What it means to be a

Vata

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Overall Element - Vata Characteristics

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About Your Element - Vata

Vata Characteristics

You are composed of all 3 elements or doshas in different and unique combinations. This is what makes YOU unique and special and why Ayurveda is such a powerful tool for creating customized protocols to restore balance and be at your best every day.

You are predominantly Vata, meaning you do things quickly and are changeable like the wind. You walk, talk, act and think fast. You make friends fast, and fall into love as soon as you fall out. You are highly creative and have the ability to tap into the 'ether' to download game-changing ideas. You usually have a thin frame, oval-shaped face, and small eyes and are either very tall or short in stature. You are delicate and sensitive both physically and emotionally. Your emotions and thoughts can be erratic and unpredictable. You can go into balance as quickly as you go out of balance.

When You're In Balance

When you're in balance

You have a natural spark, you light up the room, and your energy is infectious.
You are highly creative, inspired and inspire others.
You are a people magnet and a social chameleon, easily able to make new friends and connect with various different kinds of people.
People look to you for inspiration, your visionary talent and an ability to see what no one else can see.

When You're Out Of Balance

When you're out of balance

You lose your creative spark, Your excessive anxiety and worrying makes you and others feel less secure.
You become introverted and rather retreat till you find your spark again.
You may feel like you no longer belong.
Your mind is full of worry, you may say or do things you regret.
You suffer from anxiety, find it hard to sleep and often feel spaced out.
You are full of tension and suffer from chronic pain, irregular bowel movements and gas.

Potential Careers

In Ayurveda, Vata Dosha is characterized by traits such as creativity, adaptability, flexibility, and a tendency to be quick-thinking but easily overwhelmed. If you are a Vata Dosha individual looking for a career choice, you might consider the following options:

Creative fields: Vata Doshas tend to be highly creative and imaginative, making them well-suited for careers in fields such as writing, art, or music. They have a natural ability to think outside of the box and come up with unique solutions to problems, which can be an asset in creative fields.

Counseling or therapy: Vata Doshas are naturally empathetic and compassionate, making them ideal candidates for careers in counseling or therapy. They have an intuitive understanding of human emotions and can provide guidance and support to those in need.
Education: Vata Doshas have a natural curiosity and love of learning, making careers in education a good fit. They enjoy exploring new ideas and concepts and can adapt easily to changing circumstances in the classroom.

Travel or hospitality: Vata Doshas have a natural love of adventure and exploration, making careers in travel or hospitality a good fit. They are adaptable and can thrive in fast-paced environments, which are common in these industries.

Entrepreneurship: Vata Doshas are naturally creative and innovative, making them well-suited for entrepreneurship. They have a natural ability to come up with new ideas and can adapt quickly to changing circumstances, which are essential qualities for success in business.

Balance Excess Vata

How To Balance Vata

Vata Dosha is one of the three primary doshas in Ayurveda that is made up of the elements Air and Ether. People with a combination of these two elements tend to be incredibly creative and intelligent, often leading them to be termed "airheads". Unfortunately, too much air in the body can lead to excess airiness, which can cause restlessness, anxiety and difficulty focusing on tasks. Fortunately, following a few simple steps can help you achieve balance and keep your Vata in check.

Establish a regular routine: The key to keeping your Vata in check is to create a consistent routine that you follow every day. Ensure you get enough sleep, maintain a consistent waking and sleeping schedule and feed yourself regular healthy meals. Having a regular routine will help you to feel calmer and more grounded, restoring balance in the body
Use calming essential oils: Lavender and sandalwood essential oils are both excellent for grounding and calming the body. Try taking a calming bath with a few drops of your chosen oil and see how it can help balance your Vata.
Be mindful of your diet: The food we eat directly affects our energy levels, and those with a Vata imbalance will benefit from eating foods that are grounding and nourishing. Avoid cold and frozen foods, processed snacks, Eat warm, cooked meals with an increased focus on soups, stews and porridges. Foods like cooked apples, pears, root vegetables, warming grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and some dairy can help restore balance.
Practice yoga, gentle breathwork and meditation: Exercise can be helpful in reducing excess air and calming the mind. Gentle yoga and stretching along with consistent daily meditation can help balance your Vata and make you feel more grounded and connected to your body.
Listen to calming music: Music can have a profound effect on our minds and bodies. Select calming, soothing music and take the time to just relax and soak up the soothing vibes.

