Vata Dosha is the energetic force in the body that is made up of the Air (Vayu) and Space (Akasha) elements. It is said to govern all movement in the body, including circulation, respiration, elimination, perception, and sensation. Being of Air and Space, the qualities Vata possesses are rough, dry, light, mobile, clear, subtle, and cold. Hence, an individual with a predominant Vata constitution or prakruti, as it is known in Ayurveda, will also possess these qualities. For example, Vata individuals often have low body weight (light quality), dry skin (dry quality), restless mind (mobile quality), and cold hands and feet (cold quality).
Vata individuals are often quick in thought and have a hard time staying focused on any particular task. They are quite imaginative and creative beings, but their restless minds may get in the way of accomplishing their dreams. Like their overactive mind, their metabolism is also overactive, meaning Vata individuals tend to be underweight by nature. They are often extremely tall or otherwise very petite. Vata can be quite irregular, and it may manifest as an asymmetry in the body, such as uneven eyes, a crooked nose or crooked limbs. Since dry is another quality of Vata, an individual may have extremely dry, rough, flaky skin, as well as dry, kinky hair.
Vata is said to be mobile by nature, and a person of a Vata constitution may find themselves in constant travel, relocating or restless otherwise. They may feel the need to change jobs, partners or paths often as well. Since change is so predominant to Vata, constant movement will actually create imbalance for these individuals, and in fact, routine and stability is what they really need. Without this regularity, they will continue on this restless path and will find it hard to ever stand still and be content.
Emotionally, Vata individuals will tend toward anxiety, worry, and fear when in distress. Vata’s main home is in the colon, so individuals with a Vata imbalance may experience gas, bloating or constipation. Both their appetite and digestion tend to be irregular. Vata individuals will do best when eating a diet of mainly well cooked, warm, nourishing foods, such as oatmeal, porridges, soups, stews, kitchari, meat broths, dals, basmati rice and cooked veggies. Raw, dry and cold foods should be avoided.
Common Signs of a Vata Imbalance
- Constipation
- Gas and bloating
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty sleeping throughout the night
- High anxiety, worry, and fear
- Quickly fluctuating emotions
- Restless mind
- Extra sensitive nervous system
- Dry, rough skin and hair
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Poor circulation (cold hands and feet)
- Popping or cracking joints
- Arrhythmia
- Menstrual Irregularities
- Low back pain
- Sciatica
- Malabsorption
- Emaciation
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Hi Danielle,
I tried taking the dosha quiz twice, but it ends up in an error everytime. How else can I find my dosha type?
Thank you
Hi Sahib,
I apologize for the error in the submission of our quiz. I am happy to say that despite this message we did receive your quiz and I just sent out your results. Please let me know if you did not receive them as they can go to spam at times.
Thank you for taking the time to take our dosha quiz! It is quite important to know your body type in order to decide the best diet and lifestyle practices to adopt. I hope you find some benefit with the results! Please contact me anytime with questions.
Namaste,
Danielle
Hi Danielle,
Thank you so much for what you do :)) As of yet, I have not received the results. thank you for looking in to it. Good Day!!
Sahib.
Hi Sahib,
I had sent the email early this morning so you should have received it by now. I just resent the results again. Please check your spam or promotions box if you still do not see it in your inbox. Unfortunately, our email address often gets flagged as spam. If this still does not work, let me know and we will continue to trouble shoot!
Namaste,
Danielle
Got IT! thank you so much. I am suffering from tinnitus and hyperacusis since the past few months and was left with no answers after multiple Dr visits, when I came across Ayurveda and possibility of Vata imbalance causing multiple health problems. I am glad for you and your website in this current state of helplessness I feel in solving this riddle and getting back to health. Wish we had Ayurveda practitioners in town to get more insight into my health. Would you have any advise for these conditions? I am focusing on tridoshic remedies as of now due to the quiz results.
Thank you again,
Sahib
Hi Sahib,
Yes, the tinnitus and hyperacusis are both Vata issues and therefore a Vata-balancing diet and lifestyle should be applied. The most direct treatment will be to use a warm ear oil and apply it to the ears. This is called karna purna in Ayurveda. I would use a Vata-reducing ear oil such as a sesame based Vacha Oil for this. Make sure to use an organic oil without any essential oils added however. If Vacha Oil is not available plain sesame oil can be used, however the Vacha will be much more effective. Apply the oil each night at 1-2 drops per ear. After this application, massage around the outer ears with a Vata-reducing medicated oil. Also do a larger pour weekly, where you apply the oil into the entire ear canal, lay on the opposite side and allow the oil to sit for 5-10 minutes before rolling over and allowing the oil to drain. Repeat on the other side.
