Transitioning to Vata Time of Life with Grace
Thank you to those who joined our recent live discussion about the Vata Time of Life. We covered a LOT of ground. To recap, vata is ruled by air and ether and is the time of life after raising children, retirement and menopause. This is a time here we are considered Elders. I must say, referring to the Elders of our community can make some uncomfortable and I believe that is because instead of celebrating the gifts of wisdom, insight, and reflection that come with this aging, we have attached shame. I regret that so much because when handled properly and when we start there preparations in advance, the vata time of life is one of enjoyment for as the accumulation of knowledge, experience and our ability to love ourselves wholeheartedly can truly make it the best time of life.
When we approach vata time of life, the production of estrogen and progesterone in the body decreases, the skin becomes drier along with other functions of the body, and things start to look and feel a bit different, particularly for women. With the decrease of hormone production and the drying that occurs, there can also be a decrease in ojas. I like to think of ojas as a superpower that provides strong immunity and vitality, making us resilient and “juicy.” Ojas helps us to tolerate our external environment and gives us strength, endurance, joy and so many other lovely gifts. When mismanaged, ojas becomes low and results in low immunity, low resilience and oftentimes, burn out and illness.
Some of the best ways to ensure we maintain strong ojas and to decrease the dryness created by the mobility, coolness, and subtlety of vata, Ayurveda suggests implementing some practices that increase moisture in the body, provide grounding, grow immunity, and have the ability to stop the onset of more severe illnesses related to aging (dementia, alzheimers, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, hypertension and more). The thing all of these particular illnesses have in common is they are a result of an excess of vata dosha in the body. When we create a container for vata and manage it well, we can benefit from the gifts that vata has to offer. When mismanaged, vata becomes in excess and pushes deep into the tissues of the body, creating the above mentioned illness!
No matter your age, beginning to manage vata properly right now will surely have a large impact on long-term health of the body and mind. It is never too early to start!
Some of the practices that are recommended for managing vata and ojas are:
Routines - When we engage in a consistent routine, we create reliability and offset the erratic nature of vata. Which daily practices can you absolutely commit to at a particular time of day to keep the vata at bay? Mealtimes, bedtime, waking time, movement and spiritual practices are a few nice places to start.
Abhyanga - The practice of self-application of oil over the body. Sesame oil and coconut oil are great choices. This loving practice holds a great number of benefits and is simple and, for most of my clients, becomes a favorite part of their weekly routine. Abhyanga can be done daily or several times weekly, depending on your schedule and ability to tolerate the oil.
Ghee - 1 tsp - 3 TBS ghee per day contributes to weight loss, increases lean body mass, reduces excess fat and provides the body with extra energy. Ghee can lower cholesterol when used appropriately and cools and moisturizes the entire body, making it the perfect tool for vata dosha and increasing ojas. Use ghee in the place of butter, as a cooking oil, or add it to coffee or tea.
Calm the mind - Use meditation, nature walks and quiet time to reduce stress and incorporate stillness, which will reduce the mobility that increases vata dosha.
Digestion - Use warm spices, cooked and warm unctuous foods, and even practitioner recommended herbs to keep the digestion in tip-top shape. It can’t be stressed enough that most chronic disease begins in the digestive system and so those pesky symptoms that show up are your body’s way of sending a message for help! Gas, bloating, indigestion, constipation, and more are all important messages from the body.
Make peace with your past - When the mind is distracted from the present and focused on the past, there is literal backwards movement; a major factor in vata being disrupted. Talk therapy, meditation, journaling and other exercises are great ways to quiet the naggings of the past and be in the here and now.
Pranayama - Use vata pacifying breathing practices to give a container for the movement of vata dosha and prana in the mody. Rather than it blowing out the top, conscious breathing allows the movement of vata dosha to benefit (think creativity, gratitude, zest for life, and motivation) us rather than wear us thin trying to contain it.
Moon Bathing - Sit under the full moon to absorb the coolness and to be invigorated by its energy.
Vata pacifying movement/exercise - Walks in nature, Tai Chi, grounding yoga and weight lifting are beneficial for vata dosha. Long, hot runs or anything else with an erratic nature can be more vitiating than supportive to vata.
Vaginal Suppositories - Treat vaginal dryness with vaginal suppositories made of ghee or sesame oil. Contact me for more information on this process. Also, tulsi tea and even just proper hydration with water are great for combatting vaginal dryness. For men, care of the prostate is of most importance leading up to the vata time of life. Contact a practitioner for support with this process.
Bone Health - Vata effects the bones significantly as the mobility in the body creates a drying out of the bones, causing them to become brittle. Get plenty of calcium and fiber and make sure bowel movements are regular to ensure bone health. Vata has its home in the large intestine and so gas and irregular bowel release are signs that vata is upset and, in time, will drive deeper into the body and eventually upset the bones. Consider an anuvasana basti (consult with an Ayurvedic Practitioner for more information) for bowel and bone health.
Hydrate - be sure you get plenty of warm or room -temperature water to keep the body hydrated.
Sleep - Be sure to get plenty of sleep to keep vata from running away with your sanity! The best sleep happens between 10pm and 2am so if you have trouble sleeping, be sure to go to bed early. Contact a Practitioner if you want to learn more about using Ayurvedic herbal formulations to support sleep. Please note that sleeping aides (ambien, for example) may help with sleep short term but their qualities are very vata vitiating and the long term side effects are damaging to the nervous system.
Practice gratitude - Vata feels safe when reminded of all that it has. Write 3 things that you are grateful for per day to keep vata connected to the good and to stay present and grounded!
Connect to Community - Vata doesn’t like to be lonely! Create a community of loving people with similar interests to keep vata grounded and feeling safe and loved. The transition to an empty nest or retirement puts a lot of strain on vata. Whenever there is space where there once was not (the birth of a baby, the loss of a loved one, leaving an important job or city, etc.) we must manage the space with love and care.
If you are interested in learning to manage vata dosha with regular practices and routines and through proper diet, consider joining our upcoming Seasonal Ayurvedic Detox. Many of the above mentioned recommendations will be covered in this process and it’s a great opportunity to take your Ayurvedic knowledge to the next level; learn more or register here.
