Vata Dosha

Vata has the attributes of dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, clear, and astringent taste. It is present throughout the body and is predominant in the colon (pakvashaya), pelvic cavity (kati), thighs (sakthi), head (murdhni), bones (asthi), ears (srotra), and skin (tvak). Vata has affinity for and concentrates in the head, throat, diaphragm, small intestine, belly button, pelvic girdle, bones, thighs, colon, and heart.

The most important site of vata is pakvashaya, the colon. When vata is aggravated, a person develops constipation, lower backache, pain in the thighs, ringing in the ears, aches and pains in bones and joints, and tingling and numbness in the skin. Most vata diseases are treated by injecting oil in the rectum—when the colon is lubricated with oil, vata calms down.

Vata is specifically related to shabdendriya (the auditory pathways) and sparshendriya (the tactile pathways). The ears are constantly open to the air for hearing sound, and the skin is always exposed to the air for feeling touch.

The important functions of vata include: all physical movements; maintenance of life; communication; governing the mind, sensory perception, and motor functions including speech and muscular coordination; movement of thoughts, feelings, and nerve impulses; respiration; heart function and circulation; ingestion; peristalsis and enzyme secretion; assimilation and absorption; elimination of urine, feces, and sweat; menstruation and delivery; orgasm; cellular respiration and division; hearing; touch; clarity; creativity; and joy.

The Sanskrit term vata is related to the verb vah, meaning vehicle, to carry or to move. Vata is the principle of mobility that regulates all activity in the body, from how many thoughts one might have during a given period to how efficiently food moves through the intestines. Vata is responsible for joy, happiness, creativity, speech, sneezing, and elimination. Vata is in charge of the vital life essence, prana — when vata (prana) leaves the body, life ceases.

Vata has the qualities of dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile (erratic), and clear, with an astringent taste and brownish-blackish colors. Physically, vata persons have light, flexible bodies and big, protruding teeth. They have small, recessed, dry eyes. With irregular appetite and thirst, they often experience digestive and malabsorption problems. Vata types tend to be delicate in health and may have few or no children.

In behavior, vata individuals are easily excited — alert and quick to act without much thinking. They have good imaginations and enjoy daydreaming. Vata individuals are loving people but may love someone out of fear or loneliness. Fears of darkness, heights, and enclosed spaces are common. Their faith is flexible and ready to change, but changes do not necessarily last long. They may often move furniture or residence to keep from feeling bored, seeking constant action. They make good money but spend it on trifles and have difficulty saving.