In Ayurveda, we believe that every living being is composed of 5 elements, also called the “Panch bhoota.” These elements are Earth (prithvi), Water (jala), Fire (agni), Air (vayu), and Ether (akasha).

There exist 3 Ayurveda doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Dosha that govern these 5 prominent body elements. The harmonious balance of these Tridoshas is necessary for keeping the body well-functioning, healthy, and disease-free.

The blog contains everything about Vata Dosha, 1 of the 3 life energies/doshas that define an individual’s constitution. To get information about the other 2 doshas, you can read the Pitta Dosha and Kapha Dosha blogs.

So without any further ado, let’s start.

Understanding Vata Dosha

Vata dosha meaning can be defined as blowing like the wind. The dosha consists of air and space and is responsible for maintaining the same elements in the body. Vata can be described as the pioneer of the three body types, where Pitta and Kapha can’t move without Vata.

This dynamic energy assists and controls multiple bodily rhythms, including blood flow, breathing, waste evacuation, joint movements, and the processing of thoughts in the brain.  

 

Gunas of Vata Dosha (Qualities)

 

Quality name with its English Meaning

Karma (Function in the body)

1.   Ruksha (Rough)

Soshan (Absorption)

2.   Shita (Cool)

Stambhan (Stagnation)

3.   Laghu (light)

Langhan (Lightness)

4.   Sukshma (Subtle)

Vivarana (Dilatation)

5.   Chala (Mobile)

Prerana (Transportation)

6.   Vishada (Non slimy)

Kshalana (Scavenge)

7.   Khara (Coarse)

Lekhana (Reducing body fat)

 

Subdoshas of Vata: It is mainly categorised into 5 sub-doshas, namely;

1/5. Prana Vata: Responsible for governing the functioning of the brain, lungs, and heart.

2/5. Udana Vata: Governs mainly the chest region.

3/5. Vyana Vata: Assists in carrying nutrients and oxygen through the blood, and controls functions like blinking and sweating.

4/5. Samana Vata: Accountable for digestion and assimilation in the body.

5/5. Apana Vata: Major areas are menstruation, defecation, urination, and sexual activities and desires. 

Vata Dosha Characteristics

Physical:

  • Dry, rough, or cool skin

  • Either very tall or short

  • Mostly slim body with visible veins

  • Hypermobile joints

  • Dry and rough hair

  • Brittle nails

Mental: 

  • Creative and perceptive

  • Good short-term memory

  • Multitasking

  • Artistic choices

  • Talk quite quickly

  • Anxious, insecure, and Impulsive.

  • Mostly avoid conflicts

 

Imbalance of Vata Dosha

Whereas an optimal balance of this prominent dosha helps to uplift the overall wellness of the body, an imbalance of Vata dosha can create several health hazards too.

 

Causes of Vata Imbalance:

  1. Following a sedentary and inactive lifestyle.

  2. Exposure to cold, chilly, and windy weather.

  3. Improper sleeping schedules, such as sleeping late at night or sleeping in the daytime. 

  4. Intake of frozen, or cold food items.

  5. Severe stress and worry.

  6. Excessive exercise, swimming, or sports. 

  7. Eating pungent and bitter food items.

 

Symptoms of Vata Imbalance:

  1. Dry and Cracked Skin

  2. Gas, bloating, or constipation

  3. Restlessness or anxiety

  4. Frequent joint pains

  5. Sleeping difficulties

  6. Fatigue or weight loss

  7. Muscle spasm

  8. Poor circulation


Diseases related to Vata Imbalance:

Both physical and mental health concerns may arise out of an imbalanced Vata Dosha:

 

  1. Physical disorders

  • Constipation

  • Bloating and gas

  • Lower back pain

  • Muscle cramps

  • Arthritis

  • Insomnia

  • Sciatica


  1. Mental disorders

  • Anxiety, or panic attacks

  • Migraine

  • Trigeminal neuralgia

  • Tinnitus

  • Depression

  • Tremors

  • Earache

  • Schizophrenia

Beyond being a significant contributor to multiple serious diseases, an aggravated Vata Dosha may result in irregular and painful periods, miscarriages, cracking/popping joints, tingling and numbness, backache, loss of appetite, ADHD, dry croaky voice, sore throat, receding gums, and so on.

