Deranged? Moi?
Ninety minutes and $120 later, Cate diagnosed me with vata derangement. Sounds extreme, I know. But what is it, really? Turns out that whether we recognize it or not, vata derangement is a highly common ailment in our fast-paced modern society. Here's a rough summary:

In ayurveda, the human constitution is comprised of three essential forces: vata (air), pitta (fire), and kapha (earth). Each of us is governed by these forces to varying degrees. For example, someone who is very energetic but quick-tempered is probably ruled by fire. When one element or another takes on too much influence in our bodies, imbalance occurs.

The air element (just as the wind) tends to bring about erratic motion. So a person with an air imbalance is much like a plastic bag flitting about on a busy highway. Every time a car speeds by, the bag goes whoosh and tumbles around uncontrollably. Sometimes, it sails beautifully and peacefully through the air, but eventually, an unexpected current snaps it in another direction.

This all makes for a pretty bumpy ride. Varying catalysts shift people into vata derangement: death of a loved one, sudden unemployment, an ugly break-up, and natural disaster are just a few of these. For me, it was a drastic relocation that “threw” me. Whatever the cause, the effect is the same: an empowered, confident, and focused person becomes distracted, overwhelmed, and vulnerable.

Cate sent me off with a list of “prescriptions,” which thankfully had nothing to do with popping pills. Instead, she recommended rituals that I was to integrate into my daily life. The key to curing my plastic-bag syndrome, said Cate, was to establish a steady routine that would ground me again.