Flowing with Vata: Your Ayurvedic Journey

What is Vata Dosha?

Vata is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda, and its name is derived from the Sanskrit root "vay" which means "to move" or "to flow”. Vata dosha is a combination of two primary elements: Akasha (ether) and Vayu (wind). It exhibits characteristics like coldness, lightness, roughness, mobility, subtlety, dryness, and astringency.

It plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily processes, and an imbalance in vata can lead to a range of physical and mental issues.

Primary Sites of Vata:

Vata predominantly resides in the colon, but it also influences the bladder, thighs, ears, bones, and the sense of touch. It governs movement throughout the body, from the flow of breath, blood circulation, waste elimination, nerve regulation and reproduction.

Five Subcategories of Vata:

Vata can be further categorised into five subtypes, known as the Pancha Vayu:

1.  Prana Vayu: It is chiefly responsible for breath, vitality, and inspiration. It is primarily located in the head and occupies the region from throat to abdomen. It governs the mind, sensory perception, swallowing, heartbeat and breathing.
2. Vyana Vayu: It manages circulation, cardiac activity, and reflex responses. Vyana Vata is distributed throughout the body, ensuring delivering of nutrients, heat distribution, proper coordination and movement of all body parts.
3. Udana Vayu: It controls speech and upward movement of air, aiding exhalation. It is situated in the head, throat and chest. It controls belching, hiccups, enthusiasm, memory and communication.
4. Samana Vayu: It regulates digestive movements. It resides in the stomach and small intestine, managing intestinal peristalsis, circulation of vata in abdomen, assimilation of nutrients and promoting digestion.
5. Apana Vayu: It manages downward movements, such as urination, bowel movements, and flatulence. It is situated below the navel in lower abdomen. It oversees the elimination of waste, including urine, faeces, ejaculation, menstruation, and giving birth.

In balance, vata promotes creativity, flexibility, and a sense of lightness and joy.

Exploring the Attributes of Vata Individuals

Vata individuals possess a unique blend of physical, psychological, and behavioural characteristics that set them apart. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve deeper into the attributes of Vata individuals-

Physical Characteristics:

Voice	Dry, hoarse voice.
Touch	Pulse feels cold, hard, thin, and variable.
Frame	Small, irregular bone structure, minimal body fat, light muscles.
Weight	Slim or underweight.
Skin	Dry, rough skin with prominent, visible veins.
Hair	Often dry and frizzy.
Nails	Dry and rough.
Eyes	Small, dry eyes.
Nose	Uneven shape, deviated septum.
Tongue	Rough, dry.
Lips	Dry, chapped, black/brown tinged.
Smell	Little body odour due to their cold metabolism.
Digestion	Irregular, experience bloating, constipation, and erratic appetite.
Joints	Cold and cracking.
Sleep	Irregular, or insomniac.
Energy and Emotions	Erratic energy levels and are sensitive to stress, passionate.
Coping with Cold	Easily feel cold, prefer warmth through clothing and hot drinks.

 

Behavioural Traits:

Nature	Restless, keep themselves busy with constant activity.
Walk	Fast walking pace and frequent traveller.
Physical  Activity	Drawn to physical activities but lower stamina.
Sexual Activity	Strong attraction but may struggle with premature ejaculation.
Dreams	Quick, active, multiple, fearful.
Mental Activity	Active, quick minds, excellent imagination and creativity.
Speech	Talk a lot, unclear, rapid, easily excited and hyper-reactive without thinking.

 

Emotional Characteristics:

They are quite loving but prone to fear, anxiety, insecurity, and nervousness. Loneliness and fear can significantly impact their emotional state. They worry too much.

Psychological Characteristics:

Stability	Less stable, even staying in one place for an extended period can be difficult for them.
Clarity	Clear and open-minded.
Forgetfulness	Quick to forget.
Confidence	Lack confidence and boldness.
Financial Habits	Tend to earn money quickly but also spend it rapidly and impulsively, which can lead to financial challenges.