By following these tips and taking the time to look after yourself, you too can start to reduce your Vata imbalance and find yourself feeling calmer and more balanced in no time.

Nutrition + Diet

Perfect Nutrition + Diet

Begin your diet by focusing on warm and cooked foods, as these are considered to be less aggravating to the Vata Dosha
Include plenty of proteins, fats and oils such as nuts, seeds, dairy, proteins, some fish and avocados
Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, and hearty cereals such as oats and quinoa
Eat six small meals a day, rather than three larger meals, and make sure to include breakfast in your eating plan
Avoid overly processed and fast foods, as they can increase Vata imbalance
Consume warm beverages, such as hot herbal tea, warm milk or nut milk, and limit consumption of cold drinks
Incorporate spices into your diet such as ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cumin, coriander, and turmeric, as they are all helpful for balancing the Vata Dosha
Make sure to stay properly hydrated with 6 to 8 glasses of water per day
Incorporate healthy fats and oils in your diet, such as extra virgin olive oil and ghee
Consider herbs and supplements as an addition to your diet to further aid in Vata balance.

Disease Tendency

A tendency toward dryness, coolness and lightness
Prone to anxiety, fear and restlessness
Tendency to become stuck in physical, mental and emotional habits
Can have difficulty digesting certain foods and holding onto weight
May suffer from insomnia, difficulty concentrating and chronic fatigue
Symptoms may include joint pain and muscle tension
Skin can become dry and itchy
Prone to constipation and other digestive issues
Susceptible to gas and bloating

Prevention is better than cure,
So it's important to catch the signs and symptoms early and restore balance.

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When Stressed Out

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When Stressed Out

Vata Body

You possess an admirable and unique physique which stands out from the rest. Your body type is slender and light, which is typical of someone who is Vata dominant. You often have an angular and delicate build, with well-defined features, wide shoulders, and delicate limbs.

Your face is often framed with soft, beautiful waves, Your complexion is usually light, with a delicate and often dry feeling to the touch. Your skin could have the occasional dry patch or too much oiliness. Your eyes, in particular, tend to be slightly dull and sensitive with a hint of dark circles from time to time.

You tend to like light and airy clothing that reflects your light body. You are often naturally attracted to bright colors and soft materials, as these tend to do well for your body type. Flowing, free-flowing movements are often suited to you, and yoga is an excellent way for you to connect with your body.

Your hunger levels tend to be fairly inconsistent and unpredictable, with distinct periods of overeating and lower-than-normal appetites. You tend to move with ease, with a delicate and light walk, combined with an inner grace that shows itself in the elegance of your movements.

Though your body is usually slim and delicate, a Vata dominant person may also appear malnourished, so it's important to maintain a well-rounded diet with enough energy and protein to fuel your body. A regular routine and a steady exercise program, both strengthening and gentle movement, can do wonders for your body.

Vata Body When Stressed Out

When you're a Vata dominant person, stress can have a huge impact on your physical body. Your highly sensitive nervous system often experiences the physical effects of stress more acutely.

When you start to get stressed, your system may go into fight or flight mode. This can lead to an increase in your heart rate, as well as an increased respiration rate. You may also experience tightness in your chest, a feeling of panic, or difficulty concentrating.

In addition to the signs of fight or flight, you may also experience specific physical symptoms associated with Vata dominance. These can include digestive disturbances such as bloating, gas, or acid reflux. You might also feel achiness or stiffness in your body as your Vata energy is disrupted by your stress. Sometimes you can also experience insomnia, which is a common symptom of Vata excess.

Having knowledge of your body's response to stress is the key to managing your Vata energy. When you start to feel the physical effects of stress, take a few moments to pause and step back. The practice of yoga and meditation can be incredibly beneficial in managing your Vata energy and bringing your body back into balance.

It's also important to focus on nourishing yourself with deeply grounding, nurturing activities and self-care regimens. Vata types benefit from forms of healing such as taking frequent naps and going to bed early, as well as consuming warm, cooked meals and nourishing oils such as sesame and ghee.

Having an understanding of the physical effects of stress on your Vata body can help you acknowledge and manage your own stress. Taking gentle mindfulness approaches, focusing on the present moment, and soothing techniques can go a long way in helping your Vata body stay relaxed and balanced.

Vata Mind

You have an energetic, creative mind which is great for coming up with inventive ideas! You enjoy variety and change, and thrive in a world of ever-evolving possibilities. You quickly move from one task to another and have a lot of enthusiasm for learning new things. You approach life with idealism and optimism, and can be a real inspiration to those around you.

Vata Mind When Stressed Out

When you're a Vata and life's pressures become too much, it can be so difficult to stay balanced. When stress starts to get the better of you, it's important to remember that it's ok to give yourself a break.

When stress takes over, you may find that you're easily overwhelmed and feeling ungrounded, scattered, and/or anxious. Your mind may start to race with all your worries, and you may find yourself overwhelmed with thoughts. It's important to take a deep breath, give yourself permission to pause, and relax into being in the present moment.

It's also important for you to remember that your feelings of stress are valid and worth honoring. Taking time to separate yourself from the situation, and practice self-compassion is so important. You may feel like it's not possible in the moment, but it will help you to come out the other side of the situation feeling more relaxed and empowered.

Creating a soothing environment for yourself can go a long way to supporting your well-being. Examples of this could be lighting some candles or incense, diffusing some essential oils, playing some calming music, taking a relaxing bath, or even wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket and savoring a warm cup of tea. Any of these activities that make you feel soothed and supported can be very helpful.

It's important to remember that stress is something that we all experience, and that you're not alone. At the end of the day, it's ok to give yourself permission to just be and practice some self-care. You don't need to be perfect, and taking care of yourself doesn't always mean drastic changes - it can be something small. So take some time for yourself, and know that you can always come out the other side feeling relaxed and recharged.

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Balance Excess Vata

According to your report, you have excess Vata.
Here are recommendations on how to restore balance.

Diet + Lifestyle

Enjoy naturally sweet, warm and nourishing foods like steamed vegetables and cooked grains.
Incorporate warm herbal teas, like chamomile, cinnamon or ginger, into your daily routine.
Get some exercise every day, like walking or gentle yoga, to help balance your Vata Dosha.
Spend some time outdoors in nature for a daily dose of grounding and calming energy.
Incorporate some calming self-care rituals like oil massage and Abhyanga into your routine.
Meditate or practice mindfulness to stay connected and keep stress levels low.
Get enough sleep and rest to allow your mind, body and spirit to relax and recharge.

Elimination Diet For Vata

Vata-type elimination diet involves eating, drinking, or eliminating certain foods or activities from your routine. It may be beneficial for those with a Vata-predominant constitution, as it helps to balance Vata-related digestive issues and disrupt the cycle of aggravation of Vata in the body. Potential issues of an elimination diet could include becoming too cold, dehydrated, or undernourished which can add to the Vata imbalance.

Pranayama

Surya Bhedana Pranayama (Right Nostril Breathing): This pranayama increases energy and circulation and helps to counter the effects of Vata.
Viloma Pranayama (Interrupted Breathing): This type of pranayama is excellent for calming the body and mind.
Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath): This pranayama helps to reduce stress and can counter the effects of Vata.
Nadi Sodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing): This pranayama can reduce anxiety and balance the mind and body.
Kapalabhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath): This pranayama helps to increase focus and clarity of the mind.
Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath): This pranayama helps to improve circulation and warm the body, which can reduce Vata.
Anuloma Viloma Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing): This pranayama is excellent for calming the body and promoting harmony between body and mind.

