Vattta

UNDERSTANDING VATA DOSHA.

Are your hands and feet always cold? Do you have a hard time gaining weight? Do you often feel scattered and “spaced out,” or suffer from occasional sleeplessness and constipation? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you might have a Vata dosha imbalance—or, you might be a Vata dosha mind-body type.

WHAT’S A DOSHA?

According to Ayurveda, the five natural elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth) are present in your mind and body, too—in form of the doshas: Vata (ether, air), Pitta (fire, water), and Kapha (water, earth). These elemental energies influence everything from your physical shape and digestion to the way you process thoughts and emotions. Find out your Dosha here.

Everyone has all three doshas present in their mind and body, but most of us tend to have one or two doshas predominating.

WHAT IS VATA DOSHA?

Vata dosha is the Ayurvedic mind-body element associated with air and space. It’s light, cool, and dry in nature, and it governs all movement and processes in your mind and body—including processes like blood flow, elimination, breathing, and the movement of thoughts in your mind.

VATA DOSHA CHARACTERISTICS / MIND-BODY CONSTITUTION

If you have a predominantly Vata constitution, the qualities of Vata dosha (light, cool, dry, quick) will be noticeably expressed in your mind and body. Your body is probably naturally thin and slender. Your hands and feet may tend to get cold easily, and your skin is cool and dry to the touch (especially in your extremities). Your sleep may sometimes be a bit elusive or easily disturbed.

Intellectually, you have an agile mind that moves quickly—though you may be prone to forget things just as easily as you learn them! Your emotions are likely fluid as well. People with strong Vata tendencies are creative, dynamic, whirlwind types who often find themselves rushed or in a hurry.

HOW TO BALANCE VATA DOSHA—EASY LIFESTYLE TIPS

One of the foundational principles of Ayurveda is that “like increases like,” and opposites balance. Therefore, because Vata dosha is cool, light, and dry, it benefits from things that are warming, grounding, and nurturing. One of the best things you can do to counter Vata’s light, somewhat erratic nature is to follow a regular routine that includes warm, nourishing foods and plenty of rest.

Here are some other easy things you can do to remedy a Vata imbalance:

  • Follow a Vata dosha-balancing diet, favoring warm, oily, heavy, well-spiced foods with sweet, sour, and salty tastes, and avoiding those that are cold, dry, and raw. See full Vata Dosha Diet Guidelines below.

  • Ensure you have some downtime every day.

  • Try not to skip meals. Instead, eat three warm, cooked meals per day at about the same time each day.

  • Avoid stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, or staying up late watching TV and looking at electronic devices

  • Go to bed early at night, well before ten o'clock, and rise before 6:00 a.m.

  • Give yourself a soothing daily abhyanga (self-massage with warm oil) to help improve circulation, calm the nerves, and alleviate dry skin.

  • Avoid work that is stressful—especially in the evening hours—and make time for relaxing exercise, like walks and yoga.

  • Do gentle breathing exercises like pranayama each day.

  • Bundle up in cool or cold, windy weather. Keep your extremities well protected and warm.

  • Reduce mental stress with meditation.

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