5 Ways to Balance Vata in Autumn | Yoga International

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5 Ways to Balance Vata in Autumn
Coax your body and mind into balance with 5 ayurvedic oil treatments.
BY Vasant Lad ON May 17, 2013
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5 Ways to Balance Vata in Autumn | Yoga International
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/5-ways-to-balance-vata-in-autumn[19/08/2014 6:01:07 PM]
Autumn is the season of the vata doshathe subtle energy that governs movement. Literally
translated as wind, vata is dry. It comes in bursts. It moves (and changes directions). It is
often cold. Vata rises in autumn, and when it does, it can leave you feeling worn out, brittle,
and susceptible to illness. If youre experiencing some of the following symptoms, you have
excess vata:
dry skin
achy joints
restless, fitful sleep
irregular bowels
constipation
gas
5 Ways to Balance Vata in Autumn | Yoga International
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/5-ways-to-balance-vata-in-autumn[19/08/2014 6:01:07 PM]
lower backaches
erratic thinking
erratic routines
earaches
anxiety
insecurity
loneliness
Ayurvedic oil treatments are the perfect panacea. The sheer weight of oil applied to the skin
slows down vatas flighty, hypermobile nature. Oil lubricates the skin, tissues, and joints and
puts you back on solid ground. Try this nourishing oil regime and see for yourself.
1. Full-Body Oil Massage
Dry, chilling weather enters the body through the pores, the ears, the nostrils, the lips, the
belly button, the genitals, and the anus. By lubricating these openings, you shield yourself
from the cold. Before you go to bed, rub a few ounces of warm (not hot) sesame oil all over
your body with special attention to the ears, nostrils, and other openings.
If youre having trouble sleeping, rub some oil on the soles of the
feet and into the scalp.
If youre having trouble sleeping, rub some oil on the soles of the feet and into the scalp.
Then take a warm bubble bath and scrub your body with soap. Your muscles will melt, and
youll sleep like a baby.
5 Ways to Balance Vata in Autumn | Yoga International
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/5-ways-to-balance-vata-in-autumn[19/08/2014 6:01:07 PM]
2. Mouth and Gums
Every night before going to bed, take a mouthful of sesame oil, swish it around, hold for 12
minutes, and expel it. Then apply some oil to your index finger and gently massage your
gums. This is called kavala. Its good for an impacted wisdom tooth, receding gums, and
sensitive teeth, and for preventing cavities and earaches.
3. Garlic Oil for the Ears
Charaka, the father of ayurveda, recommends putting a few drops of freshly made garlic oil
into each ear at bedtime once every two weeks.
Boil 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and 1/2 clove of freshly chopped garlic until the garlic turns
brown. Then press the oil from the garlic and strain it. Cool the oil to body temperature. Lie
on your left side and put 510 drops of oil into your right ear. Rest for a few minutes. Then
roll over to your right side, protecting your pillow with a gauze pad, and put 510 drops in
your left ear. Relax and enjoy a sound sleep.
Garlic oil has a wonderful aroma that calms the mind and makes you mellow. This procedure
is good for TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), tinnitus, earwax, and hearing loss.
Never put oil in the ear when there are signs of infection or discharge.
4. Castor Oil for the Eyes
If you have dry eyes, this remedy is for you. While lying on your back, face up, put one drop
of castor oil in each eye at bedtime. In the morning your eyes will be moist, beautiful, and
clear.
5. Nasya for the Nose
It may seem odd to put oil up your nose, but this practice (nasya) will pacify the vata dosha,
improve vision, and reduce snoring. Its also good for sinus congestion, dry eyes, neck
stiffness, headaches, migraines, even spondylarthritis.
5 Ways to Balance Vata in Autumn | Yoga International
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You can do nasya up to twice daily (on an empty stomach and at least one hour before or
after showering). Heres how: Lie on your back, face up, with a pillow under your shoulders
and your head tilted back so your nostrils are facing the ceiling. Put 35 drops of medicated
nasal oil or warm ghee (clarified butter) in each nostril. Rest with your head in this position
for one minute.
6. Basti for the Colon
To avoid constipation in the fall, inject approximately one cup of lukewarm sesame oil into
the rectum and try to retain it as long as you can. (Try for at least 10 minutes and work your
way up to overnight.) Then go to the bathroom to empty the bowels. (During and after this
procedure, you may wish to wear a pad of some kind, as there is likely to be some seepage.)
This ayurvedic oil enema is called anuvasana basti. It lubricates the colon, relieves
constipation, heals hemorrhoids, and relieves lower backaches. For women, its also good
for fissures and fistula, dysmenorrhea, painful menstruation, and PMS. (Avoid enemas if you
have a prolapsed rectum or if you have a thick, white coating on your tongue. Women who
are menstruating, pregnant, or have been diagnosed with prolapsed vagina should also avoid
this treatment.)
Dan ZenFlickr #vata, #fall
ABOUT Vasant Lad Vasant Lad, BAMS, MASc, is a world-renowned ayurvedic
physician from India. He is the founder of the Ayurvedic Institute in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the author of numerous books. For more
information, visit www.ayurveda.com.
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5 Ways to Balance Vata in Autumn | Yoga International
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