Vata Dosha

Prakruti is our basic body constitution. It’s a bit like our DNA. At the time of conception, each person’s combination & proportion of Vata, Pitta & Kapha is determined according to genetics, diet, lifestyle and the current emotions of the parents. Essentially the dormant Doshas in the parents combine to form the constitution of the child. The unique and specific combination of the three Doshas at the time of conception is called ones Prakruti. Our Prakruti, like our DNA, does not change during our lifetime. However, as life goes on and conditions change - due to weather, diet, fatigue, lifestyle, emotions, stress etc - the balance of the Doshas in our body and mind also change. This altered state of the Doshas is called our Vikriti or current state of health. When people come for a consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner, this is what we are most concerned with as it is only through designing a plan to bring the body back into balance that we can get back to our Prakruti and enjoy that state of health.

As we are transitioning out of Summer in into Autumn, I’d like to look specifically at Vata Prakruti. Many of you who have a Vata dominant Prakruti will resonate with this.

Vata dosha is composed of the elements Space & Air and, as such, many of the characteristics are related to lightness and dryness . Have a read through and see if any of these feel like you:

Characteristics of Vata Constitution

·       Creativity, mental quickness;

·       Highly imaginative;

·       Quick to learn & grasp new knowledge, but also quick to forget;

·       Sexually, easily excitable, but quickly satiated;

·       Slenderness, lightest of the three body types;

·       Talk & walk quickly;

·       Tendency toward cold, dry hands & feet, discomfort in cold climates;

·       Excitable, lively, fun personality;

·       Changeable moods;

·       Irregular daily routine;

·       Variable appetite & digestive efficiency;

·       High energy in short bursts, tendency to tire easily & to over exert;

·       Full of joy & enthusiasm when in balance;

·       Respond to stress with fear, worry & anxiety, especially when out of balance;

·       Tendency to act on impulse;

·       Often have racing, disjointed thoughts;

·       Generally, have dry skin & dry hair and don’t perspire much;

·       Typical health problems include headaches, hypertension, dry coughs, sore throats, ear ache, anxiety, irregular heart rhythms, muscle spasms, lower back pain, constipation, abdominal gas, diarrhoea, nervous stomach, menstrual cramps, premature ejaculation & other sexual dys-functions, arthritis.  Most neurological disorders & also pain in the body are related to Vata imbalance. 

 Physical Features

People of vata constitution are generally physically underdeveloped. Their chests are flat and their veins and muscle tendons are visible. The complexion is brown, the skin is cold, rough, dry and cracked. 

Vata people generally are either above averagely tall or  below averagely short, with thin frames which reveal prominent joints and bone-ends because of poor muscle development. The hair is curly and scanty, the eyelashes are thin and the eyes lusterless. The eyes may be sunken, small, dry, and active. The nails are rough and brittle. The shape of the nose is bent and turned-up.

Physiologically, the appetite and digestion are variable. Vata people love sweet, sour and salty tastes and like hot drinks. The production of urine is scanty and the faeces are dry, hard and small in quantity. They have a tendency to perspire less than other constitutional types. Their sleep may be disturbed and they will sleep less than the other types. Their hands and feet are often cold.

Psychologically, they are characterized by short memory but quick mental understanding. They will understand something immediately, but will soon forget it. They have little willpower, tend toward mental instability and possess little tolerance, confidence or boldness. Their reasoning power is weak and these people are nervous, fearful and afflicted by much anxiety.

Vata people tend to earn money quickly and also to spend it quickly. 

To pacify Vata, especially during Autumn & early winter which is Vata season, read my blog on Ayurveda for Autumn: