Hi.
I’m Alicia.
Establishing a supportive daily routine is a crucial part of the Ayurvedic lifestyle,
but it is extra essential when vata is provoked.
Today, I want to share with you why vata benefits from having a daily routine, how to get started
in creating a routine that works for YOU, and our top 5 tips for balancing vata with
your everyday habits.
Let’s get started!
Vata is highly mobile and active, so when it is elevated, we are likely to feel over-committed,
stressed-out, and exhausted.
Our bodies may feel fragile and run down, our minds flighty and ungrounded.
And as much as we may resist it, a sense of routine is potent medicine for balancing vata
because it creates a number of anchor points throughout the day that serve to ground one’s
energy, calm the nervous system, and disrupt the self-perpetuating cycles of stress and
busy-ness that have become the norm for so many of us.
If you are new to creating your own Ayurvedic daily routine, we have a couple of suggestions
right off the bat that will help you follow through on your intentions.
First, it’s important to note that following an Ayurvedic daily routine does not mean that
you should schedule every moment of every day.
Instead, it’s about creating consistency with a handful of habits that are repeated
each day at similar times.
This invites the body to relax into a sense of safety, normalcy, and ease.
And second, while the traditional Ayurvedic daily routine could easily require several
hours of your day, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of starting small.
Begin with just a few simple commitments that you feel confident about accomplishing every
day.
Even small actions done regularly can have incredible impacts on your health and well-being—things
like going to bed and getting up at the same times each day, eating three square meals
daily at roughly the same times, and pampering yourself with one or two quiet, nourishing
practices that calm the mind.
Narrow down your list of potential habits to focus on by being realistic and considering
your schedule, lifestyle, and preferences.
After all, this is YOUR routine, so it should reflect what works for you.
On a side note: Even though food and diet are an essential part of a daily routine,
we’re not going to discuss that in this video.
Click this link for our in-depth video on vata foods and diet if that’s what you’re
looking for.
Alright.
Now that we know why vata is balanced by a daily routine and how you can begin to create
your own, let’s move on to our top 5 tips that you’ll want to consider including in
your own daily routine.
#1 Less is More
Vata embodies the energy of movement, which in excess can feel like “over-tasking”
rather than healthy “multi-tasking.”
This quickly results in scattered attention and drained energy.
Sound familiar?
It’s important to remind yourself that less is more and that, by keeping things simple,
you are less likely to wear yourself out.
We know.
Not easy to do when vata is in the driver’s seat!
But, by letting go of unnecessary tasks throughout the day, we tend to have more space to slow
down and make better decisions, which generally supports balance for vata and can help to
prevent stress.
#2 Take Rest Seriously Where vata is concerned, getting adequate
rest is super important.
Try to hit the hay by 10pm—you’ll probably sleep more soundly—and get at least 7 hours
of sleep, but preferably 8 or 9.
In addition to your regular sleep schedule, allowing enough time for rest throughout your
whole day is deeply rejuvenating and vata-balancing.
Because excess vata can result in feeling tired and run down, honoring the need for
rest is truly one of the most important things you can do.
Leave space in your schedule for down time, rest, and relaxation.
You might even like to take some time to pamper yourself…think massage, steam bath, or restorative
yoga.
Personally, when I feel my vata is high, I find every opportunity for even a moment of
rest, bonus if it includes being horizontal!
I love to lay in the grass at the park or do a restorative inversion in the middle of
a long work day.
That mid-afternoon break is like a reboot to my system and keeps me feeling good for
the rest of the day.
#3 Get Oiled Up The Ayurvedic practice of Abhyanga, or oil
self-massage, is recommended in almost every daily routine practice, but it’s especially
important for vata.
This ancient practice is incredibly calming, nourishing, rejuvenating, and stabilizing…
all things that vata could use more of consistently.
If you want to learn more about Abhyanga and how to do it, just click here.
To make this practice part of your daily routine, use about about ? cup warm herbal massage
oil, our favorite is Vata Massage Oil, and give your body some loving self-care once
a day.
Traditionally, it’s done in the morning before bathing, but you may find another time
in the day that works better for you.
And hey, if you don’t have time to do your whole body, at least oil your feet, hands,
and ears before bed.
That’s what I do when time is tight but I know I could use the grounding effects of
oil self-massage!
#4 Do Nadi Shodhana aka Alternate Nostril Breathing
Yogic breathwork, or pranayama, is a potent way to balance both the mind and the physical
body.
Nadi Shodhana, also called Alternate Nostril Breathing, is a slow, energy equalizing, and
deeply vata-balancing practice that reduces stress and enhances the ability to concentrate.
If you can fit even a couple minutes of Nadi Shodhana into your morning, you will likely
feel its effects throughout the day.
But again, you may find another time in the day that works better for you, and you’ll
still feel the benefits.
For full instructions on how to practice Nadi Shodhana, just click here.
#5 Move, but Not Too Much!
When vata is high, we want to be very slow and intentional about physical activity.
Too much intense exercise can actually be quite vata-aggravating.
So, if you are going to be active, take it easy and follow the principles of the Vata-Pacifying
Approach to Fitness.
Click here to read our guide!
The best forms of exercise for vata are those that are relatively slow, gentle, and grounding—things
like specifically vata-pacifying yoga poses, any gentle stretching, walking, gentle cycling,
tai chi, chi gong, or swimming.
The best time of day to exercise is when kapha predominates the atmosphere, between 6–10
a.m. and 6–10 p.m.
Over all, take care to listen to your body and move slowly.
Focus on cultivating fluidity in your movements.
Avoid moving quickly, and see if you can foster a relaxed, restorative relationship with your
activities.
And those are our top 5 tips for balancing vata with your daily routine.
We hope you find this video helpful as you begin to craft the perfect vata-balancing
daily routine for you.
We’d love to hear what is a MUST in your vata-balancing daily routine, so share with
us in the comments below.
Thanks for watching!