Vata is made up of the two elements space and air.

The characteristics of Vata dosha: dry and rough; cool; light--lacking weight; very tiny, penetrating molecules always moving; broad, unlimited, unbounded--akash means unbounded space; and rough .

People with more Vata in their make up tend to be thin, with a slender frame and important joints, delicate skin that is naturally dry, and dry voluminous hair. They are quick and lively in thought, speech and action, and make friends easily. There is an element of airiness to their step, a quality of lightness in their laughter. Change is usually their second name. They are light sleepers and settle towards warm environments. Creativity and enthusiasm are hallmarks of balanced Vata.

If your prakriti or original make-up has more Vata in it, you will exhibit many of the characteristics and qualities of Vata when you are in balance than people who have more Pitta or Kapha in their make-up. And that's natural. But if the qualities become extreme, or more pronounced than usual at a given time, then the Vata in you has in all likelihood become aggravated or imbalanced, and needs to be brought back into balance. And if a predominantly Kapha or Pitta person starts exhibiting many Vata qualities, that indicates a Vata imbalance in that Kapha or Pitta body type. In both cases, it is then time to follow a Vata-balancing diet and lifestyle to help restore the level of Vata in the physiology to its normal proportion.

Factors that can cause Vata dosha to increase in the physiology include a diet that contains too many dry or raw foods, over-consumption of ice-cold beverages, exposure to cold dry winds, a variable daily routine, too much travel, and mental overexertion.

Vata dosha governs flow and motion in the body. Answer these questions to see if you need to balance Vata.

• Is your skin dry, rough, thin?
• Are you underweight?
• Is your mind constantly in a whirl?
• Do you worry incessantly?
• Are you constantly restless or agitated?
• Do you experience constipation?
• Do you suffer from insomnia?
• Do you suffer from vaginal dryness?
• Do you have spells of forgetfulness?
• Do you experience discomfort in the joints?
• Are you easily fatigued

Vata- Balancing Diet

• Eat larger quantities of food, but not more than you can digest easily.
• Dairy
  All dairy products pacify Vata. Always boil milk before you drink it, and drink it warm. Don't drink milk with a full meal.
• Sweeteners
  All sweeteners are good (in moderation) for pacifying Vata.
• Grains
  Rice and wheat are very good. Reduce intake of barley, corn, millet, buckwheat, rye and oats.
• Fruits
  Favor sweet, sour, or heavy fruits, such as oranges, bananas, avocados, grapes, cherries, peaches, melons, berries, plums, pineapples, mangos and papayas. Reduce dry or light fruits such as apples, pears, pomegranates, cranberries, and dried fruits.
• Vegetables
  Beets, cucumbers, carrots, asparagus and sweet potatoes are good. They should be cooked, not raw. The following vegetables are acceptable in moderate quantities if they are cooked, especially with Ghee or oil and Vata reducing spices: peas, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, zucchini and potatoes. It's better to avoid sprouts and cabbage.
• Spices
  Cardamom, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, salt, cloves, mustard seed and small quantities of black pepper are acceptable.
• All nuts are good.
• Beans
  Reduce all beans, except for tofu and mung dahl.
• Oils
  All oils reduce Vata.