Ways to balance Vata Imbalance:

In the Ayurvedic paradigm, multiple ways are available out there through which one can balance Vata Dosha. For ages, our forefathers and ancestors have been using these measures to get rid of their health disorders. It mainly involves:

Usage of Vata-pacifying herbs

The best and most potent way through which one can attain Tridosha balance is by using herbs. Mother Earth has blessed us with innumerable herbs in the form of stems, roots, leaves, flowers, seeds, and so on.

Besides oral consumption and external application, there are also such herbs that work wonders just by their fragrance. Isn’t it magical? Below are the names of the best herbs to balance vata dosha:

  1. Turmeric: Also famous as a super healing herb, this herb can be found in every house quite easily. It helps to balance the nervous system and reduces the risk of anxiety and depression, which eventually contributes to vata balance. 

  2. Fenugreek: The sweet taste and bitter qualities of these tiny seeds help to pacify Vata by supporting skin health and the digestive process, the two prominent areas of Vata.

  3. Ashwagandha: The natural booster of stamina, Ashwagandha helps improve Vata through uplifting reproductive health and sound sleeping patterns. 

  4. Basil: In addition to religious purposes, the usage of basil (tulsi) can also help Vata stimulation through its therapeutic and healing traits.

  5. Green Cardamom: Not just the Vata, but this magical herb is powerful enough to attain Tridosha balance. By reducing excessive vata from the lungs and stomach, it ensures better breathing and soothes respiratory pathways.

  6. Haritaki: This extract of haritaki, when mixed with ghee, or clarified butter, also shows wonderful results in calming down the aggravated Vata in the body.

  7. Ginger: Easy to find, and it works wonderfully when consumed. This warm spice, or we can say herb, ginger, also contains several Vata-balancing properties, such as increasing appetite and strengthening the overall digestive system.

  8. Pippali: The herb contains several Vata-stimulating effects that work amazingly when it comes to reducing abdominal pain and cramps during menstruation. 

  9. Brahmi: Vata is the prominent controller of the nervous system, where the consumption of brahmi is considered medhya (intelligence-improving) and stress-alleviating.

  10.  Saffron: The soothing effects and analgesic properties of saffron also make it one of the best herbs to balance Vata dosha. Not just the Vata, but it is quite beneficial for pacifying Pitta and Kapha dosha also.

  11. Rosemary: It helps to direct the Prana vayu (air element) through its healing effects and wellness-optimising nature. In addition to Vata balance, it shows wonderful results in boosting skin and hair health.

  12. Dashamula: This pungent herb, along with its incredible effects, is quite helpful in the treatment of multiple Vata disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, migraine, constipation, and weight loss. 

 

Vata-friendly diet

Every bite of the food you consume, or sip the beverages, delivers an effect on your body, and so on Tridoshas. To keep Vata under control, or manage an aggravated Vata, Vaidyas (Ayurvedic practitioners) suggest individuals opt for a balancing Vata dosha diet.

The food with Thandi Taasir (cold nature) is advised to be avoided, and warm foods and beverages are prioritized. Additionally, foods that are raw, highly processed, bitter, or contain caffeine and nicotine should be avoided completely. Below is the Vata-friendly diet chart that can be followed:

Have it:

  • Warm soups and vegetarian stews.

  • Cow’s ghee (1-2 spoons only)

  • Buttermilk (1 glass a day)

  • Herbal drinks of ginger, tulsi, turmeric, chamomile, cinnamon, etc.

  • Boiled and properly cooked veggies. Carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, zucchini, lauki, yams, and pumpkin can be good options when it comes to pacifying Vata naturally. 

  • Fruits like berries, mangoes, peaches, avocados, coconuts, and apples.

Avoid it:

  • Raw vegetables and salads.

  • All types of cabbage, kale, cauliflower, kohlrabi, broccoli, etc.

  • Foods with freezing effects, such as ice cream, cold drinks, and frozen desserts. 

