Frequent Flyer? How to Keep Your Vata in BalanceBalancing Vata

How to Keep Your Vata in Balance When You Travel ✈️

For the jet-setting among us, the thrill of soaring through the skies can often come with an unintended side effect - a disruption to our delicate Vata dosha. Whether you're a seasoned business traveler or a globetrotting adventurer, the very nature of air travel can wreak havoc on this fundamental life force that governs our movement, flexibility, and communication.

Why Air Travel Disrupts Vata Balance

The changes in pressure, the dehydrating cabin environment, and the overall disruption to our natural rhythms can all contribute to a Vata imbalance. It's not uncommon for frequent flyers to experience:

• Aches and pains in the body
• Constipation during and after travel
• Discomfort or pain in the ears

These Vata-related issues arise due to the increase in the air and space elements within the body, which are already dominant in those with a Vata-dominant constitution and/or those suffering from Vata aggravation. But even for individuals who don't typically have a Vata-predominant body type, a single flight can be enough to trigger these problems temporarily.

Practical Strategies for Balancing Vata While Traveling

Ayurveda offers several practical strategies to help maintain balance and ease the transition through the skies:

1. Ensure Adequate Lubrication 💧

Before and after your flight:

• Moisturize your entire body
• Don't forget the inside of your ears

Choose the right products based on your body type:

• Pitta types: Use preservative-free creams or coconut oil
• Vata and Kapha types: Use warming oils

Important: Use lukewarm oil for ear moisturizing. Do not use ghee for the inside of your ears.

2. Incorporate Vata-Balancing Foods 🍲

• Eat warm foods before and during your flight
• Avoid raw, uncooked foods before and during travel

3. Practice Grounding Activities 🧘

Simple exercises that help counteract Vata aggravation:

• Gentle yoga
• Deep breathing
• Short walks during layovers

4. Address Post-Travel Symptoms

• For constipation: Consider laxative herbs (herbs and dosage vary)
• Listen to your body's signals and adjust your post-travel routine

5. Consider Professional Ayurvedic Treatment

• Recommendation: Undergo a Enema Panchkarma procedure yearly
• This specialized detoxification and rejuvenation treatment can help rebalance the Vata dosha and provide long-term benefits

Why Balancing Vata Matters: Beyond Comfort to Anti-Aging

Balancing Vata becomes essential for frequent fliers not only for their internal wellbeing but also their appearance. Vata is responsible for signs of aging, and frequent fliers might see these signs well before they should actually be visible.

Individual Variations in Vata Response

You might think: "But I know someone who flies all the time, and they don't look a day older!"

The impact of air travel on Vata may not always be immediately visible for everyone due to:

• Body type: Kapha-dominant constitutions may withstand Vata-aggravating effects longer
• Existing self-care practices: Those with diligent oil massage routines, Vata-pacifying diets, and grounding activities may show fewer signs of imbalance
• Modern beauty tools: Makeup and photo editing can mask outward signs of Vata imbalance

The Bottom Line

The key is to remember that balancing Vata becomes essential for frequent fliers, as it can have true anti-aging benefits that go beyond superficial appearances.

By incorporating Ayurvedic wisdom into your travel habits, you can continue to explore the world while keeping your mind and body in a state of optimal well-being. Stay adaptable, stay balanced, and embrace the journey of Vata harmony.

Primary Reference: The School of Ayurveda and Panchkarma - Lectures and Notes