According to Ayurveda, the first requirement for healing oneself and others is a clear and complete understanding of the three doshas. The concept of vata-pitta-kapha is unique to Ayurveda and it holds the potential for revolutionizing the healing systems of the West.
पित्तम पंगु कफम पंगु पंगवो मल धातव। वायुना यत्र नियंति तत्र गच्छन्ति मेघवत।’
The above Sanskrit quote is from Ashtanga Hridyam, meaning Pitta, Kapha, Dhatus (tissues) and Mala has immobile nature whereas Vata has the property of Mobility (as it represents air and space), which keeps all these four components in motion. That's the reason Vata dosha is said to be the prime and strongest of all three doshas.
Vata is the dosha which is conceptually made up of the elements Ether and Air. The proportion of these two elements determine how active vata dosha is. Vata is the principle of Movement. Vata may be manifested in the human body as bodily air principle, but we should know that the air present in the atmosphere is way different than the air present inside the human body. Bodily air or vata, may be characterized as the subtle energy that governs biological movement. This biological principle of movement results in all indefinite changes in the metabolism process.
Functions of Vata in the human body,
Physical functions governs by Vata:
Breathing
Blinking of the eyelids
Movements in the muscles and tissues
Pulsations in the heart
All expansion and contraction
The movements of cytoplasm and the cell membranes
The movement of the single impulses in nerve cell
Psychological functions governs by Vata:
Feelings and emotions like:
Freshness,
Nervousness,
Fear,
Anxiety,
Pain,
Tremors
Spasms.
The large intestine, pelvic cavity, bones, skin, ears and thighs are the seats of vata. If the body develops an excess of vata, it will accumulate in these area.
These three doshas are totally dependent on each other, Vata moves kapha and pitta since they both are immobile, together tridosha governs all metabolic activities which are Anabolism (kappa), Catabolism (vata) and metabolism (pitta).
In childhood, anabolism and the kapha elements are predominant, since this is the time of greatest physical growth. In adulthood, metabolism (pitta) elements are most apparent since the body is matured and stable. In old age, catabolism (vata) are in most in evidence as body begins to deteriorate.
Vata Dosha constitution:
Let’s first understand the constitutions of vata dosha:
Physical constitution:
If a person has a higher proportion of Vata then they are in general physically underdeveloped.
Body weight: Low, Chests are flat, veins and muscle tendons are visible.
Height: They are either too tall or too short, they have thin frames which reveal prominent joints and bone ends because of poor muscle development.
Skin color: The complexion is brown, the skin is cold, rough, dry and cracked.
Eyes: The eyelashes are thin. The eyes may be sunken, small , dry, active. The conjunctiva is dry and muddy.
Nose: The shape of the nose is bent and turned up.
Teeth: Protruded, Big and crooked. Guns emaciated.
Hair: The hair might be curly and scanty
Nails: Rough and Brittle
Physiologically constitution:
Appetite and digestion: Variable
Taste: sweet, sour, saline
Thirst: Variable
Elimination: Dry, hard, constipated
Sleep: scanty, interrupted.
Physical activity: very active
Psychologically constituents:
Mind: restless, active
Emotional temperament: fearful, insecure, unpredictable
Faith: changeable
Memory: Recent memory good bur remote memory poor
Dreams: fearful, flying, jumping, running
Speech: fast
Financial status: Poor spends money quickly.
Pulse: Thread, feeble, moves like a snake
How to know If you are a Vata person?
Vata people represent the characteristics of wind, they are restless, fast, changeable, Easy come and go, and Active.
People who are always impatient, restless. They want to do everything as quick as possible, and they will try their best to do that like they eat fast, they talk fast, etc.
Vata dosha is dry in nature, so higher proportion of dryness is also observed in vata people. They have dry hair, dry skin. They may get skin issues during winter.
Cold is said to be one of the properties of vata, they cannot hold on to cold atmosphere. They intend to stay in warm places. They are more comfortable in warm clothes, food etc.
Vata people’s mind is restless, active. They are fast thinker, their thinking and imagination varies from any topic.
That’s the reason they talk fast, love talking also they get engage in gossips.
Due to active nature, they always tend to do some activities, like listening to songs, watching movies. They can’t just sit ideal and do nothing.
Due to physically underdeveloped nature, vata people get tired easily.
They have irregular appetite and digestion. They may have gas problems.
What is nature of of a vata person?
