Vata Dosha
Vata (ether and air) governs movement.
The bASICS
VATA, “that which moves”, is the combined energy of the ether and air elements. It regulates movement of the body, transport of nutrients, fluids, nerve impulses, wastes, and last but not least the movement of your mind, i.e. thoughts and feelings.
Vata qualities: light, cold, dry, rough, mobile, clear, subtle
Vata time of day: 2am-6am, 2pm-6pm.
Vata season: fall to mid-winter
Vata season of one’s life: 55 years old +
Seat of vata in the body (and therefore areas where imbalances may occur): colon, pelvic organs, thighs, sacrum, nervous system
The vata mind-body type
Vata constitutions are usually lean, very tall or very short, with a long face, brown hair and eyes. They tend towards hyperactivity, and lose weight easily. Their digestion is irregular, as is their appetite.
Psychologically, the vata type is creative, flexible, enthusiastic, joyful. Vata people tend to be artistic, intuitive, with a fertile and vivid imagination. They may find it hard to implement all their ideas for lack of stamina. They learn quickly, but do not retain the material very long.
Spiritually, the enthusiastic nature of a vata constitution can easily lead them to explore many paths, many teachers, and end up feeling scattered without much of a foundation. Being naturally inclined toward moving and going places, vata types benefit from the yoga of action (karma yoga), to ground any new teaching and theoretical knowledge in a direct, embodied experience.
What imbalances vata
Too much movement, talking, traveling, exercising. computer use, exposure to cold, dry, and windy environments, and not enough rest all throw vata out of balance. Lack of self-care in general and not having enough regularity in their daily routines is very aggravating to the delicate vata energy, which needs a lot of TLC. Raw foods and juices, due to being cold and dry, further imbalance this energy. One thing that aggravates vata types immensely is not getting enough quality sleep
When out of balance vata types feel overwhelmed and ungrounded, they multitask, expand too much energy in too many directions, go too long without stopping and end up crashing, or having a nervous breakdown, a way their body forces them to slow down in order to recover. .
Common vata disorders are insomnia, excessive worry, restlessness, anxiety, feeling spacey, constipation, gas, dry skin, shifting aches and pain, fatigue.
BALANCED VATA
The vata person needs grounding, physically and emotionally. A structured lifestyle and regular self-care will do that. They should in particular develop a good bedtime routine to assure quality sleep, and keep their nervous system replenished.
Other things that balance the vata energy and vata-aggravated person:
Regular wake-up times, meal times, work and play time, all crucial to contain the erratic vata energy.
Moderate exercise, at a moderate intensity, to smooth out the flow of their life force, and ground the hyperactive mind.
Gentle yoga, calming breathing techniques, yin martial arts, tai chi, dancing, mindful weight lifting.
Nourishing, dense, warm, grounding foods, with a substantial amount of fat.
The sweet, salty and sour tastes.
Rest more. Do less.
Stillness, silence.
Warm oil massage (abhyanga)
Earthy colors such as beige, brown, sand, taupe, orange, gold, saffron.
Aromatherapy: lavender, spikenard (jatamansi), frankincense, vetiver, patchouli, clary sage.
