Vata Dosha Characteristics
Updated: Aug 28
Vata (pronounced "vaata" or sometimes "waata") dosha is the dosha that is all about movement.
It helps us to move our limbs, walk, swallow food, breathe, eliminate waste, and more.
Vata is composed of the air and ether elements, according to Ayurveda.
Vata dosha is quite beautiful when balanced, but can create anxiety, worry fear, insecurity, and loneliness when out of balance.
When it is out of balance over time, it can lead to constipation, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and other degenerative diseases.
Unfortunately, Vata dosha is the dosha that goes out of balance the easiest for all of us, all of the time, no matter our constitution, because it has movement.
Keep reading to learn more about Ayurveda and vata dosha characteristics:
First, the Definition of Dosha
In Ayurveda, dosha is defined as "that which goes out of balance" or "fault".
The doshas are energetic properties in the body that are used to:
Describe Constitution
This is known as prakriti, the combination of doshas present a the time of birth (or some say conception) that make up an individual.
This constitution doesn't change over time, but the doshas can go out of balance.
describe
The Current State of Balance.
Vikriti is when the doshas fluctuate, which usually means that they increase, which is called aggravation.
The doshas are in excess of what should be present for a particular person's constitution.
Describe the Systems within the Body.
The doshas rule different sites and functions in the body.
For example, vata dosha rules the colon and is also responsible for the movement of waste through the colon.
When there is excess vata, constipation may ensue.
The Three Doshas
Ayurveda recognizes three doshas:
vata
pitta
kapha
Usually, people have a predominance of two of the doshas and the third dosha is not as prominent.
For example, I've been told that my constitution is pitta kapha, but I still have vata in my constitution, just much less.
Some people are tridoshic, meaning all three doshas are basically of the same quantity in the constitution (33 1/3 vata, 33 1/3 pitta, 33 1/3 kapha), which is pretty unusual.
It's also possible to meet people who seem like one dosha is predominant and the other two are much less, although, this is also quite rare.
How to Determine Your Ayurvedic Constitution
Many books about Ayurveda will include a constitution test.
Or you can try an online constitution test like this one from Banyan Botanicals.
My suggestion when doing these tests is to try to answer based on your memories of yourself from childhood.
If the questions are answered based on current conditions, you may find your current state of balance (vikriti) rather than your constitution (prakriti).
Book recommendations to help you in this journey:
Prakriti by Dr. Robert Svoboda
Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing by Dr. Vasant Lad
Why Should I Care About My Constitution (Prakriti)?
By knowing your constitution, it's possible to find balance and to know when the body is out of balance.
It may take some time to clear up imbalances before the constitution really begins to shine through, so don't get discouraged.
When I first started studying Ayurveda, I identified a lot with vata dosha, because I, unknowingly, had a vata imbalance.
Looking at me it's quite obvious that my constitution is pitta kapha, so I was confused for quite a while.
Once I understood it was a vata dosha imbalance and I got it mostly back in balance, then my pitta kapha constitution made much more sense.
Qualities (Gunas)
The qualities (gunas) in Ayurveda are helpful in finding balance in the body.
There are 10 pairs of opposite qualities, plus some other qualities discussed in the classics of Ayurveda.
These opposite qualities include dry vs oily, light vs heavy, and cold vs hot.
The general rule of Ayurveda is that like increases like and opposites decrease.
For example, if there is too much dryness in the body, then Ayurveda recommends oil to help alleviate that dryness.
Read more about The 20 Qualities of Ayurveda:
Exploring Vata Dosha Characteristics
Vata Dosha Qualities
dry
light
rough
cold
subtle
mobile
clear
Qualities to Pacify (Reduce/Balance) Vata Dosha
These are the qualities opposite to the list above that help to balance, or reduce, vata dosha.
