Use the power of Vata, Pitta and Kapha

The Ayurvedic path to better health consists of two simple steps:
1. Do less
2. Be more

- Shubra Krishan

When was your last power day when you were bursting with energy? Without hesitation, you tackled new projects, extended your run and even completed your housework in the evening.

Do you remember the last day when you barely got out of bed despite getting enough sleep? Even small tasks felt like a burden. Just the thought of company made you sigh inwardly and you wanted to just hide from everything.

Diet, restful sleep, your personal well-being and your current stress level have a major influence on how you feel and how much strength you have.

But above all these criteria there is one big factor that shapes you: your menstrual cycle.

It influences your body and your being, it shapes your life.

Ayurveda is an Indian science that is over 5,000 years old and deals with the body, mind and soul.

For Western medicine, the female cycle is interesting from a biological perspective alone.

Ayurveda goes one step further. It not only explains how the cycle phases change your body, but also what the phases stand for and how this is reflected in your psyche.

Your basic constitution (more on this later) can, for example, be responsible for the fact that you are more affected by PMS. It may also be that you really thrive in a certain cycle phase because your dosha (basic constitution) is strengthened.

If you know and understand which cycle phase you are in, you can strengthen and support your body. It is also easier to deal with low-energy, nervous and inconsistent days. You can better classify your inner emotional world and even use it to your advantage.

In this article you will find out:

• What Ayurveda is
• How the cycle phases are related to Ayurveda
• How you can use this knowledge for yourself

1 What is Ayurveda?

'Ayu' means life in Sanskrit. 'Veda' stands for knowledge. Ayurveda is therefore the knowledge of life. Indian doctors began writing about how to maintain health in the ancient Vedic scriptures 5,000 years ago.

Ayurveda has a holistic approach. Health is always viewed from physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects.

That's why the pillars on which Ayurvedic medicine is based are just as broad:

• Diet should bring the individual constitutional types into balance.
• The rhythm of life with habits and routines is adapted to the daily, annual and phases of life.
• Consciousness is strengthened through meditation, yoga and breathing exercises.
• Medicinal plants and minerals strengthen the body and support self-healing.
• Cleansing rituals such as detoxification, oil massages and oil pulling are carried out regularly.
• All senses are given a major role. They are stimulated and encouraged with tastes, colors and sounds.

The Ayurvedic worldview is composed of the 3 fundamental forces of nature, which are called doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata contains the elements air and space. Vata is the principle of movement. Breathing, heartbeat or movement in the digestive tract are physical manifestations. People with the basic constitution Vata are open, creative, communicative, flighty and unstable.

Pitta contains fire and water. Pitta is the principle of transformation. The digestion or processing of information and experiences represents Pitta. Characteristic characteristics of Pitta are ambition, curiosity, analysis, aggression and anger.

Kapha contains water and earth. Kapha is the principle of structure. It is responsible for the structure and structure of body tissue. Kapha's character is characterized by calmness, balance, caring and comfort.

Every person is unique. All three doshas are present in each individual, but the extent to which they occur is entirely individual. One dosha often dominates, but there are also mixed types. This basic constitution is present from birth and determines personality, behavior and even appearance.

In Ayurvedic teaching, health means that the doshas are balanced. This is the case when you align your life according to your needs.

Everything in nature is cyclical, each phase of the cycle is assigned a dosha. Spring, summer, autumn and winter. Pick up and drop off. Breath in and breath out. Coming into the world and leaving it.

And also the follicular and luteal phases of the female cycle.

2 What does Ayurveda have to do with the cycle?

The menstrual cycle lasts an average of 28 days. It is counted from the first day of your period and ends on the last day before your next period.

The first half of the cycle is called the follicular phase. An egg matures and produces more and more estrogen.

The second half of the cycle, the luteal phase, begins with ovulation. Now the progesterone level increases. If the egg is not fertilized, the progesterone level drops again and the menstrual period initiates a new cycle.

Menstruation is the time of purification and is characterized by Vata. The uterus contracts and sheds the old tissue.

If Vata is already imbalanced within you, you may suffer increased pain and constipation during this time. You can also perceive the airy element of Vata on an emotional level. Remember the saying 'be with the wind.'

