As women journey through their 40s and experience perimenopause, they turn to Ayurveda and its teachings on the vata time of life for support and guidance. According to the age-old practice of Ayurveda, changes in hormones during perimenopause can cause a woman's energy levels to fluctuate wildly. By understanding the predominant dosha associated with this time of life - Vata - one can learn how to remain balanced and harmonious even in the midst of transition.

Vata teaches us that keeping a regular rest-wake cycle, eating light yet nourishing meals, taking time for contemplation and deep relaxation, exercising regularly - without overdoing it - and seeking out supportive companionship helps women navigate this transition in grace and wellness. After all, this too shall pass!

Vata dosha is a pivotal energy in the body that vitally supports our bodily functions and finds its place in the Vata, Pitta, and Kapha tridosha system. Vata is responsible for controlling movements within the mind and body and expresses itself through air and space elements. Vata helps facilitate our breathing, blinking, circulation, digestion, elimination of waste substances, joint movement, and nervous system responses and is the governing dosha and communicates within all tissues in the body. It also affects our thinking processes and life force or prana energy.  

When Vata is balanced, the mind and body experience many health benefits. A balance of this life-force energy directly influences mental clarity, emotional balance, creativity, and physical agility. Additionally, a balanced vata can lead to feelings of spiritual awareness, helping us connect with ourselves and the world around us more deeply. Striving for balance in the vata system can result in feelings of tranquility and peacefulness as we go through our day-to-day lives. Therefore, attempting to balance the vata system both mentally and physically is an essential element to feeling our best in all aspects of life.

When perimenopause occurs and vata can easily go out of balance, it can result in a wide range of physical and mental challenges. The physical consequences may include constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, dry skin, and Joint pains. On the other hand, mental challenges could include stress-induced anxiety and insomnia. Seeking compassionate care from a health professional like an Ayurvedic practitioner can help you to better understand your specific situation as well as empower you to take action towards restoring balance in your perimenopause-era life.

Balance is an essential part of our lives, and this is especially true during the perimenopause stage. The following practices can help to balance Vata: daily meditation and/or pranayama (breathing exercises); eating warm, cooked food; increasing oil intake; minimizing chores/work during the week; and spending time in nature.

By engaging in these behaviors on a regular basis, we can proactively maintain a sense of harmony within ourselves. Moreover, cultivating a deep spiritual connection with ourselves will be a benefit on this journey of transformation as we gain clarity about our needs and harmoniously manifest them into reality. 

In addition to vata, ojas (the fundamental vital force present in all physical and mental functions) is an essential part of the balance in the body during menopause and its lack can have far-reaching effects. The major influence here is a disruption in the delicate balance between our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which are designed to both protect us and enable us to relax and renew. Without ojas available, the body largely adopts a sympathetic overdrive--a stressful state evidenced by heightened cortisol levels, higher blood pressure and heart rate, all stemming from the manifestation of high pitta responding to any possible danger. 

As ojas levels decrease, the risk for disturbances related to this reaction increases. Therefore replenishing ojas is key for maintaining balance during this period of life. Undergoing panchakarma during this stage could be a vital part of keeping your body on track for a graceful transition.

Panchakarma is an incredibly powerful and healing system that has been used for centuries in Ayurveda as a way of cleansing the body and restoring balance, harmony, and ojas. By working to purify the body of impurities and toxins, this holistic practice helps support the flow of ojas, balanced agni, and vata during perimenopause.

This five-step process includes detoxification with herbs and diet, purifying through balanced body techniques such as herbal oil application, herbal steams, and hot herbal poultices, yoga, and elimination procedures. It offers numerous benefits for modern-day women. Many perimenopausal and menopausal women have found this healing therapy to be especially beneficial due to its ability to reduce vata, provide stress relief, and support hormone balance and is fundamental for ameliorating hot flashes due to these imbalances at this stage in life. Panchakarma offers spiritual and emotional health benefits as well, with many rogis noting increased feelings of peace, joy, emotional balance, and connection with the divine after engaging in this powerful form of holistic health care. 

Read more about Panchakarma here.

Pro Tip: Use This Balancing Pranayama Practice Daily

Pranayama, or yogic breathing, is a wonderful practice to help balance Vata energy that often becomes heightened during perimenopause. Pranayama practices work by calming the breath, and creating space in our body and mind so we can open to more clarity and peace. Pranayama is designed to regulate the breath and is a great source of physical and mental health benefits including improved sleep and relaxation. Pranayama helps release stagnant energy in the body which may arise as stress, worry, or other emotions during this time of transition. Learning how to incorporate Pranayama into your daily lifestyle can not only help you stay physically vital but also personally empowered as you move through this powerful time of transformation.

Nadi Shodhana Pranayama

This breathing exercise is like pushing a reset button in your brain, leaving you feeling centered and refreshed. Nadi is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘channel’ or ‘flow’ and shodhana means ‘purification’. Therefore, nadi shodhana is primarily aimed at clearing and purifying the subtle channels of the mind-body, while balancing the right and left sides of the brain. This practice is beneficial for just about anyone. 

BENEFITS 

• Infuses the body with oxygen 

• Clears and releases toxins from bodily channels 

• Reduces stress and anxiety 

• Calms and rejuvenates the nervous system 

• Helps to maintain the balance of hormones 

• Supports clear and balanced respiratory channels 

• Balances the left and right sides of the brain and channels of the body, and brings balance  to the masculine and feminine energies

• Fosters mental clarity and an alert mind 

• Supports the ability to concentrate

Pro Tip: Ojas Building Herbal Drink

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1/4 cup water

• 1/2 teaspoon Shatavari powder 

• 1/2 teaspoon Vindari Kanda powder

• 1/4 teaspoon Bala powder

• 1/4 teaspoon Shuniti powder (ginger)

• 1/8 teaspoon Ela powder (cardamom)

• 1 teaspoon of grass-fed ghee

• 1/2 teaspoon of honey

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, bring the milk and water to a low boil. 

2. Reduce heat to low and add the herbs and ghee and let steep on a low simmer for 5 minutes, stirring every 30-45 seconds.
   

3. Let cool and then stir in honey - can use date instead of honey, by putting the herbal milk and date in a blender once cooled. 

Pro Tip: Reach Out!

If you are struggling with perimenopause, give Ayurveda a try. It has helped many women find balance and peace during this transition. If you would like to explore how Ayurveda can help you, book an appointment with an experienced practitioner today. You deserve to feel your best during this time in your life.

Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of Ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease