For Air Energy (Vata Dosha) Balancing Diet, click here.
To Learn More About Air Energy (Vata Dosha) Body and Mind, click here.
AIR NATURE: AGILITY AND MOBILITY
Air Energy (Vata Dosha) is characterized by being cold, light, rough, dry, moving, and minute (tiny).
When Air Energy or Humor (Vata Dosha) is more dominant in your nature, you tend to be lighter in everything: the way you think, the way you feel, the way you act, and the way your body feels on the inside.
Doing things that possess these same qualities lead to a further increase and imbalance in air energy levels, which results in more further air nature (Vata dosha) related symptoms and their respective severity.
The goal of a Air Mix-pacifying diet and lifestyle is to reduce your air energy levels by eating and doing things that possess opposite qualities to air energy: including more stillness, warm/hot temperature, heaviness, moist and oily, and smoothness in your daily living.
Stick to your Ayurveda doctor’s recommendations in case of any discrepancies as they address your immediate balance requirements.
EXAMPLES OF LIFESTYLE APPLICATIONS TO BALANCE YOUR AIR ENERGY
COLD AC ENVIRONMENT
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In your bedroom, house, or workplace will increase your air energy and symptoms like memory loss, body pain, and dry skin
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Wear whatever is needed to stay warm while working, sleeping, at home: head covers, socks, layers, and warm clothing
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Increasing AC temperature to 25C or higher in the summer
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Applying warming oils on your skin like sesame or avocado oils
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Taking a warm shower, bath or steam therapy after cold exposures
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Do not get direct exposure to AC flow or fan (direct air!)
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Make sure you cover well when walking outside in cold weather
APPLYING COOLING CREAMS
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Like coconut or aloe vera based products
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Switch to warming products made with sesame, saffron, avocado, sunflower, pumpkin, papaya, and the likes
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This applies to your soap, creams,. moisturizers, and anything else that touches your skin
DAILY ACTIVITY & EXERCISE
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Like cycling or running outdoors surround you with air element, and fast-paced Ashtanga yoga, Zumba or HIIT exercises are full of movement, hence both contribute to an increase in your Vata Levels.
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Favor indoor cycling, running, and activity, especially on colder, windy days
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Wear enough covers and wind breakers to keep you warm
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Favor low impact activity like walking or swimming in warm water
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Favor slow-paced activity like classical hatha yoga or ballet or coordinated movement to connect body and mind and reduce Vata
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Include a session of meditation and breathwork (pranayama) in your daily schedule
GENERAL LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS
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Always remember to relax, and to include time in your day and week to relax
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Establish regularity and routine in everything you do – same time everyday for sleeping, exercise, meals, socials, work…
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Smoking is more air into the body, so stop it immediately at once – you might suffer for the first 4 days but afterwards you have a clean habit to follow
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Do a self oil massage 3 or more times per week: apply warm sesame oil all over you body for 10-15 minutes before warm shower
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Stay warm at all times: in the office, at home, while sleeping – wear hats, socks, scarves, layers and whatever is needed to keep you warm
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Your evenings are needed for relaxation to stimulate better sleep quality, so try to minimize social or engaging activities
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Dim lights and mobile phone on silent atleast 1 hour before sleep to induce melatonin production for better sleep
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Switch to a more conscious and grounding form of workout like slow-paced Hatha or yin yoga, stretching, ballet, artistic dance, especially in the evening
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Add meditation and breathing exercises (pranayama) as part of your everyday living as they will work wonders on your holistic wellbeing
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Moisturize more often with warming oils and preparations – sesame, avocado or papaya-based
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Keep a to-do list and update it at all times to relax your subconscious mind
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Favor steam and warm avocado oil therapies when in spa.. Do not do dry sauna, cold water therapy or ice baths
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Do an act of self love atleast once a week: do something you like alone or with those that you enjoy company
EVENING WIND DOWN RITUAL
- Avoid evening exercise; keep physical activity to the mornings.
- Have a light, warm, cooked dinner (see dietary guidelines).
- Engage in calming activities like reading, playing board games, listening to music, journaling, light dancing, or arts. Keep everything mild and soothing.
- Minimize socializing in the evening.
- Practice calming breathing exercises such as deep abdominal breathing or alternate nostril breathing.
- Reflect on your day with a brief meditation, considering how you processed emotions and experiences.
- Take 1 small spoon or 2 tablets of Ashwagandha (a calming and rejuvenating herb) with a glass of warm water 1 hour before bed.
- Aim to sleep by 10 PM, which is optimal for balancing air energy.
- Sleep in a warm environment (24°+ C), and wear socks or head cover if needed
MORNING BODY ACTIVATION AND BALANCING ROUTINE
- Wake up by 630 AM.
- Use the bathroom and empty your bowels.
- Scrape your tongue and brush your teeth.
- Perform oil pulling with sesame oil.
- Drink 2 cups of water boiled with 1 spoon of cumin seeds before consuming anything else.
- Engage in a gentle 20–30 minute exercise like walking, yoga, or stretching. Avoid heat and intensity in your workouts. Try to consciously coordinate body movements with the flow of your breath.
- Practice calming breathing techniques, such as deep abdominal breathing and alternate nostril breathing.
- Meditate for a few minutes to center yourself.
- Apply warm sesame oil to your body and let it sit for 10–15 minutes before taking a warm shower.
- Review your to-do list for the day.
- Eat a light, warm, cooked breakfast (see dietary guidelines).
- Take 1 small spoon or 2 tablets of Brahmi (a natural brain tonic and memory boosting and calming herb) with a glass of warm water after breakfast.
KEY REMINDERS FOR BALANCING AIR NATURE
- Think before you speak: your tongue has put you in so many troubles already
- Remember to relax: you always tend to push the limits
- Stay warm, moisturized, and hydrated at all times
- Practice grounding and being more conscious in everything you do through mindful exercises
- Doing nothing is actually a cure for you: learn how to sit down and spend time on your own
By adopting these mindful practices, you can maintain balance and prevent excess air from affecting your physical and mental well-being.
For Air Humor (Vata Dosha) Balancing Diet, click here.
Need more help with starting a Air-Energy Balancing Diet and Lifestyle?
Book an online Ayurveda consultation with one of our specialist doctors in India to properly diagnose your mind-body type and natural healing needs and design a plan that works for your specific health circumstances.