Cleansing doesn't just affect the body. It is typical for this phase that you are more sensitive and emotional. Many women feel the need to be alone, to look inward. Thoughts are also in motion due to Vata, creativity and inventiveness are typical of the menstrual phase.

Between menstruation and up to ovulation, Kapha predominates. The mucous membrane rebuilds itself and the follicles mature.

If Kapha is already imbalanced, you may feel heavy and weak in the follicular phase.

The Kapha phase stands for renewal and construction. You can now give form to the creative ideas from the Vata phase.

The Pitta phase is reached with ovulation. Your inner fire burns. You feel attractive, feminine, confident and communicative.

The planning of the idea is complete, it is time for action and implementation.

If Pitta is imbalanced in you, you may suffer from intermenstrual bleeding, hot flashes, a red face or acne during the luteal phase.

The luteal phase is characterized by Vata and Pitta.

The estrogen level drops, the progesterone increases, and the two doshas also merge. The active Pitta becomes a calmer Vata. The body often signals this with its need to withdraw.

If you have a lot of Pitta, you may find the transition from the luteal phase to your menstrual period particularly difficult and suffer from the typical symptoms of PMS.

3 How can you use this knowledge for yourself?

Read your body's signals and get to know it better. Various cycle disorders can indicate an imbalance in your basic constitution. Supporting your body with Ayurveda is neither expensive nor complicated. There are small and simple rituals in everyday life that bring you back into balance.

Vaginal dryness, an irregular cycle, cramps and pain can be traced back to the Vata dosha.

You can counteract the cold, dry and unstable Vata with warmth, calm and grounding:

Intuitively, your body usually already demands it. Cuddle up with a hot water bottle. Avoid cold foods and raw foods that are difficult to digest. Your body needs warm, filling foods; a porridge or stew made from root vegetables is ideal. Balance exercises from yoga practice help you to ground yourself. Oil massages (sesame oil is particularly suitable) loosen your cramps and warm you up additionally.

Red skin, rashes, acne, diarrhea, very heavy menstruation and breakthrough bleeding indicate Pitta Dosha.

If the fiery Pitta burns too strongly within you, grounding and cooling helps. Try to avoid caffeine and sugar during this time, they only fuel your Pitta unnecessarily. Take a conscious break, preferably with a walk in the countryside. Breathing exercises and meditation bring you back to the now when you want to rush away from all the Pitta. Don't miss out on sleep, even with a lot of Pitta your body needs rest. Maybe it will help you to write a diary as an evening ritual to end your day.

Heaviness, nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, tender and painful breasts, as well as susceptibility to colds are based on the Kapha dosha.

In order not to freeze in Kapha, your body needs activation and support in detoxification.

Light and spicy dishes are ideal. Avoid salty and fatty foods and generally avoid eating anything between meals during this time. Get yourself together for a sweaty sports session, whether it's running or Pilates. Support your body with plenty of warm water or tea. Oil pulling, tongue scraping or dry brushing are an ideal addition to your morning routine to really boost your metabolism.

Observe yourself, your energy level, your needs during your cycle. It's best to record this in writing, in your diary or in a note app. The more you know yourself, the better you can use this.

Don't force something that doesn't fit at the wrong moment. This is like wanting to swim upstream. It works for a short time, but is infinitely more tiring than going with the current.

You may notice that certain things are easier for you in a certain phase than in others.

Whenever you can, plan your appointments to align with your internal clock.

Use the Vata (menstrual period) time to brainstorm, form ideas and live out your creativity.

Plan in the Kapha period (follicular phase) and prepare everything you need for implementation.

Use the energy boost of the Pitta period (luteal phase) and implement your plan, including presentations and important conversations in this phase of extroversion and self-confidence.

If you pay attention to the principles of the 3 doshas in your cycle, you will find your inner strength again. Observe your cycle, your needs and, thanks to Ayurveda, live a life in the balance of your basic constitution.

About the author:

Corinne Tolotto ist certified organization coach brings her clients more structure, lightness and joy into their lives through Lagom. On her blog she writes about tidying, sustainability and productivity.