oily
heavy
smooth
hot/warm
gross
static
cloudy/sticky
Vata Dosha is Responsible For:
movement
creativity
joy
happiness
sneezing
speech
prana vayu--one's vital life force
apana vayu--the downward flow of movement governing the elimination of feces, urine, menstrual flow, semen, and the downward movement of the fetus
and more
Physical Vata Dosha Characteristics
light, flexible bodies
big, protruding teeth
small, recessed, dry eyes
fluctuating appetite and thirst
often experience digestive and malabsorption issues
delicate in health
dry, kinky hair
tending toward constipation
dark complexion, hair, and eyes
Behavioral Vata Dosha Characteristics
alert and quick to act without much thinking
fast walking and talking
often light sleepers
like to move furniture or residences because of boredom
seek constant action
make good money, but spend it on trifles and have difficulty saving money
Psychological Vata Dosha Characteristics
easily excited
good imaginations
enjoy daydreaming
loving people
fear of darkness, heights, and enclosed spaces
flexible in faith, but faith may be fleeting
understands new information immediately and forgets immediately
Vata Dosha Characteristics When Balanced
flexible
joyful
creative
free
Vata Dosha Characteristics Out of Balance
fear
insecurity
worry
anxiety
loneliness
constipation
dry skin, nails, hair, eyes
thirst
racing thoughts
excessive movements
and may eventually lead to diseases such as:
osteoporosis
osteoarthritis
degenerative diseases
restless leg
memory loss/dementia
and more
Now That You Know the Vata Dosha Characteristics, How to Find Balance?
There are many ways to find balance for vata dosha now that you know the Vata dosha characteristics.
And remember that vata dosha is the dosha that goes out of balance the easiest, for all of us, all the time, no matter the constitution.
Here are some great places to start when trying to balance vata dosha:
1. Abhyanga
One that has had a profound effect on my own life is abhyanga, self-massage with warm oil.
Remember how we talked about the qualities of vata above--dry, light, rough, cold, subtle, mobile, and clear?
When there is an excess of these qualities, applying the opposite qualities helps to pacify vata.
The qualities of oiling the body are oily, heavy, smooth, warm (if the oil is warmed first, which it should be), gross, and slimy.
All of these qualities associated with oil help to reduce vata.
When there is anxiety, worry, fear, insecurity, and/or loneliness, oiling of the body can be used to help ease these emotions.
In Sanskrit, the language in which Ayurvedic texts were originally written, there is a word "sneha".
Sneha means oil, but it also means love, so this oiling of the body is an act of self-love.
Learn more about abhyanga here.
Or book an appointment for an abhyanga treatment with me if near Takoma Park, MD.
2. Eating warm, moist foods
This one is simple, but not always easy to remember.
Eating warm, moist foods that are cooked in good quality oils (like ghee, sesame oil, mustard oil, olive oil) helps to reduce vata when it is out of balance.
Avoiding dry, light, rough, and cold foods like chips, crackers, raw veggies, rice cakes, and iced beverages will also help to reduce vata.
Some examples of warm, moist foods include:
soups, like this butternut squash and sweet potato soup
stews
roasted root veggies made with good oils
3. Taking time to relax and do nothing
This may sound like quite a challenge, especially in our busy, busy world, but vata, as mentioned before, governs movement.
And, more importantly, the more movement one makes the more vata increases.
Taking time to be still and relaxed can really help to reduce vata.
Maybe sit outside in nature or on the couch with no TV, phone, book, or music. Just being still and quiet, with no distractions
4. Getting a good night's rest
Sleep is one of the pillars of Ayurveda and a good night's rest helps to calm vata.
Ayurveda recommends getting to sleep by 10 pm and waking by 6 am or sunrise.
Everyone may need a different amount of sleep, but people with vata in their constitution, or those who have a vata imbalance, need more sleep.
You can read about some Ayurvedic sleep techniques here to get a good, deep sleep.
5. Yoga nidra
Yoga nidra, translated as yogic sleep, is a beautiful practice that helps to settle vata dosha.
There are many yoga nidra practices available online and on Spotify.
Check out my Yoga Nidra offerings.
6. Consider booking an online Ayurvedic consultation
During an online Ayurvedic consultation, we discuss individualized Ayurvedic practices that are appropriate for you and your current state of balance.
You can book a 90-minute initial consultation through the link below.
Learn more about Vata Dosha:
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