Air and Space
Vata Dosha is the principle of movement in all living organisms and is a combination of the elements: air and space. Vata Dosha is closely related to the nervous system.
According to Ayurveda, the main characteristics of Vata Dosha in any person are:
Characteristics can appear in the body as:
Mobility |
Generally quick actions, fast walking and speech, restless eyes, likes travelling and often has mood swings. |
Dryness |
Dry body (including skin, hair and lips), an inclination towards constipation as a result of dryness. |
Coldness |
Dislike towards cold weather, generally cold feet and hands, an inclination towards poor blood circulation. |
Lightness |
Generally underweight, thin physique (bones and muscles), light sleeper. |
Roughness |
Rough and cracked skin, nails, hair feet and hand. Cracking joints. |
Some of the bodily functions ruled by Vata Dosha are:
- physical movement
- respiration
- starts activities and processes in the body
- stimulation of Agni (digestive fire)
- excretion
- development of the embryo
- sensory perception
- speech
- hearing
- enthusiasm
- creativity
The imbalance created by excess Vata Dosha can be exacerbated by:
- stress, over-exertion, or pressure
- irregular daily routine or irregular mealtimes
- going to bed late
- raw, cold or dry foods
- coffee, tea, carbonated drinks or cigarettes
- long journeys
- cold, windy weather, especially in autumn or winter
Vata Dosha can be balanced by:
- a regular daily routine, including sleep and meal times
- regular relaxation
- warm nourishing foods with sweet, sour and salty tastes
- moderate alcohol intake
- keeping warm in cold weather
- Ayurvedic massages