HOW DOES THE MONSOON AFFECT EACH DOSHA – VATA, PITTA OR KAPHA?

Basti is one of the 5 ayurvedic panchakarma treatments, carried out by an Ayurvedic expert. The procedure involves medicated oils and decoctions given as an enema. It cleans the colon and cleanses the accumulated body toxins, thus settling vata. Sesame oil, bala oil, sahachar oil, dashmula oil and decoction is commonly administered based on your health issues, age and prakruti, and as advised by the Ayurvedic practitioner.

Vata dosha is formed through the composition of the elements of air & space. The cold environment can aggravate vata symptoms, which is why you should keep your body warm to stay protected.

Contact with water can trigger vata symptoms. Avoid going out in the rain or wear protective clothing to prevent your head and body from getting wet. As a safety precaution, always carry an umbrella while stepping out during monsoons. 

After your morning bath, dry your hair thoroughly. A dry hair and scalp prevent a cold, cough, headache, heaviness or blocked nose. In case you get drenched in the rains, change out of wet clothes and dry your hair immediately.

Monsoon brings with it fungal skin infections. Fumigate your wardrobe with ayurvedic herbs like vacha, kushtha, vidanga or vavading to prevent fungal growth.

Your monsoon diet should be laghu (light), ushna (hot) and snigdh (unctuous) to counter respiratory infections in the cold and humid rainy days. Light food will never burden a weak digestive fire. Hot and unctuous food pacifies vata, enhances agni, provides strength and relieves pain.

Ayurveda has described ghee as Yogavahi – a catalytic agent that carries healing properties. Pure ghee in your daily food enhances agni (digestive fire), ensures a healthy digestive system, heals the stomach lining and pacifies vata. 

Use vata-pacifying body massage oils like nirgudi, shatavari, dashamula or sesame. These oils create a warming effect and thus ground vata. A daily full body self-massage can provide great results.  

Add jowar, bajara, green moong, drum sticks, old wheat and old rice to your diet, all of which are known to have light, hot and unctuous properties.

Limit the intake of fried food to settle the ruksha (dry) guna of vata.

This asana derives its name from Vajra – thunderbolt and asana – posture. Vajrasana increases the blood flow to your pelvic area and stomach, thus improving digestion, bowel movement and liver functions. It helps strengthen the lower back, legs and thighs.

In Sanskrit, pavanamuktasana literally translates to gas relief pose. Pavan means wind or gas, and mukta means liberation. This vata-pacifying asana strengthens the abdominal muscles, massages the digestive organs, releases trapped gas, and helps cure indigestion and acidity.

Vakrasana or twisted pose massages the abdominal organs, facilitates digestion and stimulates the secretion of digestive juices. This asana strengthens the spine and reduces vertebrae stiffness.

This asana derives its name from Ardha – half, Matsya – fish and Indra – lord. The compressing and twisting of the abdominal organs helps regulate the secretion of digestive juices, improves digestion and cures constipation. This asana increases the elasticity of the spine and relieves back aches and stiffness.

Use pitta-balancing body massage oils like narayan, bala, dashamula or olive. Pitta has a tendency of accumulation. These oils free such accumulations, promote healthy circulation and flush the toxins out of your system.

Add jowar, bajara, green moong, old wheat, old rice, bottle gourd, ridge gourd and pumpkin to your diet, all of which are known to have light, hot and unctuous properties.

Limit the intake of fried food to settle the ruksha (dry) guna of vata. If you suffer from pitta or skin issues, try and avoid eating spicy food. Also, people with pitta dosha must avoid eating curd during the rainy season.

This asana derives its name from Nauka – boat and Asana – posture. It strengthens the lung, liver, pancreas and kidneys, and tones the back muscles. Asthmatic or heart patients, and pregnant women should avoid this asana.

This asana derives its name from Bhujanga – cobra and Asana – posture. It enhances blood circulation and respiratory function, strengthens the back & abdomen, and helps reduce acidity, ulcers and indigestion. People with past fractures in wrists or ribs, abdominal surgeries and ones suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome should avoid this asana.

Dhanurasana comes from the Sanskrit word Dhanur, meaning bow. This asana enhances lung capacity, strengthens the heart, stimulates the abdomen and improves the flexibility in the spine. Hypertensive patients and pregnant women should avoid this asana.

The name is derived from uttana – intense stretch, pada – leg/foot, and asana – pose/posture. It improves cardiovascular, digestive and musculoskeletal health. This asana is not recommended for patients with hypertension or cardiovascular diseases, and pregnant women.

Use kapha-balancing body massage oils like sahachar, dashamula or mustard. These oils balance the slow and immobile nature of kapha and create an activating and mobilising effect. A vigorous warm oil massage stimulates circulation, cleanses the system and revitalises the body.

Kapha dosha is known for its heavy nature. Sleeping during the daytime can add to this heaviness and aggravate kapha. This may lead to chest congestion, causing excess cold and cough

Add jowar, bajara, green moong, drum sticks, cluster beans and capsicum to your diet, all of which are known to have light, hot and unctuous properties.

Limit the intake of fried food to settle the ruksha (dry) guna of vata. People with kapha dosha must avoid sweets, curd and other milk products (except ghee) during the monsoon.

Vajrasana or thunderbolt posture increases the blood flow to your pelvic area and stomach, thus improving digestion, bowel movement and liver functions. It helps strengthen the lower back, legs and thighs. Vajrasana also aids in reducing excess fat and weight management, making it beneficial for kapha type individuals.

Pavanamuktasana or wind liberation pose strengthens the abdominal muscles, massages the digestive organs, releases trapped gas, and helps cure indigestion.

The name is derived from go – cow, mukha – face and asana – posture. It opens up your joints and hips, strengthens the thighs and arms, improves flexibility in the spine, and enhances lung capacity and breath control.

The name comes from manduka – frog and asana – pose/posture. It stimulates the functions of the pancreas, relieves constipation, releases gas, helps burn extra fat from the hips, stomach and thighs, and strengthens the back muscles. This asana is not recommended for hypertensive patients, individuals with knee injuries, and pregnant women.