Monday, March 27, 2006

Vata lifestyle, Kapha diet

Let's go back to the issue of weight loss from the Ayurvedic point of view.

Most of us are not pure Kaphas, but it is a Kapha way of eating that will help us Vatas and Pittas lose weight (as explained in my recent post). However, Ayurveda is not exclusively about food -- that is one part of it. We are whole, complex systems made up of the 5 elements, and many factors will increase or decrease the fire or air or water in, not only our physical bodies, but also our spirit and mentality.

Following that logic, there are a variety of ways to alter our beings (or nudge our doshas towards balance), through rituals, meditation, exercise, surroundings, as well as diet. Today I will outline what Ayurveda prescribes to Vatas to create mental and emotional balance.

VATA ROUTINES

~ listen to pleasant, soothing music (such as raga, reggae or nature sounds) between 4 and 7pm daily

~ every night before going to sleep, massage wrists, hands, feet and nape of neck with sesame or almond oil scented with rose or jasmine

~ aromatheraphy with rose, jasmine, clove, cinnamon or orange

~ keep warm and surround yourself with pleasant sounds

~ twice a week take a hot bath with 1-2 cups sea salt, followed by the scented sesame oil rub all over your skin

~ meditation and slow, calming yoga daily between 4 and 7pm, or whenever possible

~ exercise can be gentle swimming and enjoyable walks and bike rides

~ keep a daily routine, get lots of rest and go to bed early


It's important to have a Vata-pacifying lifestyle if you are a Vata, especially if you are following a Kapha-pacifying diet for weight loss. This is because foods that lower Kapha tend to increase Vata, and you want to avoid getting too hyper or nervous, or exacerbate physical issues like dry skin or digestive complaints. Vata-balancing is all about soothing yourself and indulging in warming, calming habits that promote tranquility.

2 comments:

Hanneke said...

I am a family doctor. After I want to an ayurvedic Spa 10 years ago( actually I thought it was more like a beautyfram so it was kind of a cultureshock) I got more and more interested in ayurveda for treating myself . I went back to the spa 2 years ago and now I had 2 weeks off now one week itravelled and this week iplanned to stay home and take care about myself , try to meditate , cook ayurvedic food and so . A maharishi ayurveda Spa is very nice but very expensive, but its not the daily life , who has time to rub herself with sesameoil every morning for 20 minutes for instance. Iam so glad I found your website here. I will cook some recipe this week
Hanneke from Germany

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