If you are Vata-predominant, you are normally thin and wiry. But that doesn't mean weight gain will never be a problem for you.
Sometimes Vata types are thin all their lives and then suddenly put on weight because their metabolism has changed. Vata-predominant people are susceptible to mental stress, because they tend to overuse or misuse their minds. When under stress, they also tend to forget to eat regularly, thus disturbing their digestion, creating ama (toxins) and clogging the channels. This is often the precursor to weight gain.
Managing Vata imbalance and weight gain
For a Vata person, the most important thing is to reduce mental stress and to nourish the body with light, easily digestible food.
To reduce mental stress, you can practice the Transcendental Meditation® program, which studies have proven to be the most effective technique for dissolving mental, emotional, and physical stress. It takes only 20 minutes twice a day, but its effect in improving the quality of life is enormous.
Routine is important
People with a predominance of Vata dosha need a regular routine, to balance the uneven, variable nature of Vata dosha.
It's important that they go to bed early, well before 10:00 p.m. and rise before 6:00 a.m. A regular routine with adequate sleep is one of the best antidotes to Vata imbalance.
Regular meals are essential, with three warm, cooked meals a day. It's important to eat them at the same time every day, as Vata digestion tends to be irregular. By eating at the same time, your digestive enzymes will prepare to digest the food and digestion will be stronger.
Avoid work that is stressful to the mind, and practice relaxing exercise such as yoga and pranayama (breathing exercises).
A daily oil massage (abhyanga) is important for Vata. Youthful Skin Massage Oil helps alleviate dry skin that is often a result of Vata imbalance. The skin is one of the primary seats of Vata dosha in the body, so massaging your body every morning with warm, Vata-pacifying oil can go a long way toward soothing your entire nervous system and emotions. The more relaxed you are, and the more regular your routine, the better you will withstand day-to-day stress, and the less likely you are to fall prey to weight imbalances.
It's not healthy for anyone to always be rushing around, to constantly have to hurry, and it's especially harmful to people with Vata imbalances. If you find yourself in that situation, it's important to cultivate a habit of taking it easy and slowing down. Learn to structure a more relaxed, royal daily routine. This is important for mental, emotional, and physical health.
Eat a balanced diet
When Vata dosha is the underlying cause of a weight problem, it's important to eat a balanced diet that is easy to digest but also nurturing.
Eat a tridoshic diet (balancing to all three doshas). Avoid the following:
- Foods that are too hot and spicy (such as food spiced with chilies, cayenne, and black mustard seed)
- Foods that are ice cold, such as ice cream, iced drinks, and cold, heavy desserts
- Foods that are too heavy (such as aged cheeses, meats, and heavy desserts)
- Foods that are too light and dry, such as crackers, cold cereals, and packaged snacks.
- Leftovers, frozen, canned or packaged foods
- Processed foods of all kinds
Eat foods that are fresh, organic, and whole. Favor foods that transform easily into ojas, the product of perfect digestion that improves immunity, bliss and happiness in the body, rather than ama.
- For breakfast, try stewed apples and pears.
- For dinner, eat whole grains and soups made with fresh vegetables and pulses.
- For the main meal at noon, include organic vegetables such as zucchini and loki squash, grains such as quinoa, light proteins such as split mung dhal soups, and light dairy products such as lassi and panir.
Cook with light, nourishing oils such as ghee and olive oil, and spices such as turmeric, coriander, cumin and fennel.
Herbs that heal
Vital Lady and Vital Man are excellent for managing Vata-induced weight imbalance. These herbal formulas strengthen resistance to stressful situations and increase creativity, mental abilities, and emotional balance. They also aid the body's natural digestion, elimination and purification systems. The overall result is an increase in energy and vitality.
Someone who has gained weight due to Vata disorders would also benefit greatly from taking Worry Free tablets and the Worry Free Tea. These natural products nurture the mind and help counteract mental strain. The Worry Free Tea contains Brahmi, a famous herb for reducing stress and anxiety.
Other herbs used in Worry Free Tea include Ashwagandha (winter cherry) and Arjuna. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic, which means that it combats physical fatigue that converts to mental dullness. Arjuna is an ancient herb contained in the Blissful Joy tablets, which are helpful for managing emotional stress, another possible cause of weight gain.
Take our Dosha Quiz to learn if you’re a Vata-dominant type.
© 1999, 2023 Maharishi AyurVeda Products International, Inc. (MAPI). All Rights Reserved. MAPI does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
