Jody Vassallo - The Yogic Kitchen

Be ground. Be crumbled so wildflowers will come up where you are. You’ve been stony for too many years. Try something different. Surrender.

–Rumi

Balancing the doshas

Balancing your dosha is pretty straightforward and if I could give you one bit of advice, then that would be to ‘keep it simple’. It takes a little while to get to know the qualities of your dosha but once you have familiarised yourself with the main characteristics of your dosha you will find it becomes second nature to remove things from your environment that are aggravating you.

Knowing the elements that govern your dosha is essential. Vata is ruled by air and space, Pitta by fire and water and Kapha by earth and water. Overexposure to the elements that govern your dosha will send you out of balance.

The principles behind balancing the doshas are guided by the Ayurvedic approach to health (see pages 42–6) and circadian rhythms (see pages 47–63).

The recipes I have written for this book are all designed to balance your doshas and have been carefully designed to maintain that balance, particularly in the season that your dosha will be more vulnerable. For Vata types I have created warming nourishing meals with ingredients that help to calm and soothe the anxious energy in the body and to stimulate the digestive system. Pitta recipes are more cooling and wholesome, designed to satisfy the strong Pitta appetite and moderate heat in the body, particularly in the warmer months and climates. The Kapha recipes I have created are naturally a little lighter and purposed with spices and ingredients to absorb the excess moisture and weight that Kapha types hold in the body.

To help you to shop and make your food choices, refer to the food charts for Vata, Pitta and Kapha at the back of the book on pages 240–5. I still use these tables a lot even after all these years, especially if I’m Vata imbalanced, as the foods differ quite a bit to the Pitta foods I normally favour.

VATA

To summarise what we have discussed earlier, Vata individuals tend to have thin, light frames; they are quick thinkers and can be quite nervy and excitable.

The Vata dosha is responsible for communication, movement and elimination of all wastes from the body. Someone may be either Vata in their constitution or they may have a Vata imbalance. Vata imbalances are very common for people who reside in cities and have busy lives.

Air and space dominate this dosha and they also aggravate it. They are susceptible to the cold and wind so it is essential they keep warm, maintain a routine and nourish themselves with warm cooked foods; it is logical that elements that decrease and calm this dosha are earth, fire and water.

They are aggravated by bitter, pungent and astringent tastes, and calmed by sweet, sour and salty.

Elements

Elements that dominate this dosha – Air and Space

Elements that aggravate this dosha – Air and Space

Elements that calm this dosha – Earth, Fire and Water

Tastes that aggravate the dosha – bitter, pungent and astringent

Tastes that calm and balance the dosha – sweet, sour and salty

Time of day

Each dosha has a time of day when it is more obvious in the body and mind. For Vatas it is 2am–6am and 2pm–6pm. Vata types may find themselves becoming more anxious or fearful at this time of day, they may also wake at night and not be able to fall back asleep, especially if they are worried about something.

Time of year

In autumn and early winter Vata can be more aggravated in the body. The wind at this time of year can aggravate Vata types and it is important that they stay warm and out of the wind if it bothers them. When it gets windy and cold, the time has come to slow down and eat grounding, nourishing meals. Flavours that calm in autumn are the sweet, salty and sour.

Vata types struggle at this time of year as they are naturally cold and sensitive to air and movement. The autumn wind can play havoc with their digestive system as well as their minds, leading to episodes of anxiety.

Time of life

70 to 75 years and above is the time that Vata will be more prominent in the body.

Vata is responsible forfeelings of joy and happiness, as well as creativity, speech, sneezing, movement and elimination.

I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.

–Mahatma Gandhi

VATA OUT OF BALANCE

The site of Vata in the bodyis the nervous system, and it governs the mind, colon, skin, ears, blood flow and breath – and it is where Vata will present more strongly when it is out of balance.

Signs that Vata is out of balance

When Vata people’s health goes out of balance, the symptoms usually appear first in the gut or the mind. They might complain of an upset tummy, gas, bloating, small pebbly stools that are dry, hard, dark brown and sink. They can easily become constipated or irregular, especially when travelling or away from home. They may strain when passing stools and can find it painful.

Anxiety, weight loss, restlessness, fatigue, insomnia, interrupted sleep or fearful dreams, hypertension, inability to concentrate, tremors or a nervous system disorder are all indications that Vata is out of balance. Other indicators are dry cracked skin and lips, arthritis and joint pain.

Vata types are more likely to go out of balance in autumn and early winter.

Autumn–early winter/Vata health issues:constipation, gas, bloating, anxiety, dry skin.

Habits and lifestyle factors that imbalance Vata

Eating too many cold icy foods and drinks, especially anything with bubbles, such as sparkling mineral water, carbonated drinks and foods that produce gas in the body; excess raw foods such as salads, especially in the colder months; irregular meals or skipping meals; too much travel; being outside in the cold and the wind; lack of sleep and routine; spending too much time in front of the computer and TV; stress, overthinking and over talking all imbalance the Vata dosha.

Environmental effects

Wind will unnerve them and you may notice their behaviour and mood change if exposed to too much of the air element, as they already have this as a major part of their constitution. Unsettled weather can have a strong effect on Vata types. Autumn can be difficult, accordingly.

Air travel can greatly disturb these types and they need to ensure they limit flying if they are feeling insecure, fearful and anxious. Their Vata body needs nurturing. Vatas have cold, dry skin that is very susceptible to the cold and wind. Daily warm sesame oil massage will benefit them greatly. It is essential they keep their bodies warm, both internally and externally. Fear and anxiety can really inhibit the lives of Vata types so it is essential they create a comfortable, safe, stable home for themselves.

KEYWarmth, safe calm environment and routine

AVOIDCold, dry, windy environments, skipping meals, raw food, chilled drinks, carbonated drinks, excess movement and air travel