Vata dosha

Vata Dosha physical and mental characteristics and balancing 

Physical characteristics –

According to Ayurveda Vata people are the leanest of the doshas: they tend to have small bones and underweight, flexible bodies. They either quite short or very tall, and they usually have a hard time putting on weight. One of the main qualities of Vata dosha is dryness, and so Vata people tend to have dry skin that wrinkles easily. Lips and tongue can be dry as well, and sometimes there is tendency to get hoarse. This same dryness can cause constipation; it can also cause cracking in the joints. Coarseness is another quality that can show up in cracked skin, split ends of hair, nails that break easily. The hair is usually dark, thin and brittle.

A Vata person’s face can be asymmetrical, with an uneven nose or large, uneven ears. Their eyes, which are small and dark, tend to move around nervously; their heartbeat can be irregular; and they can suffer from tremors and nervous tics. Teeth are large, broken, or uneven. Eating, drinking and sleeping habits are often erratic; digestion is not so reliable, and there can be tendency to get gastritis. Vatas have poor stamina and don’t cope well with intense physical challenges or stress. Though they have strong interest in initiating sex.

Vata people are cold by nature and they hardly sweat. Their circulation is poor, causing them to have cold hands. As a result, heat is very appealing to Vatas.

Just as wind moves, Vata people like to be on the move, too, and they do many things quickly, often on impulse. They eat quickly, walk quickly, talk quickly. When Vata people are not balanced, their speech can be unclear. Even though they have poor stamina, they are drawn to fast and vigorous exercise, like jogging.

Some typical Vata ailment includes headaches, earaches, sore throat, constipation, gas, arthritis.

Mental Characteristics – 

Vatas are blessed with creative energy and imagination. They are visionary people and often choose career in arts. Sometimes Vatas have a mental clarity that actually translates into clairvoyance.

Balanced Vata person is happy and loving. Vata person is able to respond immediately with enthusiasm. Vata have quick, fluid mind, and they can learn and grasp things easily. They generally earn money easily, and spend it by travelling.

Though Vatas learn readily, when they are out of balance, they can forget quickly what they have learned. An unbalanced Vata thinking can be hyperactive and unclear. Taken further Vata can become spacey, anxious, and fearful. They can be terribly restless, which can translate in to a compulsion to change anything and everything in their lives. Their love of travel can make it difficult for them to maintain any kind of stability. They can have hard time with commitment and are notorious for changing jobs, houses, and relationships.

Summary of Vata Characteristic –

• Thin, light, delicate physique; either tall or short.
• Tendency toward dryness: dry hair, skin, lips; constipation
• Tendency toward roughness: rough skin, hair, nails, hands and feet
• Cracking or unstable joints
• Stiff muscles
• Sensitive to cold
• Cold extremities, poor circulation
• Prone to palpitation, irregular heartbeat, muscle spasm, nervous stomach
• Mood swing, irregular daily habits
• Irregular appetite, digestion, prone to gastritis
• Sensitive to wind and sound
• Prone to sore throat, earache, dry cough, headache, anxiety
• Low physical endurance
• Ready interest in sex; quick sated
• Like travel
• Light sleeper, sometimes insomniac
• Highly Imaginative and creative
• Mentally quick but forgets easily
• Cant save money

Ayurveda for balancing Vata–

Here are few basic steps recommended by Ayurvedic practitioner that you can follow to help you balance Vata. Avoid cold temperature, make sure to keep warm especially in the winter. Stay away from cold and raw foods, and eat more warm and spicy foods. Try to avoid excess stimulation, and don’t overexert yourself. As much as you can, get regular and adequate rest. During imbalances uses of Ayurvedic medicine and diet will restore balance.