 

Causes of Vata Imbalance:

• By excessive movements, over exertion, dry and cold climate.
• Over consumption of dry foods such as pulses, dry fruits and vegetables.
• The dry, cold, windy seasons of autumn and winter.
• By fear and insecurity.
• At older ages.
• Cold, pungent, astringent and bitter foods.
• Suppression of natural urges like faeces, urine, flatus, hunger, thirst.
• Trauma or injury.
• Stress, anxiety, fatigue.
• Over fasting.
• Late night sleep.
• Alcohol consumption, smoking, or other intoxicants.

Signs of Vata Imbalance:

An aggravated Vata can lead to various health issues and bodily disturbances. Recognising the signs of Vata imbalance is crucial for maintaining well-being.

• Digestive Issues: Gas, abdominal distension, bloating, constipation, or irregular bowel movements.
• Joint Pain: Aches, stiffness, sciatic pain, arthritis, headache, and discomfort in the joints.
• Dry Skin: Dryness, dark discolouration, flakiness, or rough skin, often accompanied by cracking.
• Cold Sensation: Feeling unusually cold, even in warm environments.
• Fatigue: Insomnia, feeling tired and lack of energy.
• Weight Loss: Unintentional weight loss.
• Irregular Menstruation: In women, vata imbalance can lead to irregular periods.
• Loss of strength: Tremors, loss of sensory acuity, incoherency of speech.
• Circulatory Issues: Cold extremities (hands and feet).
• Irritability: Easily agitated and frustrated.
• Psychological changes:  Irrational, Anxious, Nervous and Impatient. Feeling confused, fearful & shaky / Excessive movement or talking.

Balancing Vata:

Ayurvedic texts recommend the principle of opposites for reducing the level of a dosha that has become aggravated. To maintain balance and well-being, Vata individuals should consider the following guidelines:

• Avoid consuming foods with astringent, bitter, and strong pungent flavours, raw and cold foods, instead try favouring warm, moist, slight pungent and slightly oily foods.

• Cook foods with a little ghee (clarified butter), or include some olive oil in your diet every day.

• Pureed soups, cooked fruit, hot cereal, rice pudding and hot nourishing beverages such as nut milks or warm milk are excellent “comfort” foods.

• Drink lots of warm water throughout the day.

• Tastes to favour: Sweet, sour, salty.

• Hot bath, sleeping under a warm blanket, induces sweat and provides moisture to surface.

• Herbs:

Diaphoretics (which induces perspiration): Basil, Ginger, Eucalyptus, Camphor, Cardamom, Cloves.

Nutritive: Liquorice, Slippery elm, Comfrey roots, Almonds, Saw palmetto, Sesame seeds.

Carminative: Ajwain, Asafoetida, Bay leaves, Garlic, Nutmeg, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Rock salt.

Laxatives: Flaxseed, Psyllium seeds, Raisins, Warm milk, Ghee.

Purgatives: Rhubarb, Senna.

Nervine and anti-spasmodic: Guggul, Bayberry.

Recommended Therapies & Routine:

• Enema therapy (Basti): Ayurvedic enemas are performed using oil or herbal decoctions to cleanse the colon and eliminate unwanted waste material from the body. It is best in vata disorders.

• Rasayana (Rejuvenative tonics): Ashwagandha, Calamus, Garlic, Haritaki, Guggul.

• Dress warmly, especially during cold and windy seasons.

• Establish a consistent daily routine to create stability in their lives

• Practice stress management and relaxation techniques like meditation and pranayama to alleviate the sensitivity to anxiety and restlessness.

• Yoga: Practice following postures at a slow, smooth and steady pace.

Dietary Guidelines:

• Grains:

Best: Oats (cooked), Quinoa, Rice (white or brown), Wheat.

Small Amounts: Amaranth, Barley, Millet.

Minimise: Buckwheat, Corn flour, Dry Oats (granola), Sago, Soy Flour, Soy Powder, Polenta, Rye.

• Legumes:

Best: Moong beans, Tur Dhal, Urad Dhal (well cooked- until soft, small lentils and beans are preferred)

Small Amounts: Tofu, Hummus, Lentils (red).