Guidelines

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 every day. Olive oil cannot be heated to high temperatures without destroying its healing value, so drizzle olive oil over fresh soft flatbreads, cooked grains, or warm vegetable dishes. Ghee can be heated to high temperatures without affecting its nourishing, and healing qualities, so use ghee to sauté vegetables, spices, or other foods. Avoid too many dry foods such as crackers, dry cold cereal, and the like.
Cooked foods, served hot or warm, are ideal for balancing Vata. Pureed soups, cooked fruit, hot cereal, rice pudding, and hot nourishing beverages such as nut milk or warm milk are excellent "comfort" foods and help pacify aggravated Vata. Avoid or minimize raw foods such as salads and raw sprouts.
The three ayurvedic tastes that help balance Vata are sweet, sour, and salty, so include more of these tastes in your daily diet. Milk, citrus fruits, dried fruit, or salted toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds make good snack choices. Eat less of the bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes.
Nuts are wonderful Vata-pacifiers. Soak ten almonds overnight. Blanch and eat in the early morning for a healthy burst of energy. Walnuts, hazelnuts, and cashews make good Vata- pacifying snacks.
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. Vegetables can be combined with grains or mung beans for satisfying one-dish meals. Avoid nightshades and larger beans.
Basmati rice is ideal for balancing Vata. Cook it with a little salt and ghee for added flavor. Wheat is also good-fresh flatbreads made with whole wheat flour (called atta or chapatti flour and available at Indian grocery stores) and drizzled with a little melted ghee combine well with cooked vegetables or Vata-balancing chutneys.
Most spices are warming and enhance digestion, so cook with a combination of spices that appeals to your taste buds and is appropriate for the dish you are making. Ayurvedic spices such as small quantities of turmeric, cumin, coriander, dried ginger, black pepper, and saffron offer flavor, aroma, and healing wisdom.
Drink lots of warm water throughout the day.
Vata types are the only dosha where meat and fish in the diet can be of great benefit, especially to bring balance to high Vata types. Red meat of all types is beneficial. However, chicken and eggs can be enough to provide grounding support. The issue is that you may carry stress over from a dead animal, so making sure you eat pasture-raised animals that are free from chemicals and hormones is important to keep both mind and body healthy.

Factors That Aggravate Vata

Stresses, even minor
Changes, even positive
Travel, especially by air
Sensory overstimulation
Being overscheduled
Skipping meals
Eating too many raw, cold foods
Insufficient sleep
Poor bedtime routine
Erratic work hours
Changing of the seasons
Cold, dry climate
Failure to express feelings of grief, loss, or fear

Food Choices

Grains: Rice, wheat, quinoa, oats, and amaranth, all cooked until tender. A low-grain diet is recommended for this dosha.

Vegetables: Asparagus, tender greens, carrots, peas, green beans, white daikon, zucchini, lauki squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes, all cooked.

Fruits: Avocado, pineapple, papaya, peaches, plums, grapes, mangoes, oranges, cherries, all kinds of berries, limes, and lemons, apples if stewed, coconut, fresh figs, raisins (soaked)

Lentils: Mung beans, urad dhal, mung dhal, masoor dhal, toor daal, and red lentils, all cooked until butter-soft

Dairy: Whole milk, cream, butter, fresh yogurt (cooked into foods), lassi, cottage cheese, fresh paneer cheese.

Oils: Ghee, olive oil, sesame oil, cold-pressed nut oils such as walnut.

Herbs: Fresh ginger root, cilantro, curry leaves, parsley, fresh basil, fresh fennel, mint

Nuts and Seeds: Almonds (soaked and blanched), cashews, walnuts (soaked), pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans (soaked), pine nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds.

Spices: Ajwain, dried ginger, asafetida (hing) in small quantities, fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, clove, cardamom, coriander, fennel, black pepper, basil, Chinese cinnamon, nutmeg, mustard seed, mint, rosemary, thyme, lemon and orange zest, oregano, rock salt or sea salt, black salt, dried mango powder, pomegranate seeds or powder.

Other: Rice milk, soy milk, poppy seeds, sucanat, turbinado sugar, raw honey, and tofu in moderation (diced small and cooked with spices)

Meat/Fish: Vata is the only dosha type where meat and fish can be beneficial for strong Vata types. It can be grounding and nourishing for strongly dominant Vata types. However, you must stick to pasture-raised organic meat. It is also advisable to eat nose-to-tail (including organ meats) for a healthier choice of meat. Bone broth is also a great source of grounding nourishment, especially collagen which is useful for thin-framed Vata types you are more prone to bone and joint issues.

Balance Excess Pitta

According to your report, you have excess Pitta.
Here are recommendations on how to restore balance.

Diet + Lifestyle

Spend some time in nature: Take a gentle walk in nature or sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and opt for warming and nourishing liquids like herbal tea.
Avoid overheating: Stay away from aggravating spicy and sour foods, alcohol, and smoking.
Take cooling or calming herbs: Gotu kola, Shatavari, hibiscus, licorice root tea, and chamomile can help to support a balanced pitta.
Practice mindful activities: Take a few moments each day to meditate or jot down your thoughts in a journal.
Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep every night.
Take breaks throughout the day: Schedule some downtime for yourself, and take a few moments to catch your breath.

