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.