I hope this finds you well:)
Namaste,
Danielle
Thank you Danielle,
I followed the larger pour for 1 week with organic sesame oil and then stopped, not knowing if I could continue longer. I will follow your advise with Vacha oil. How long can I continue this practice. I started administering Prana Nasya today, that I purchased from you. Is it ok considering the spring season and since the quiz results I got were Pitta:3, Vata:2 Kapha:2? Thank you and Good Day!
Hi Sahib,
Yes, the Prana Nasya is tridoshic and will be a great option for your body type and the spring season! Although it is in a warming sesame oil base, many of the herbs are fairly cooling to help neutralize the overall heating/cooling energy of the formula. It will be a great addition for treating the tinnitus as well.
Namaste,
Danielle
Would you be able to direct me to the Vacha oil that I can use as ear drops, please. Also, how long can I continue to do the ear drops? Can Prana Nasya be used in ears?
Hi Sahib,
I am not sure of a reliable, high quality source for the Vacha ear oil. We will be offering an organic ear oil in the near future with Vacha as a main ingredient, but it is not available at this time. The Prana Nasya would be beneficial for the ears in regards of the herbs, although due to the addition of the essential oils, I would use caution and only apply a drop or two per ear. I would ultimately recommend finding an oil specific for the ears for longterm use. I hope this helps!
Namaste,
Danielle
Thank you Danielle,
Please let me know whenever a Vacha ear oil becomes available.
Thank you.
also would you recommend the detox kit for my vata-pitta constitution and the ongoing tinnitus and hyperacusis with mild chronic dizziness?
Hi Sahib,
Due to the Vata nature of your health concerns, I would avoid any strong detox program at this time. It seems like it would be more beneficial to treat the Vata imbalance and strengthen the system before you will be ready for too much cleansing. If a mild cleansing is needed then a palliating therapy should be applied which is much more gentle. This would include sweating, oiliation, kitchari diet, herbal teas, and mildly cleansing herbs that do not provoke Vata (haritaki, triphala, triphala ghrita, guduchi, etc). The basti therapy can also be applied using Dashamul tea which is both cleansing and essential for reducing Vata. This is just general advice of course. It may be best to get a full consultation with a knowledgeable practitioner in order to get more individualized recommendations.
Namaste,
Danielle
Hi Danielle,
I found myself predominant to VATA,
issue is with me that if I stay hungry gas is generated either in stomach or intestine.
that gas move towards right part of my head and it gives me severe headache.
This is my major issue. even I am small bone and low weight. but I want permanent solution of this headache.
I think this is Indian Technique of Ayurveda, right ?
if you can help.
Thanks
Hi Piyush,
Thank you for your question. I am sorry you are experiencing this discomfort. If hunger is causing the gas to accumulate, it will be very important to avoid going too long between eating. Ideally you can eat three meals daily, about 5 hours between each other, but take a small, healthy snack about 2 to 2.5 hours after the previous meal.
With the Vata (wind) moving in the opposite direction and causing the headaches, it will be important to make use of anuloma herbs and spices. You can drink CCF tea or Ginger and Ajwain Tea between meals regularly to help regulate the flow of Vata in the system. Taking a digestive stimulant before meals should help as well.
Finally, I recommend to perform a Dashamul basti (enema) weekly to help pull the Vata downward.
If you are able to do these practices consistently, the Vata should be regulated and the headaches should be reduced.
Please let me know if anything comes up and I will be happy to help!
Namaste,
Danielle
Hi Danielle,
i am dominant vata person
tried many remedies to gain weight
can you recommend some tips to increase weight
Hi Suhail,
Thank you for this great question! I too experienced excessive weight loss after breastfeeding and was struggling to gain weight. It took a bit of time, but I found that a mixture of increasing healthy fats (olive oil, ghee, avocado, coconut, nuts, seeds, dairy, etc) and lean protein (seeds, nuts, quinoa, legumes, eggs, etc) plus incorporating more weight-based exercises really helped. I also eat bone broth daily and salmon roe 2 to 3 times a week. I have recently tried a high-quality whey protein powder that is made from 100% grassfed whey with no other ingredients. I take one scoop each morning in coconut water since protein is so important at this time of day. I also use recipes such as Ojas Balls, Ojas Drink, or Seed Shakes several days a week.
In regards to weight-based exercises, I generally do light weights at home with leg and arm exercises. Body weight exercises are great too. I often will use a suitable and enjoyable YouTube exercise video to follow and do 30 minutes about three times a week.
Between these two changes, I finally gained all of the unwanted weight I lost through breastfeeding (about 5 years ago). And the best part is it was in a healthy manner rather than simply gaining fat. I feel much stronger and have more resilience than when I was underweight. I also sleep much more soundly.
I hope this may help you too! Please let me know if any questions come up.
Many blessings,
Danielle