Vata people may have characteristics like;
Alertness: They are always alert. If there’s any sound or movement, they will quickly go and investigate for its origin. For eg: If there’s any fight or issue, they will go and listen. That’s the reason they have disturbed sleep pattern.
Quickness: Vata people are easy come and easy go. In the memory factor, they have really good grasping power but they forget things quickly. Long term memory is weak in vata.
Changeable: They like to change their nature just like the wind. They try new things and intend to change their ways that’s why they are not focused on one particular thing. They try multiple things, starts one of the things but will quit easily.
Socially active: They love to talk and interact with the society; that’s why they are considered socially active. They make people fall for them and own the entire room by just talking. But due to their changeable nature, they may not have long term relationships. They loves gossips, complaining on things. For eg: If train is late for 2 hours.. they will start talking about it, will complains about it and then immediately shift on sports topic. They love traveling, trying out new things, engaging themselves in activities.. but they get bored easily of them. It’s like if they go to library they will get bore and say let’s go watch a movie.
They don’t have much control on their senses: It’s like if they crave sweet, they immediately want to have it. No control on tongue sense. If they want to listen a song or watch a movie, they will try their every way possible to make that thing happen.
Shortcut people or may say lazy people. Due to lack of their physical strength, they get tired easily and that’s why they cannot finish work in given time. Either they quit or else they try to find shortcut. It’s like they will take small small pieces from everyone and make it a whole for themselves.
Jealousy: They get jealous onto things (materialistic, achievements ) others have and they don’t. It’s like if your friend is having good marks, they won’t do study but will not let others to do it as well. Vata people teases others, they like to put people down.
Going over something If vata people love something they will make every possible effort to make it happen. It’s like managing money to buy 80-90k phone but when they get it, they lose interest easily. If they meet a person, they will do effort for them and will tag them as best friend or soulmate. After few days, they start complaining about it.
They like to make small issues bigger.
It’s not like vata people only have negative things. There 3 gunas present in every human. Satva, raj, and tamas.
Vata people have Raj guna in higher proportion and that’s why they have it in nature, that they can’t survive being silent. They like to do go on. Due to this their desire are more and bigger. They love to be multitasking. They like to be firsts and fast in everything. They get happy fast and gets sad easily. They are moody in nature.
But being fast in everything is not good. They have drastic changes in their behavior.. that’s the reason they have not stable relationships. They get panic easily onto things and fear things. It’s like they read new disease and will start fearing that they may have it, Vata people are just like Squirrels Alert but afraid.
Each constitutional type also exhibits certain pattern in interaction with the external environment. Vata people tend to earn money quickly and also to spend it quickly. Thus, they tend to remain poor.
Note: This information is only for general awareness to various areas of life such as diet and in order to encourage a regimen that will promote good health. Please do not jump on any strong conclusion.
What happens when your Vata dosha gets imbalanaced?
Vata doshaa gets imbalaned due to cold weather, having dry rough and irregular diet and boredom ( vata people can relate). When vata gets imbalanced Pitta and Kapha dosha gets imbalanced too, this results into Dry skin, constipation, dehydration, feeling dizzy or spaced out, gas formation in the abdomen, pains and body ache, tremors and twitches, cold, fever. Behavioral changes may include Irrational, anxious, impatient, restlessness, confused, overthinking, fast talking.
How to balance vata?
Now that you know what are the strengths and weaknesses of having vata as a higher proportion in human body. If you see above changes immediately start bringing control in yourself by controlling the following:
Taste buds: Vata people need to control their taste buds, if they are a sweet tooth then they should hold on. Avoid having sweet foods including daily diet. To maintain balance try having other tastes like sour, bitter, salty, spicy. The body’s physiology will automatically gets resolved. To get a proper diet plan for your prakruti, make sure you visit any ayurveda physician for accurate results.
Emotions: Vata people tends to be multitasking, Control your emotions because too much work will lead you to mental stress and also you will end up physically tired and ill. So do not push too much, if you are getting extremely tired then stop immediately and rest. Channel your emotions by practicing meditation.
Yoga does wonders to human body, for vata people you can do following Asanas:
Vajrasana
Cat stretch
Surya namaskar
Vriksana shava asana
Makar asana
Purn pavanmukta asana
Ujjai breathing.
A balance among the tridosha is extremely necessary for health. Every person will have these 3 energies but the one will have a higher proportion while the other two will have less.
Ayurveda’s purpose is to maintain 3 doshas, it’s not about taking 3 in one line but to know about your specific energy and make the other two balance with the help of Lifestyle and Yoga practices.
Nice information