Balancing Vishama Agni
Correcting vishama agni is largely about pacifying vata and increasing warmth and stability throughout our lives. Because vata is the subtlest of the three doshas, vishama agni is profoundly affected not only by what we eat, but also by how we eat and how we live. In fact, vishama agni responds very well to subtle therapies like pranayama, yoga, vata pacifying lifestyle habits, and an emphasis on daily routine. Here are a few suggestions for strengthening an irregular digestive fire.
Diet
- Eat a vata pacifying diet oriented around oily, grounding, nourishing foods.
- Include generous amounts of high quality, organic oils like ghee, sesame oil and olive oil.
- Stoke the digestive fire about 30 minutes before lunch and dinner by chewing a slice of fresh ginger (about the size of a nickel) with a pinch of sea salt, a few drops of lime juice, and about ¼ teaspoon honey. If this feels overwhelming, you could take one or two Vata Digest tablets about 30 minutes before lunch and dinner, instead.
Lifestyle
- Establish some routine: awaken, eat, and go to sleep at similar times from one day to the next and do your best to follow a vata pacifying daily routine.
- Practice 5–15 minutes of Nadi Shodhana pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing) daily to relax the nervous system.
- Adopt a vata pacifying exercise routine:
- It should not be overly stimulating, but gentle and grounding instead. Favor activities like walking, hiking, light jogging, swimming, or gentle cycling.
- Practice vata pacifying yoga or a handful of slow and purposeful Sun Salutations each morning.
Herbs
These herbs and formulas are particularly balancing for vata.
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Balancing Tikshna Agni
Correcting tikshna agni is largely about pacifying pitta and cooling, grounding, calming, and containing the fire. Because pitta is relatively light and subtle, tikshna agni is affected not only by what we eat, but also by how we eat and how we live. In fact, tikshna agni tends to respond well to more subtle practices like pranayama, yoga, pitta pacifying lifestyle habits, and an emphasis on daily routine.
Balancing Manda Agni
Correcting manda agni requires pacifying kapha and kindling agni in order to counter the accumulated heaviness and moisture. Because kapha is the most tangible of the doshas, manda agni is profoundly affected by the gross influences of diet and exercise. That said, subtle therapies like pranayama, yoga, and kapha pacifying lifestyle habits, can offer meaningful support to the mind and emotional factors that so often contribute to kapha-aggravating behaviors (think lethargy, emotional eating, lack of motivation).
