Vāta Doṣa

What is a Doṣa (Dough-Sha)? (Can be skipped for those who are already familiar)

A Doṣa in Ayurveda refers to the bodily, mental, and emotional constitution of a person. There are three main Doṣa called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, each one being made up of two elements. Each person is born with one or two predominant Doṣa (known as prakṛti) which will often determine the unique qualities in both their physical and mental makeup. When dis-ease begins to manifest, we can see how two or more elements, and their qualities, begin expressing in an “excessive” manner. The way in which we restore balance then, is through using opposing elements and qualities to those that are aggravated to begin with.

• Vata = Ether/Space (Ākāśa) + Air (Vāyu) 

• Pitta = Fire (Agni) + Water (Āpas)

• Kapha = Water (Āpas) + Earth (Pṛthvī) 

VATA DOSHA 

Elements of Vata Dosha: Ether/Space (Ākāśa) + Air (Vāyu) 

The air and space in the body govern all movement, communication, thoughts and emotions. They play important roles in our ability to receive information from the outer world, the movement of thoughts and emotions, our ability to express and speak without fear, digestion and churning of food in the stomach, regulating the circulatory system, regulating the nervous system, and maintaining the downward movement and flow of bowels, urine, menstruation, and orgasms. Vata is there to make sure things move in the proper direction so that there are no blockages or back-flow.

Qualities of Vata Dosha: 

“Tatra ruksho laghu sheetah, khara sukshmaschalo nilah” —The qualities of Vata are dry, light, cool, rough, subtle, and mobile.— Ashtanga Hrdayam: Sutrasthana I:11

Vata’s Physical Body

• Thin body frame - small and thin bones - long thin limbs

• They have a harder time gaining weight and may often be underweight

• Skin and hair may appear and feel dry or rough

• Hair tends to be thin, curly/kinky, and dry - usually brown in color

• Vata will tend towards brown discoloration - skin, teeth, tongue, menstruation etc.

• Body will feel cold often and they will suffer from cold hands and feet

• Eyes tend to be smaller in size and can easily dry out

• General facial features are smaller and thinner

• Joints may stiffen due to dryness which can cause pain

• Air may also enter the joints causing excessive cracking and popping of joints

• Ringing of the ears

• Jaw pain

• Grinding of teeth at night

• Scanty sleep, insomnia

• Gas, bloating, burping, constipation, dry stools that are difficult to pass

• Lower back pain

• Sciatica

• Light and scanty menstruation, again, brown in color

• Imbalances in nervous system causing tremors, twitches, spasms, tingling sensations etc.

• Fatigue

• Dry cough

• Hoarseness of voice

• Air pockets in lungs

• Porous bones - Osteoporosis

Vata’s Mental and Emotional Body

• Creative

• Expressive

• Outgoing - Spontaneous

• Loves trying new things

• Friendly - bubbly -

• Energetic

• Mobile - agile

• Open-minded

• Anxiety

• Restlessness

• Nervousness

• Fear

• Difficulty speaking in front of people

• Insecure

• Difficulty focusing/concentrating

• Forgets things easily

• Spacey - Head “in the clouds”

• Talkative - Talks very fast

• Clumsy

• Tends to have nightmares

• Paranoia

• Will usually avoid conflict by removing themselves from the situation — fleeing the scene

• Can sometimes not maintain eye contact

What Balances Vāta Doṣa?

Vāta Doṣa is balanced by it’s opposing elements of Fire, Water, and Earth. Fire brings warmth, focus, and attention, whilst water brings moisture allowing for things to move without friction. And Earth brings grounding, heaviness, nourishment, and lubrication, allowing for the body to build and restore.

Things that balance Vāta Doṣa

• Warm, unctuous, and moist food

• Lots of healthy fats in the diet (if digestive fire can handle)

• Grounding foods such as root vegetables and carbohydrates

• Favor sweet, salty, and sour tastes

• Avoiding dry and rough foods such as - corn chips, dry bread, popcorn, dry nuts, dried fruit, raw vegetables etc..

• Warm and heavy clothing/blankets to keep Vāta Doṣa grounded

• Drinking warm water throughout the day

• Warming spices such as cumin, fresh ginger, black pepper, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, basil, tulsi, oregano, rosemary, star-anise, mustard seeds, (chili, garlic, and onion —can aggravate in excess)

• Calming and soothing lighting and sounds

• Not over-stimulating nervous system through the senses - too many smells, violent or abrupt images, loud noises, too much movement (like riding a roller-coaster)!

• Calm and slow exercise such as slow yoga, holding the poses for longer, slow swimming, walking, anything that builds muscle without too much cardio.

• Not too many activities and things to do throughout the day - going at a slower pace

• Keeping a routine - with meal times, sleep times, daily rituals and practices

• Daily self-abhyanga (oil massage) with sesame oil before bathing to calm the nervous system and lubricate the skin and joints.

• Avoiding screens or thought-provoking activities before bed

• Slowness - eating and speaking slowly

• Avoiding stimulants such as coffee, tea, marihuana, tobacco, alcohol etc..

• Spending time in silence

• Meditating - slowing down and observing thought patterns

  And my goodness… much more!