Minimise: Aduki beans, Black Beans, Chickpeas, Kidney Beans, Navy Beans, Green Peas (dried), Pinto Beans, Soy Beans, Split Peas, Temphe, White Beans.

• Dairy:

Best: Cow’s milk, Goat milk, Butter, Buttermilk, Raw or Organic, Homogenised milk.

Small Amounts: Hard cheeses.

Minimise: Ice cream, powdered milk, frozen yogurt.

• Sweeteners:

Best: Raw-uncooked honey, Jaggery, Maltose, Maple Syrup, Molasses, Rice Syrup, Sugarcane Juice, Turbinado.

Small Amounts: Date Sugar, Grape Sugar.

Minimise: Brown Sugar, White Table Sugar.

• Nuts and Seeds:

Best: Almonds, Walnut, Brazil Nuts (all soaked), Chia Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Flax, Pumpkin, Sunflower Seeds.

Small Amounts: Cashews, Filberts, Pecans, Popcorns.

Minimise: Peanuts (Avoid dry roasting).

• Condiments:

Best: Vinegar, Chutney, Black pepper, Dulse, Ketchup, Mango pickle, Kombu, Salt.

Small Amounts: Catsup, Soya Sauce, Mayonnaise.

Minimise: Carob, Chocolate, Horseradish.

• Oils:

Best: Almond, Ghee, Sesame, Flaxseed, Mustard, Olive.

Small Amounts: Avocado, Coconut, Peanut, Sunflower.

Minimise: Safflower.

• Fruits:

Best: Sweeter fruits like Bananas, Cherries, Mangoes, Papaya, Apricot, Avocado, Berries, Coconut, Plum, Raisins and more.

Small Amounts: Sour Apples, Grape Fruit, Kiwi, Cantelope.

Minimise: Dried fruit like Fig, Dates, or Cranberries, Pear, and Pomegranate.

• Vegetables:

Best: Cooked vegetables like Beets, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes.

Small Amounts: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn.

Minimise: Raw Vegetables, Cabbage, Snow Peas.

• Meats:

If consuming meat, limit to 2-3 times per week and eat at lunch.

Small amounts: Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Duck, Eggs, Fish.

Minimise: White Meat, Shrimp, Lamb, Pork, Seafood, Venison, Rabbit and Shellfish.

• Spices:

Best: Anise, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Fennel, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin, Garlic, Ginger (fresh), Marjoram, Mint, Mustard Seeds, Nutmeg, Lemon Peel, Tarragon, Thyme,Turmeric.

Small Amounts: Cayenne Pepper, Cilantro, Fenugreek, Dry Ginger.

Spices should be used moderately, never very hot or bland.

• Beverages:

Best: Room temperature or Warm ater, spicy teas like Chamomile, Cinnamon, Clove, and Ginger, Sweet Orange Juice, Papaya Juice, Peach Nectar, Pineapple Juice, Rice Milk, Soy Milk (hot and well spiced), Aloe Vera Juice, Carrot Juice, Mango Juice, Lemonade, Almond Milk, Apple Juice.

Small Amounts: Diluted fruit juices.

Minimise: Alcohol, Black tea, Carbonated Mineral Water, Coffee, Iced Tea, Soft Drinks.

Avoid: Margarine, Canola, GMO foods, Agave Nectar, High Fructose Sweeteners, Grape Seed Oil, Soda, CAFO meats.

Summing Up:

Understanding Vata Dosha is essential for maintaining well-being and harmony within the body. Recognise the signs of Vata imbalance, make necessary lifestyle and dietary adjustments, and embrace the wisdom of Ayurveda for a more balanced life.

Consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner for a personalised approach to your specific needs and constitution.
 

REFERENCES:

• https://ayurvedichealthcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AHCWS-Food-Brochure-Vata.pdf
• Frawley, David, and Vasant Lad. The Yoga of Herbs. Lotus Press: Santa Fe, 1986.
• The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Dr. Vasant Lad.
• Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice by Sebastian Pole
• Balancing Vata Dosha Diet- Utrecht Ayurveda

Published By Rasayana Limited. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Author: Dr. Monika Mittal
Editor: Taahira Om Kisna
Photography by : Willian Justen