Vata Dosha, commonly translated into “that which moves things”, is driven by the Air and Ether (space) elements. Its force in nature is the Wind. If you have a dominance of Vata dosha, movement and change are characteristics of your nature.  Vata dosha is characterized as being cold, light, dry, moving, quick, clear, and subtle. But the same Vata Dosha when out of balance can create equal chaos if not taken proper care of. 

In the body, it governs the nervous network, the transportation of fluids, blood, lymph, hormones, and foods to the digestive tract. It controls every single movement of the body, from blinking to breathing, everything. In the mind, it governs brainpower and aids in the transmission of information.

The main location also known as the seat of the dosha is in the Colon, the Large Intestine, and Rectum but keeps circulating throughout the body. 

Are you a Vata Dominant? Take Our Dosha Quiz to find out. 

Understanding a Vata Imbalance

Ever felt out of focus, disoriented at work, anxious for no necessary reason, or just restless throughout the day? If yes, then well these are some clear examples of a Vata Imbalance. 

Vata is the energy of movement, so when Vata dosha goes out of balance you may experience symptoms like breathlessness or rapid breathing, due to the sudden imbalance of the movement of your lungs. Tremors and Twitches due to the imbalance of your neural network. Hypertension or low blood pressure due to unnatural pumping of your heart muscle, etc. Get the idea? 

Physical Symptoms

Physically some clear examples of Vata imbalance may manifest as:

• Constipation, 
• Dry skin and hair, 
• Gas and distention, 
• Hampered metabolism and weight loss. 
• Hampered sleep, constant headaches. 
• Tremors, 
• Dehydration, 
• Body ache, difficulty in walking, or general movements 
• Loss of strength and frequent fatigue
• Loss of Vitality, etc. 

Behavioral Symptoms

Mentally Vata imbalance may look like, feeling spaced out, Loss of focus, confusion, fearfulness, the requirement of constant reassurances, loss of confidence, and feel ungrounded, etc. 

When Vata goes out of balance is not checked at the right time, there are higher chances that it may also corrupt Pitta and Kapha doshas along with it.

The Triggers: Reasons for Vata to go out of balance 

Vata dosha is characterized as being cold, light, dry, moving, quick, clear, and subtle. Ayurveda believes in the concept of Like increases Like, so anything and everything that increases the basic natural qualities of Vata will cause an increase of the dosha in the body whereas, anything that decreases these qualities will result in depletion of the dosha in the body. 

Remember, Stability is a state of balance. So an increase or decrease of the dosha is called and known as a clear imbalance. 

Some dietary factors that aid in Vata imbalance are :

• Cold, chilled, overnight, and stale meals hamper your Agni and create a Vata imbalance. 
• Dry, Raw, uncooked meals are heavy to digest and can lead to the formation of Aama, thus leading to a Vata imbalance. 
• Chilled Iced cold drinks diminish your metabolism and cause the dosha to go out of balance. 

Some behavioral factors that aid in Vata imbalance :

• Staying in cold weather/temperature for too long.
• Being exposed to strong, dry air. Take a bike ride for example. 
• Strenuous heavy workouts.
• Constant stress, anger, anxiety, and dry emotions may fuel the imbalance leading to deep unhealthy manifestations. 

How to balance Vata Dosha 

Vata is a highly active Dosha, and when out of balance, the individual is likely to feel stressed out and exhausted. 

Creating a daily routine is a key component of the Ayurvedic lifestyle and is vital when Vata is provoked. A routine creates several base points throughout the day that serve the individual in grounding its energy and calming the nervous system.

• Less is more

Vata embodies the energy of movement, which in excess can feel like “over-tasking” rather than healthy “multitasking”, which may lead to burnout. It is important to remind yourself, that less is more and that in keeping a simple schedule, you are less likely to burn out. People with dominant Vata Dosha should let go of unnecessary tasks throughout the day, to create space to slow down and make better decisions, which leads to balancing Vata and preventing stress.

• Move, without overdoing it

When Vata is high, it is better to go about our physical activity in a slow and intentional manner. Intense exercise can be quite Vata aggravating. People with dominant Vata Dosha are recommended to partake in forms of exercises that are relatively slow, gentle, and grounding exercises like yoga, gentle stretching, walking, gentle cycling, swimming, Tai Chi, and others. The best times of the day to exercise are between 6-10 a.m. and 6-10 p.m. when Kapha dominates the atmosphere.

• Rest is inevitable

Whenever Vata is concerned, getting adequate rest is very important. Allowing moments of relaxation through the day can be deeply rejuvenating and Vata-balancing, as an excess of Vata can result in feeling tired and exhausted. Take time to pamper yourself by taking a hot bath, having a massage, or some yoga exercises.

• Get oiled up

The Ayurvedic practice of Abhyanga, or self-oil massage, is recommended in everyday routine. It is a very calming, nourishing, and stabilizing practice. It is preferable to massage oneself in the morning before bathing. Massaging the body helps people with dominant Vata Dosha to feel calm, especially when using herbal oils. If massaging the whole body is not feasible, at least oil the feet, hands, and ears before bed to ground oneself.

• Nadi Shodhana

Yogic breathwork or pranayama is a powerful way to balance both the mind and the physical body. It is a slow, energy equalizing, and deep Vata balancing practice that reduces stress and enhances the ability to concentrate. If you can fit in even a couple of minutes of Nadi Shodhana in the morning, you will likely feel its effect throughout the whole day.  

Tips for Creating a Vata Balancing Diet

Foods that balance Vata consists of mostly freshly cooked and whole foods. It is preferable to add salt and spices to help prime digestion. With a Vata dominant Dosha, one should avoid junk food or having foods that have a pungent, bitter, and astringent taste. Drinking plenty of liquids and avoiding soft drinks is also highly recommended. It is also recommended to avoid eating when nervous, anxious, agitated, afraid, immersed in deep thoughts, or distracted. Vata dominant people should eat three to four light meals a day at a regular time, with a gap of at least two hours between meals. Skipping meals and overeating are not recommended. 

Recommended Vata foods include:

• Fruits and vegetables: avocado, sweet potato, spinach, cooked carrots, caramelized onion, zucchini, mangos, oranges, dates, grapefruit, guava, peaches, etc.
• Dairy and fats/oils: yogurt, soft cheeses, boiled whole milk, sour cream, olive oil, sesame oil, etc.
• Nuts, seeds, and legumes: nut butter, soaked or salted nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
• Grains: rice, quinoa, whole wheat, oats, etc.
• Sweeteners: maple syrup, honey (in moderation), etc.
• Beverages: room temperature water, sweet and sour fruit juices, tulsi tea, vanilla tea, etc.

Vata is the most creative, most mobile, and most active of all the doshas when in the state of balance, So use the above tips very wisely and thoroughly to create a sense of balance and stability to the wandering and ever-active mind. Stay Warm, Stay Happy and Stay Balanced. 

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