Of all the doshas, vata needs a lot of stability. It’s easily thrown off because it symbolizes movement! In order to pacify an imbalance, vata dosha yoga should focus on grounding and calming moves. Here are five poses for a vata dosha flow.
5 Yoga Poses For A Vata Dosha Flow
1. Easy Pose
Yoga for vata imbalance should focus on grounding poses, like the easy pose or Sukhasana. It’s extremely simple but very powerful. This position will help your body create a foundation with the earth.
- Sit on the floor. Extend your legs in front of you and straighten your back. Cross your legs, placing each foot under the opposite knee.
- Use your hands to gently push your feet inward, letting your hips and knees widen. Rest your hands on your knees so that the palms face downward. Both sides of your butt should be on the ground at all times.
- Align your head, neck, and spine. Sit up nice and straight, and hold for one minute.
2. Warrior Pose-I
Another grounding position is the warrior pose or Virabhadrasana-I. It’ll make you feel strong and steady, which is great for stabilizing the vata mind.
- Stand at the foot of your mat, so that the rest of it is behind you. Keep your feet together. Align your entire body and put your hands on your hips.
- Step back with your left foot. Rotate this ankle so that it creates a 45-degree angle with your right foot. Sink down so that your right knee hovers over your right foot. It’ll feel like a gentle lunge.
- Raise your arms upward, keeping them shoulder-length apart. Straighten your spine and keep the pose solid and powerful.
- Lower your hands onto your hips. Bring your legs back together. Repeat with the left leg.
3. Cobra Pose
A vata yoga sequence should also take pressure off from your lower back. The cobra pose or Bhujangasana is great for this. This position will also stretch out the spine and expand the chest, helping the vata relax.
- Lie down on your stomach. Place your hands just under your shoulders, palms down. Relax your feet so that the front of your ankles are also on the mat. Rest your forehead on the ground and keep your legs together.
- Lift your head, chest, and belly. Your pelvis should stay on the floor, and your shoulders should be open. Curve your spine, one vertebra at a time.
4. Child’s Pose
Relaxing in between asanas is important for vata yoga. But if you have a hard time doing this, take out time to do the child’s pose or Balasana. It’s a restorative pose that’s typically done in between challenging moves.
- Kneel down, resting your buttocks on your feet. Keep your knees together. Bend forward and lay your torso on your thighs.
- Continue until your forehead touches the mat. Straighten your arms in front of you or relax them at your side.
5. Corpse Pose
Almost every yoga sequence ends with corpse pose, or Savasana. But it’s even more important for vata balancing yoga. This calming pose will ease vata’s restlessness, so you should spend a long time doing it.
- Lie on your back. Position your hands on each side of your body, palms up. Keep your legs straight but relaxed.
- Starting with your face, relax each part of your body. Avoid tensing up your shoulders and let yourself feel heavy on the ground. Hold for five minutes.
Vata dosha yoga needs to place extra effort on moving slowly. You may also need more time to control your breath. If you’re having a hard time, frequently check in with yourself throughout the entire flow.
