Vata types tend to be thin and lanky. They are very mentally and physically active and enjoy creative endeavors, meeting new people, and traveling to new places. When they are balanced, vatas are flexible, have lively imaginations, and are original thinkers. When imbalanced they can get anxious, ungrounded, and can seem “flaky” about fulfilling commitments, sticking to a routine, and completing projects. They tend to run cold and dry and enjoy warm, humid weather. It’s common for vata types to experience cold hands and feet, constipation, dry skin, and cracking joints. The influence of the air element in their constitution causes their energy, mood, and appetite to fluctuate dramatically. For this reason vata types often fail to eat and sleep regularly, swinging from eating heavy foods to ground and sedate themselves, or ingesting stimulants like coffee and sugar to sustain intense physical or mental activity. Insomnia and low immunity are very common problem for the sensitive vata person.
How to balance Vata Dosha
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To balance a Vata dosha adopt a daily routine with regular times for eating, sleeping, and working.
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A daily Abhyanga, or Ayurvedic self-massage with warm sesame oil
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Keeping warm, no matter what the weather. Try warm baths, warm drinks, and warm clothes
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A gentle exercise routine, such as a calm, grounding form of yoga, tai chi, qi gong, walking, or swimming.
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Vata pacifying diet includes:
Hot soups & stews; hot fluids that are not cooler than room temperature, ghee, nuts, avocado, coconut, olives, buttermilk, cheese, eggs, whole milk, wheat; moist foods like melons, berries, zucchini, squash and yogurt; warm spices like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, flaxseeds etc.; sweet forms the foundation of a vata pacifying diet so enjoy sweet foods (in moderation)