Elimination Diet For Pitta

Pitta-type elimination diet involves eliminating certain foods or activities that can aggravate Pitta dosha and focusing more on cooling, calming foods and activities that help to support balance. An elimination diet in this way can help to bring down the heat and intensity of Pitta in the body while boosting mental clarity and digestion. Potential issues of elimination diet could come from overly restrictive dieting, or from not enough rest or nourishment, which can disrupt the balance of Pitta.

Pranayama

Anuloma Viloma Pranayama (alternate nostril breathing): This technique helps maintain the balance between the left and right sides of your brain, reducing pitta and creating mental clarity.
Siddhasana (seated pose): This powerful posture helps you stay connected to the Earth and its grounding energy, reducing pitta and promoting relaxation.
Ujjayi Pranayama (victorious breath): This calming practice helps to soothe agitation, creating a relaxing and harmonious environment in your body.
Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breath): This technique helps to bring balance to your nervous system and creates deep relaxation, reducing pitta in your body.
Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath): This practice helps you release stored tension in your body, which is beneficial for reducing pitta.
Kapalbhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath): This invigorating practice helps to clear the nasal passages and energize your body, reducing pitta.
Shitali Pranayama (Cooling Breath): This cooling practice helps to reduce heat and inflammation in the body, which is often associated with an imbalance in pitta.

These pranayama techniques are powerful tools to help keep pitta in check and bring you back into balance. Practicing pranayama regularly can help keep a harmonious inner balance of your mind and body.

Guidelines

If you need to balance Pitta, choose ghee, in moderate quantities, as your cooking medium. Ghee, according to the ancient ayurvedic texts, is cooling for both mind and body. Ghee can be heated to high temperatures without affecting its nourishing, and healing qualities, so use ghee to sauté vegetables, spices, or other foods.
Cooling foods are wonderful for balancing Pitta dosha. Sweet juicy fruits, especially pears, can cool a fiery Pitta quickly. Milk, sweet rice pudding, coconut and coconut juice, and milkshakes made with ripe mangoes and almonds or dates are examples of soothing Pitta-pacifying foods.
The three ayurvedic tastes that help balance Pitta are sweet, bitter, and astringent, so include more of these tastes in your daily diet. Milk, fully ripe sweet fruits, and soaked and blanched almonds make good snack choices. Eat less of the salty, pungent, and sour tastes.
Dry cereal, crackers, granola and cereal bars, and rice cakes balance the liquid nature of Pitta dosha and can be eaten any time hunger pangs strike during the day. Although a low-grain diet is preferable for all dosha types, pitta has the best digestive capacity to handle them.
Carrots, asparagus, bitter leafy greens, fennel, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, green beans, and bitter gourd (in very small quantities) are good vegetable choices. They become more digestible when chopped and cooked with Pitta- pacifying spices. Vegetables can be combined with grains or mung beans for satisfying one-dish meals. Avoid nightshades.
Basmati rice is excellent for balancing Pitta. Wheat is also good--fresh flatbreads made with whole-wheat flour (called atta or chapatti flour and available at Indian grocery stores) combine well with cooked vegetables or Pitta-balancing chutneys. Oats and amaranth are other Pitta-balancing grains.
Choose spices that are not too heating or pungent. Ayurvedic spices such as small quantities of turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, and fennel offer flavor, aroma, and healing wisdom.
Drink sweet lassi with lunch to help enhance digestion and cool, not ice-cold, water to quench thirst.

Factors That Aggravate Pitta

Ongoing or intense stress
Pushing too hard at work
Insufficient exercise
Unrealistically high expectations of self or others
Excessive stimulants
Eating hot, spicy, or greasy foods
Heat and humidity

Food Choices

The following list of suggested foods is by no means all-inclusive but offers starting guidelines if you are new to ayurvedic dietary principles. We will add to this list regularly, so please check back often!

