Grounded

Vata season can be chaotic. The predominance of the air element can have us feeling all over the place, like leaves blowing in the wind. Our society is fast-paced enough as it is, and with school back in session, numerous holidays and shorter days, it can feel like there’s hardly enough time to keep up with it all. It can be easy to get swept away if we’re not firmly rooted. In order to maintain balance, it’s crucial that we find ways to stay grounded, for if we don’t, it’s only a matter of time before nature forces us to slow down. Fortunately, we carry one of the best grounding tools available with us at all times, wherever we go — our body.

Our body is always present. When our mind is stuck in the past or racing towards the future, our body provides a doorway for us to return to the Now. Placing our conscious awareness in our body enables us to ground ourselves in the present moment and to be fully present in ourselves wherever we are. When we find ourselves hastily running from one thing to the next, taking a moment in between activities to practice body awareness can be greatly beneficial. Allowing ourselves a few minutes to scan our body and tune into our bodily sensations is all that’s needed to tap the brakes and slow down. We’re often unaware of how fast we’ve been moving because there are no proverbial speed limits in our mind to keep us from continuously hitting the gas pedal, and once our thoughts start racing it becomes more difficult to steer them in the right direction.

Give yourself a break. Tune into your body for a few minutes throughout the day. Even if that means just feeling the sensations in your feet and toes for two minutes, let your mind join your body in the present moment. Vata imbalance is considered to be responsible for the most diseases of any dosha. Practicing self-care is one of the most selfless things we can do because it keeps us healthy so we can fulfill our duties so that they don’t become a burden on anyone else while we recover from being sick. Dis-ease is the result of imbalance. Aim to achieve balance. Take the time you need to practice being grounded in your body. You truly deserve to enjoy your body and your health!