VATA, PRANA & LIFE
with Maria E. GarrĂŠ www.mariagarre.com
Who is Vata? Va | Vahi: vehicle; that which moves, acts as a vehicle bridge between body, mind and consciousness
Vayu | Va: vehicle + Ya: circulation the energy of circulation governs all movement in the macrocosm as well as microcosm
The significance of Vata Dosha in the Universe sa visvakarma visvatma visvarupah prajapatih srasta dhata vibhur visnuh samharta mrtyur antakh tad adustau prayatnena yati tavyamatah sada
Vata is the creator of all things, the soul of all things, taking all forms, chief of all living beings, creator, sustainer, controller of life, omniscient, destroyer, lord of death. Therefore, enlightened being say one should always make all effort not to disturb Vata.
Overview of Vata Dosha elements: space + air gunas: mobile, cold, light, clear, dry, rough, subtle time of day: 2-6 am/pm season: Fall
Organs +Main Sites
Functions of Vata physical movement maintenance of life communication mind and sensory perception movement of thoughts + awareness circulation respiration
Subtypes of Vata Subtype
Governing Element
Primary Site
Prana
Ether
Head, Brain
Functions
Direction
Purana: to fill space Downward, Inward
Air
Diaphragm, Throat
Udvahana: moves upward
Samana
Fire
Small Intestine, Navel
Viveka: isolation, separation, splitting
Linear
Apana
Earth
Colon, Pelvic Activity
Dharana: holding
Downward, Outward
Heart, Whole Body
Praspandanam: pulsation, throbbing
Circular, Circulation
Udana
Vyana
Water
Upward
Prana Vata - relates to the inhalation - present in the head and moves downward + in - moves along the throat, heart, trachea, lungs + diaphragm - movement of mind, thoughts, feelings, emotions, sensation, and perception -
nourishes and refreshes the brain + senses while supporting the
-
nervous system helps retain mental experiences
-
helps bring universal energy from above and draw it directly into the organs, tissues and cells
-
imbalanced prana includes anxiety, nervousness, fear, anger, and inability to focus the mind
Udana Vata - relates to the exhalation - upward wind, rising energy, residing in the throat - moves through the diaphragm, lungs, bronchi and trachea - stimulates memory - helps an individual rise from confusion, attachment, and depression. -
gives the will to rise up - stand up. associated with sound, speech and self-expression, communication
-
treats illnesses of the throat, improves vitality and the power of
-
creative expression -
imbalances creates difficulty with speech, lack of memory, lack of creativity, and no sense of goal or direction
Samana Vata -
the balancing air
relates to the digestive center seated in the navel - contracting and extracting energy, horizontal movement -
- governs digestion, absorption and assimilation -
responsible for regulating metabolism creates hunger
-
helps regulate appetite and enhances absorption
-
imbalanced samana includes loss of appetite, indigestion, bloating,
-
lack of absorption and assimilation, and poor digestion
Apana Vata - relates to the downward + outward movement from the pelvis - present in the cecum, colon, rectum and urinary tract -
facili
-
takes the release of toxins on a physical, emotional and psychological level
- responsible for connecting us to the earth and grounding us -
treats diseases associated with reproduction, menstruation and elimination
-
imbalanced apana include constipation, diarrhea, pain during
-
menstruation + ovulation and lower backache strengthening apana improves immunity, develops stability and a sense of well-being
Vyana Vata - relates to circulation, heart and lungs - outward expanding energy -
governs all reflexes, coordinating movement lives in the joints and limbs
- responsible for the movement of joints and skeletal muscles - from the heart vyana expands infinitely into the universe - treats illnesses associated with the heart and lungs -strengthens the musculoskeletal system and provides vitality for strenuous work imbalanced vyana will affect circulation and dispersement of oxygen and nutrients
Causes of Vata Aggravation tiktosana kasayalpa ruksa pramita bhojanaih dharano dirana jagaratyucca bhasanaih kriyati yoga bhi soka cintavayayama mathunaih grismaho ratri bhuktante prakupyati samiranah
Vata gets aggravated from consuming foods that are bitter, pungent, and astringent in taste, dry, and in a limited amount. Also, by suppressing or forcing natural urges, staying awake during night-time, and speaking a lot in a high-pitched or loud voice. Excessive activities, excessive yoga exercises, fear, grief, worries or thinking and sex increases vata. The end of summer(fall season), then of the day, (dusk), the end of the night (dawn) and the end of digestion, all aggravate vata dosa.
Signs + Symptoms of Aggravated Vata karsya karsnyosna kamatva kamapanaha sakrd grahan, bala nidrendriya bhrmasa pralapa bhrama dinatah . Va. Su 11
Increased vata produces emaciation, black discoloration, desire for hot things, tremors, distention of abdomen, constipation, loss of strength, sleep and sensory dysfunctions, excessive and irrelevant speech, giddiness and faint-heartedness.
Normal Functions of Vata Dosha utsahocchvasa nisvasa cesta vega pravartanaih samyag gatya ca dhatunam aksanam patavena ca (Va.Su 11)
Vata in its normal state protects the body, bestowing enthusiasm; exhalation and inhalation; all activities; initiation (execution) of urges; maintenance of dhatus, and proper functioning of the senses.
Ayurvedic Sanskrit Manual : Ayurvedic Institute (c)
Staying Balanced keeping Prana + Vata Happy Daily Routine, anchoring rituals Oiling Proper dietary choices (follow gunas + elements) Attentive, mindful living Maintain sensory balance
Which Sub-Dosha? constipation indigestion elevated blood pressure asthma cardiac pain anxiety excess sweating loss of appetite hemorrhoids
SUB DOSHA PRACTICES •
Nasya for Prana Vayu
•
Meditation for Prana Vayu
•
Mantra for Udana Vayu
•
Proper food combining for Samana Vayu
Kavala for Udana Vayu
•
Basti for Apana Vayu
•
Hrd Basti for Vyana Vayu
•
•
Black Pepper for Vyana Vayu
Warm water first thing in the morning Apana Vayu
•
Nabhi Basti for Samana Vayu
•