Grains: Rice, wheat, barley, oats, amaranth, sago, all cooked until tender

Vegetables: Asparagus, tender and bitter greens, bitter gourd, carrots, fennel, peas, green beans, zucchini, lauki squash, artichoke, parsnips, okra, celery, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, sweet potatoes, all cooked, small quantities of raw lettuce, carrots or cucumber.

Fruits: Avocado, pineapple, peaches, plums, grapes, mangoes, melons, pears, pomegranates, cherries, all kinds of berries, apples, coconut, dates, fresh and dried figs, raisins (soaked), all ripe and sweet.

Lentils: Mung beans, mung dhal, red or brown lentils, small portions of garbanzos, lima beans, and black beans, all cooked until butter-soft.

Dairy: Whole milk, cream, butter, fresh yogurt (cooked into foods), lassi, cottage cheese, fresh paneer cheese.

Oils: Ghee, olive oil, walnut oil.

Herbs: Cilantro, curry leaves, parsley, fresh basil, fresh fennel, fresh mint.

Nuts and Seeds: Almonds (soaked and blanched), sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds.

Spices: Turmeric, cumin, cardamom, coriander, fennel, small quantities of black pepper, Chinese cinnamon, mint, saffron, dill, sweet orange zest.

Other: Rice milk, soy milk, sucanat, turbinado sugar, date sugar, and tofu in moderation (diced small and cooked with spices)

Balance Excess Kapha

According to your report, you have excess Kapha.
Here are recommendations on how to restore balance.

Diet + Lifestyle

Eat a diet that is light and mostly made up of fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid fried and heavy foods, as they can increase Kapha dosha.
Engage in regular daily physical activities. Doing sports like running, cycling, yoga or aerobics can help to balance Kapha dosha.
Take a brisk walk after meals, as this will help to aid digestion and benefit Kapha dosha.
Spend time in the sunshine to help increase energy levels and reduce Kapha dosha.
Avoid oversleeping and try to maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Implement some Nasya treatment to help clear the nasal passages and reduce Kapha dosha.
Use aromatherapy to reduce Kapha dosha, as fragrances like jasmine and citrus help clear the mind and reduce heaviness.
Spend time with friends and family to help bring a sense of joy and contentment.
Try to laugh more, as this will help reduce any stress and increase positivity.
Listen to music that uplifts the soul and inspires you.

Elimination Diet For Kapha

Kapha-type elimination diet involves reducing the amount of sweet and heavy foods and increasing the amount of light, dry and warm foods. This type of elimination diet may be beneficial for those with a Kapha-dominant constitution, as it helps to regulate Kapha-related congestion or stagnation in the body. Potential issues of elimination diet for a Kapha-person could become from not getting enough rest and support, as Kapha individuals are often energized by rest and nourishment.

Pranayama

Ujjai Pranayama: This pranayama technique helps to reduce Kapha by stimulating the body's natural fire element. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly to energize and invigorate your body.
Bhastrika Pranayama: This breath technique can help to reduce Kapha by stimulating the digestive system. Sit comfortably and take forceful and deep breaths, stressing the exhalation.
Anulom Vilom Pranayama: This technique helps to balance the air element inside the body, which helps to reduce Kapha. Inhale and exhale through alternate nostrils for 15 minutes every morning.
Kapalabhati Pranayama: This breathwork helps to quickly reduce Kapha. This powerful technique can help to remove toxins while energizing your system.
Surya Bheda Pranayama: This technique helps to balance energy levels. Take deep inhalations on the right side of your nostril and exhale through the right.
Sheetali Pranayama: This cooling breath technique can help to reduce excess Kapha. Inhale deeply through your mouth while rolling your tongue into a tube and exhale out of the nostrils.
Bhramari Pranayama: This is a great pranayama to balance Kapha. Take deep and slow breaths while humming like a bee.
Nadi Shodana Pranayama: This technique can help to reduce Kapha by balancing the energy channels of the body. Take deep breaths and switch between your nostrils.
Bhramari Pranayama: This calming breath helps to reduce stress and bring balance to Kapha. Take deep and slow breaths while humming like a bee.

