Calming the Vata Mind...

Lately I have been thinking about the ayurvedic principles more and more and while I was quite sure that my predominant constitution was vata, I also suspected the same for my little boy. His skin is fair and very dry and while he has gained weight well, he was very skinny to start off with. From the beginning we noted that he was easily distractable (especially while drinking), he was very attentive and his mind worked quickly. Now I just learned that vata types also have trouble concentrating on one thing - something I have been struggling with for quite some time and that I also observe with him. I always knew restlessless and nervousness were related to vata but also reluctance to go out in windy, chilly weather and light, interrupted sleep patterns play into it. Quite interesting how these attributes seem to be inherited - I also discovered my mum in some of these traits. Does that mean, I might inherit her reluctance to travel?
I certainly don't hope so. Apparently travels increase vata though... Maybe that's why I have not missed traveling as much as I thought I would for the past 8/9 months. Yet, I also see a lot of vata in my Dad - would be interesting to have them take a dosha test as well. Oh yeah, like that's going to happen ;-)

Anyway, what ultimately triggered me looking into this again was the fact that our little sunshine has trouble sleeping and I read on several occasions that a more rigid routine might help give him stability and rest more. Now, this is something that does not come natural to me at all - I tend to dislike planning and would rather just play things by ear all the time. Especially now that I am at home and we are as flexible as it gets (at least during the day). But likely I need to go back to the fundamental ayurvedic principle and apply the opposite - so rather than going out, rushing around, meeting people, I should try to set up a more predictable daily routine, go out at set times, schedule lunch and dinner at set times and hopefully that way help him and me rest more... Pleasurable things such as meditative music, flowers and scents are also recommended to calm the vata mind.

Subconsciously I have already started on some of these - for instance during my pregancy I loved listening to some of the sacred kundalini chants. Might go back to some of them - let's see if my little angel still remembers them... While breastfeeding I also noticed that I am in much better shape and balance when I have at least one hot meal a day, something I never used to miss before. Apparently, vata people should have less dry and cold foods - so soups and stews are a good alternative - oh well, back to the kitchen then ;-) A friend send me this really interesting holistic cooking book "Ayurveda for Westerners" which includes really good pieces of advice not just on nutrition but generally on how to live your life. I find it so interesting that most of it does not feel new though - it is as if deep down inside you felt it before but you never let your feelings surface. So maybe the kundalini numerology was right and I simply need to let myself listen to my intuition more. Check out their free numerology with your birthdate - it's fascinating.

With all these thoughts of self improvement you sometimes wonder - do we really need all this? Is all this maybe putting more stress on us than we need - and vatas tend to accumulate stress anyway. My answer is, as long as you don't stress yourself out with it, all of these things are just food for thought and that has never been bad for anyone. Sat nam. Enjoy your day!