Ayurvedic texts describe three energies or forces that govern all the activities of mind and body. Vata dosha, the dosha that governs winter, is made up of the two elements space and air.

People with more Vata in their constitutions tend to be thin, with a slender frame and prominent joints, delicate skin that is naturally dry, and dry voluminous hair. They are quick and lively in thought, speech and action, and make friends easily. They are light sleepers and gravitate towards warm environments. Creativity and enthusiasm are hallmarks of balanced Vata.

If your prakriti or original constitution has more Vata in it, you will exhibit many of the characteristics and qualities of Vata when you are in balance than people who have more Pitta or Kapha in their make-up.

And that's natural. But if the qualities become extreme, or more pronounced than usual at a given time, then the Vata in you has in all likelihood become aggravated or imbalanced, and needs to be brought back into balance. And if a predominantly Kapha or Pitta person starts exhibiting many Vata qualities, that indicates a Vata imbalance in that Kapha or Pitta body type. In both cases, it is then time to follow a Vata-balancing diet and lifestyle to help restore the level of Vata in the physiology to its normal proportion.

Factors that can cause Vata dosha to increase in the physiology include a diet that contains too many dry or raw foods, over-consumption of ice-cold beverages, exposure to cold dry winds, a variable daily routine, too much travel, and mental overexertion. Vata tends to increase in most people's physiologies in the late fall and winter, and almost everyone can benefit by giving some attention to bringing it back into balance.

Signs that you need to balance Vata

• Are you constantly worried, anxious, overwhelmed, fretful?
• Do you feel tired but find yourself unable to slow down and relax?
• Do you find it difficult to settle down and fall asleep at night?
• Is your sleep restless when you do manage to fall asleep?
• Is your skin feeling dryer than usual, stretched taut or flaking?
• Is your hair more brittle, with split ends happening oftener?
• Are your lips raw and chapped? Is your throat constantly dry?
• Is your digestion irregular? Do you experience problems with abdominal gas?
• Do you feel like you cannot sit still, that you need to be constantly moving?
• Do you feel "spaced out"?
• Is it harder to remember things for more than a short period of time?
• Is your attention span shorter than usual?
• Is it harder to focus?
• Do your bowel movements occur less than once daily?

If you answered yes to many of the questions above, following a Vata-balancing diet and lifestyle can help restore balance.

Dietary Recommendations

Include foods that are liquid or unctuous in your daily diet to balance dryness, some "heavy" foods to offer substance and sustained nourishment, foods that are smooth in texture to offset roughness and foods that are warm or hot to balance the cool nature of Vata. So what exactly does this mean in terms of foods you should choose and foods you should stay away from? Here are some specific dietary tips:

1. If you need to balance Vata, a fat-free diet is not for you. Cook foods with a little ghee (clarified butter) or include some olive oil in your diet everyday. Avoid too many dry foods such as crackers, dry cold cereal and the like.
2. Cooked foods, served hot or warm, are ideal for balancing Vata. Pureed soups, hot cereal and warm rice pudding are excellent "comfort" foods and help pacify Vata. Avoid or minimize raw foods such as salads and raw sprouts.
3. The three Ayurvedic tastes that help balance Vata are sweet, sour and salty, so include more of these tastes in your daily diet. Eat less of the bitter, pungent and astringent tastes.
4. Nuts are wonderful Vata-pacifiers. Soak ten almonds overnight. Blanch and eat in the early morning for a healthy burst of energy.
5. Carrots, asparagus, tender leafy greens, beets, sweet potatoes and summer squash such as zucchini and lauki squash are the best vegetable choices. They become more digestible when chopped and cooked with Vata-pacifying spices.
6. Basmati rice is ideal for balancing Vata. Cook it with a little salt and ghee for added flavor.
7. Ayurvedic spices such as small quantities of turmeric, cumin, coriander, dried ginger, black pepper and saffron offer flavor, aroma and healing wisdom.
8. Drink lots of warm water through the day.
   

  Lifestyle Recommendations

1. Since Vata dosha is characterized as restless, constantly in motion and irregular, the primary lifestyle recommendation for balancing Vata is to maintain a regular routine. That means rising and going to bed at roughly the same times each day, eating three meals at about the same times each day, and following a similar pattern of work and rest from day to day.
2. Do not skip meals. Eat a nourishing lunch at mid-day and lighter meals at breakfast and dinner.
3. Daily elimination is very important to prevent ama (partially digested food) from accumulating in the body. The Ayurvedic remedy Triphala helps promote regularity as well as toning the digestive system.
4. To pamper dry skin, to promote circulation and to nourish and tone muscles and nerves, indulge in an Ayurvedic massage every morning before you bathe or shower.
5. Protect yourself from the cold and wind. Stay warm and toasty in cold weather by wearing several layers of clothing.
6. Walking is the ideal exercise for balancing Vata. Walk in the early morning, for about 20 minutes every day.
7. You may have to woo sleep if Vata dosha is aggravated. It is important to get to bed early, so that you can get adequate rest each night.
8. Set aside about 30 minutes each day for meditation, to help calm the mind and enhance body-mind-spirit coordination.

Shreelata Suresh is a yoga instructor from the Bay Area, and she writes on yoga and Ayurveda for different publications. To subscribe to free newsletters on Ayurveda, or for more information, please visit http://www.ayurbalance.com. 

Disclaimer: 
Information provided in this article is for the sole purpose of imparting education on Ayurveda and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult your physician.