Guidelines

If you need to balance Kapha, choose ghee, in very small quantities, as your cooking medium. Ghee can be heated to high temperatures without affecting its nourishing, healing qualities, so use ghee to sauté vegetables, spices or other foods. Steaming foods and then adding a mixture of spices sautéed in very little ghee is best. In general, avoid too many oily foods.
Light, warming foods help balance Kapha. Clear vegetable soups with beans and diced vegetables, stews made with Kapha-balancing vegetables, bean casseroles, dhal soups and light grain/vegetable combinations are ideal for balancing Kapha, especially when combined with Kapha-balancing spices. Stay away from too much salt and instead infuse dishes with fresh herbs and spices for flavor.
The three ayurvedic tastes that help balance Kapha are pungent, bitter and astringent, so include more of these tastes in your daily diet. Apples, and garbanzo beans cooked with Kapha- balancing spices or steamed broccoli or cauliflower with a light olive oil and spice mixture make healthy Kapha-pacifying snacks. Eat less of the salty, sweet and sour tastes.
Dry cereal, salt-free crackers and rice cakes balance the liquid nature of Kapha dosha and make good snacks. However, eat snacks in moderation if you are trying to balance Kapha, and avoid sugary snacks. Honey in small quantities is the recommended sweetener.
Carrots, asparagus, okra, bitter leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, daikon radish and bitter gourd are good vegetable choices. They become more digestible when chopped and cooked with Kapha-pacifying spices.
Vegetables can be combined with lighter grains or mung beans for satisfying one-dish meals. Avoid nightshades. Fresh green chili peppers and fresh ginger root add flavor while balancing Kapha.
Choose lighter whole grains, and eat grains in moderation. Barley, buckwheat, millet and couscous are good choices. If you choose heavier grains, such as rice or wheat, eat very small quantities.
Zesty warming spices are wonderful for balancing Kapha. Ayurvedic spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne, black pepper, dried ginger, asafetida (hing), cloves and fenugreek offer flavor, aroma and healing wisdom.
Drink lassi infused with digestion-enhancing spices and herbs with lunch and lots of warm water throughout the day to help flush toxins from the body.

Factors That Aggravate Kapha

Prolonged stress
Dull job
Lifeless marriage
Lack of movement
Excess sleep
Overeating
Too much sweet, salty, or fatty foods
Taking sedatives, like alcohol or sleeping pills
Relationships with excessive dependency and clinging
Too little contact with others
Cold and damp weather
Lack of sunshine

Food Choices

Grains: Buckwheat, quinoa, barley, millet, oats, amaranth, sago, small portions of Basmati rice, all cooked until tender

Vegetables: Asparagus, all kinds of greens, bitter gourd, green beans, lauki squash, artichoke, celery, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, kohlrabi, daikon, radish, cabbage, all Cooked

Fruits: Apricots, prunes, peaches, pears, cherries, berries, apples, lemons, limes, pomegranates, dried figs, raisins

Lentils: Mung beans, mung dhal, toor dhal, red or brown lentils, small portions of garbanzos, lima beans, and black beans, all cooked until butter-soft

Dairy: Whole milk diluted with water, lassi, small portions of cottage cheese or fresh paneer cheese.

Oils: Small portions of ghee and olive oil

Herbs: Cilantro, curry leaves, parsley, fresh basil, fresh mint, fresh oregano, fresh thyme, sage, neem leaves

Nuts and Seeds: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds

Spices: Turmeric, cumin, cardamom, coriander, fennel, dried ginger, Chinese cinnamon, black pepper, Chinese cinnamon, mint, saffron, dill, lime zest, nutmeg, cayenne, fenugreek, mustard seed, oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, paprika, mace, cloves

Other: Raw honey in moderation, unsalted unbuttered popcorn, crackers in moderation, cooked tofu in small quantities (diced small and cooked with spices)

Toxicity

Your Toxicity Symptoms:

Your Toxicity Level:

Looks like you've got toxicity going on, but the good news is that we've got some recommendations to help you restore balance. We suggest following some guidelines and a tailored fast and cleanse for your element type. And the best part? Our SOMA Breath transformational coaches are experts at delivering this program just for you. So, let's get started on feeling healthier and happier!

Vibe Score

Your Vibe Score is

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Your Current State of Mind

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Balance Excess Vata

Here are some recommendations on how you can restore balance for Vata.

Diet + Lifestyle

Enjoy naturally sweet, warm and nourishing foods like steamed vegetables and cooked grains.

