Vata Qualities
What Does Vata Type Mean
Vata derives from the elements of Space and Air and translates as “wind” or “that which moves things.” It is the energy of movement and the force governing all biological activity. Vata is often called the “King of the Doshas,” since it governs the body’s greater life force and gives motion to Pitta and Kapha.
Just as the wind in balance provides movement and expression to the natural world, the balanced Vata individual is active, creative, and gifted with a natural ability to express and communicate. When the wind in a Vata type rages like a hurricane, negative qualities quickly overshadow these positive attributes. Common signs of Vata imbalance include anxiety and bodily disorders related to dryness, such as dry skin and constipation.
Qualities of Vata Type
The qualities of Vata are dry, rough, light, cold, subtle, and mobile. A Vata individual will display physical and mental characteristics that reflect these qualities in both a balanced and an imbalanced state.
Location of Vata in The Body
The main locations of Vata in the body are the colon, thighs, bones, joints, ears, skin, brain, and nerve tissues.
Character of Vata Type
Vata people love music and dance. They can relax well when listening to classical music, enjoy warm and gentle oil massages and can forget themselves and the world in the process. Soft fabrics such as silk, silk-wool blend, and cotton on the skin provide for basic inner balance. The rooms they live in should radiate warmth and comfort. An easy chair or sofa with a soft fleece blanket helps them to relax quickly.
Physical Characteristics of Vata Type
Vata people tend to have thinner skin, fuzzy hair, and tooth irregularities. Their eyes are generally small and move quickly back and forth. In the summer, the sun turns people with dominant Vata turn deep brown, which causes even more damage to their skin that is already prone to early aging.
Vata Disorder
Vata types can get restless and forget to eat, which can hurt their frequently changing digestion even more. Because of their activity on many different levels, they tend to have sleep disorders.
If Vata types remain out of balance for an extended period of time, anxiety and nervousness may occur. If they live an irregular life, they can tend to have rheumatoid arthritis and other joint problems.
Health Tips
If Vata is predominant in the personal constitution, fasting should be avoided. Strenuous physical exertion and working in air-conditioned rooms should also be avoided and should try to stay in warm and humid locations to create a quiet, safe, and comfortable environment.
Best Diet for Vata Type
One nutrition rule applies above all others for Vata types: “Eat hot meals at regular times.” Such a rhythm will be very good for your digestion.
Fruits
Sweet Fruits: Apricots Avocados Bananas Berries Cherries Coconut Fresh Figs Papaya Peaches Plums
Sour Fruits: Grapefruits Lemons Grapes Mangoes Sweet melons (not too cooling) Sour Oranges Pineapples
Vegetables
Warm Vegetables: Asparagus Beets Carrots Garlic Green Beans Onions, dried Parsnips Peas Pumpkin Squash Sweet Potato Radishes Turnips Leafy Greens (in moderation)
Nuts, Seeds, Oils
Nuts: Almonds Brazil Nuts Cashews Coconuts Filberts Hazelnuts Macadamia Nuts Pecans pistachios Pinenuts Walnuts Seeds: Chia seeds Flax seeds Pumpkin seeds Sesame seeds Sunflower seeds Tahini
*all are acceptable in small amounts.
Sprouted Whole Grains Amaranth Kamut Oats Wheat Brown rice (excellent) Spelt Wild Rice Buckwheat
Culinary Spices
Sweet and/or Warming Herbs and Spices: Allspice Anise Asafoetida (hing) Basil Bay leaf Black Pepper (sparingly) Caraway Cardamom Cilantro (green coriander) Clove Cumin Cinnamon Fennel Ginger Juniper Berries Liquorice root Mace Marjoram Mustard Nutmeg Organe Peel Oregano Sage Tarragon Thyme
Herbal Teas
Sweet, Nourishing Teas: Ajwan Chamomile Comfrey Elderberry Eucalyptus Fenugreek Liquorice Root Marshmallow Lemongrass Lavender Hawthorn Juniper-berry Oat-straw Raspberry Rose-hip Saffron.
Exercise
30 minutes, 3 times per week: Gentle Movement Yoga Walking, Hiking, Chi Gong Deep Breathing (Pranayama)