dinner should be taken. Longer fasts are rarely recommended because of low tolerance for hunger. Individuals with extreme ama (toxicity) experience strong hunger followed by acidity and/or burning pain in the stomach, burning pain with reflux, loose stools, heat and burning sensation in the lower abdomen, etc.

Individuals are given herbs with soothing, cooling, alternative (blood cleansing) actions, and corrective effects for metabolic activity. Fasting in Pitta dominant individuals may not be tolerable. This can be sign of a healthy agni (metabolism) or excessive agni. Therefore, fasting is only done to facilitate digestion of ama (toxins) in the digestive tract and calming inflammatory activity.

Vegetable juice-based fasting can be done under supervision for individual with extreme pitta-predominance causing chronic inflammatory pain and swellings in the GI tract, joints, and musculoskeletal system. Kapha dominant : Individual with a Kapha-dominant constitution or kapha-aggravation, fast is very easily tolerated because of excess dampness and weakness of agni (metabolic) function.

• Individuals can tolerate fasting up 18 hours.
• However, such prolonged fast should be done for a limited period of time while the dampness is eliminated and agni is strengthened.
• As these functions are established through treatment, Kapha individuals will be able to tolerate a healthy length, 14-16 hours, of overnight fast with ease.

Kapha dominant constitutions and kapha aggravated individuals take the most benefit from regular practice of intermittent fasting. Individuals with kapha and ama (digestive toxins) aggravations experience low hunger, excessive fullness in stomach, heaviness after eating, fatigue and mental fog after eating, often associated with weight gain.

The qualities of heaviness, density, cloudiness, sluggishness, etc. are commonly aggravated. Lightness, dryness, warming effect of fasting promotes balance and even energizing effect. While fasting is implemented clinically, individuals are given herbs that are ama (toxin) digesting. These may include black pepper, ginger, long pepper, haritaki, chitrak, etc.

These impart the warming qualities to balance the cold/dampness of kapha dosha. Individuals are recommended tolerable amount of physical activity and breathing exercises to promote movement and warming effect. Together these synergize the lightness, drying, warming, and sharpness qualities of the fast.

Does walking reduce Vata dosha?

Vata Dosha – Vata body types move fast, are naturally enthusiastic, and hyper-metabolic. They tend to have quick bursts of high energy, but can tire easily and have poor endurance. Vata body shapes are quite thin and they find it hard to put on weight, so because of this longer, high intensity or endurance exercises are quite depleting and damaging to their body.

Vatas are always on the go. They have great speed and agility, but they can be very restless and even jumpy at times. They love the fast, vigorous sports but their physiology can’t handle too much of this as it shifts them out of balance easily. If Vatas are out of balance they tend to worry, become anxious, have disturbed sleep.

Pitta Dosha Diet [10 Ayurvedic Tips for Balance]

Vatas are prone to over exercise, and when they do they experience dizziness, exhaustion and cramping. Vatas benefit from grounding and calming exercises such as Yoga, walking, cycling and dancing. If anxiety is present then relaxing, subtle exercises such as Tai Qi, Qi Gong and restorative Yoga are extremely healing.

Does walking increase Vata?

Best Exercise for Vata – Vatas benefit from gentle, low impact exercise like yoga – especially heated, yin and restorative. Exercise helps their anxiety but they can easily become addicted to vigorous exercise which exhausts them and temporarily prevents them from overthinking.