Incorporate warm herbal teas, like chamomile, cinnamon or ginger, into your daily routine.

Get some exercise every day, like walking or gentle yoga, to help balance your Vata dosha.

Spend some time outdoors in nature for a daily dose of grounding and calming energy.

Incorporate some calming self-care rituals like oil massage and Abhyanga into your routine.

Meditate or practice mindfulness to stay connected and keep stress levels low.

Get enough sleep and rest to allow your mind, body and spirit to relax and recharge.

Fasting To Balance Vata

Vata-type fasting involves eating, drinking, or eliminating certain foods or activities from your routine. It may be beneficial for those with a Vata-predominant constitution, as it helps to balance Vata-related digestive issues and disrupt the cycle of aggravation of Vata in the body. Potential issues of fasting could include becoming too cold, dehydrated, or undernourished which can add to the Vata imbalance.

Pranayama

Surya Bhedana Pranayama (Right Nostril Breathing): This pranayama increases energy and circulation and helps to counter the effects of Vata.
Viloma Pranayama (Interrupted Breathing): This type of pranayama is excellent for calming the body and mind.
Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath): This pranayama helps to reduce stress and can counter the effects of Vata.
Nadi Sodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing): This pranayama can reduce anxiety and balance the mind and body.
Kapalabhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath): This pranayama helps to increase focus and clarity of the mind.
Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath): This pranayama helps to improve circulation and warm the body, which can reduce Vata.
Anuloma Viloma Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing): This pranayama is excellent for calming the body and promoting harmony between body and mind.

Guidelines

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 every day. Olive oil cannot be heated to high temperatures without destroying its healing value, so drizzle olive oil over fresh soft flatbreads, cooked grains, or warm vegetable dishes. Ghee can be heated to high temperatures without affecting its nourishing, and healing qualities, so use ghee to sauté vegetables, spices, or other foods. Avoid too many dry foods such as crackers, dry cold cereal, and the like.

Cooked foods, served hot or warm, are ideal for balancing Vata. Pureed soups, cooked fruit, hot cereal, rice pudding, and hot nourishing beverages such as nut milk or warm milk are excellent "comfort" foods and help pacify aggravated Vata. Avoid or minimize raw foods such as salads and raw sprouts.

The three ayurvedic tastes that help balance Vata are sweet, sour, and salty, so include more of these tastes in your daily diet. Milk, citrus fruits, dried fruit, or salted toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds make good snack choices. Eat less of the bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes.

Nuts are wonderful Vata-pacifiers. Soak ten almonds overnight. Blanch and eat in the early morning for a healthy burst of energy. Walnuts, hazelnuts, and cashews make good Vata- pacifying snacks.

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. Vegetables can be combined with grains or mung beans for satisfying one-dish meals. Avoid nightshades and larger beans.

Basmati rice is ideal for balancing Vata. Cook it with a little salt and ghee for added flavor. Wheat is also good-fresh flatbreads made with whole wheat flour (called atta or chapatti flour and available at Indian grocery stores) and drizzled with a little melted ghee combine well with cooked vegetables or Vata-balancing chutneys.

Most spices are warming and enhance digestion, so cook with a combination of spices that appeals to your taste buds and is appropriate for the dish you are making. Ayurvedic spices such as small quantities of turmeric, cumin, coriander, dried ginger, black pepper, and saffron offer flavor, aroma, and healing wisdom.

Drink lots of warm water throughout the day.

Vata types are the only dosha where meat and fish in the diet can be of great benefit, especially to bring balance to high Vata types. Red meat of all types is beneficial. However, chicken and eggs can be enough to provide grounding support. The issue is that you may carry stress over from a dead animal, so making sure you eat pasture-raised animals that are free from chemicals and hormones is important to keep both mind and body healthy.

Factors That Aggravate Vata

Stresses, even minor
Changes, even positive
Travel, especially by air
Sensory overstimulation
Being overscheduled
Skipping meals
Eating too many raw, cold foods
Insufficient sleep
Poor bedtime routine
Erratic work hours
Changing of the seasons
Cold, dry climate
Failure to express feelings of grief, loss, or fear

Food Choices

The following list of suggested foods is by no means all-inclusive but offers starting guidelines if you are new to Ayurvedic dietary principles. We will add to this list regularly, so please check back often!