  • Foods that are hard to digest, such as deep-fried foods and non-vegetarian food.

Yoga asanas for Vata balance

Yoga is way more beneficial than it simply appears. It is the natural practice of rejuvenating the mind, body, and soul. For ages, our ancestors have discovered multiple such asanas that can help you boost your overall body wellness and keep Tridoshas in balance. For Vata dosha, the best yoga asanas are as follows: 

1. Uttanasana: That’s the best vata-stimulating pose, which is also known as the standing forward bend pose. By governing the air element in the body, it increases the body’s light, airy energy, and overall digestive health. One can also grab the benefits of its therapeutic effect to reduce depression and anxiety. 

How to do it?

  • Firstly stand into Samasthiti where your legs join together. 

  • Now, lift your arms towards the ceiling. 

  • With an exhalation, slowly bend down until your fingers touch the floor. 

  • Now this is the Ardh-Uttanasana position. Make sure you are not looking at the floor or feet. Your vision should be forward only.

  • At this point, your back would be in a concave posture. 

  • Now slowly, take your fingertips towards the back side of the floor, without moving your back.

  • Finally, place your palms on the floor, and bend your head down. 

  • After a small pause, slowly inhale while moving your head up, and coming to the normal posture- Samasthiti.

2. Ardha Matsyendrasana: In English, it is called “half-fish pose” or “Half spinal twist.” Performing this yoga pose can result in a long list of therapeutic effects, such as improved flexibility, a strong spine, reduced constipation, reduced RA levels, and controlled blood sugar levels. 

How to do it?  

  • Sit comfortably on a mat and bend your right leg to place the sole of your right foot on the other side of your left knee. 

  • Now, with an inhale, uplift the left hand, and while exhaling, twist and bring the arm around the knee. 

  • Try to catch your right foot, ankle, or calf muscle. 

  • Look back from over your right shoulder. 

  • You are in Ardha Matsyendrasana posture now, stay the same for a couple of breaths, and then slowly release the posture. 

  • Repeat the same process with the other leg.

 

3. Tadasana: Called the Mountain pose in English, Tadasana is yet a wonderful classical pose that can show promising results in Vata balancing.

Starting from improving the body posture, and aligning the spine into its natural curves, and enhancing the flexibility of the joints, performing this asana always helps. 

How to do it?

  1. Firstly stand upright with your feet hip-width apart along with arms straight at your sides. 

  2. Now take a deep breath and raise your arms in front of you up to your shoulders, locking your fingers together.

  3. Gently, rotate your wrists outwards, and then inhale and lift your arms above your head.

  4. When you lift your arms, also lift your heels off the floor and try to balance your weight on your toes.

  5. Take a pause in this posture for around 10-30 seconds, and then with an exhale release your fingers, and place your heels back on the floor. 

4. Paschimottanasana: In Ayurveda, there is a specific relevance of this asana in balancing Vata Dosha in the body. In English, it is called the “west stretching pose” which generally helps strengthen the spine, boosting digestive health, regulating the pancreas, and awakening digestive fire. 

How to do it?

  1. Sit comfortably on the mat placing your legs straight in front of you.

  2. Keep your back completely straight and place your palms on the floor to the sides of your hips.

  3. While gazing at a point to the front, you are supposed to make sure your feet are together and your toes are touching each other while pointing up. 

  4. Lift your hands a bit to the side of your chest where your palms are facing down.

  5. To get leverage bend a bit back, and then move forward with an exhalation to grab the big toes.

  6. Now head down towards the legs, and if possible try to touch your elbows to the floor.

  7. Take a pause for 10-20 seconds and slowly release the posture while inhaling deeply.

5. Dhanurasana: Creating pressure on the pelvis, and strengthening the back, especially the lower regions, this is how this yoga posture helps in the management of aggravated Vata, and the complications associated with it.

How to do it?

  1. First of all, lie down on your abdomen.

  2. Bend your legs towards your back, and uplift your hands to hold your ankles.

  3. Now inhale and slowly lift your thighs, head, and eventually the chest to the maximum you can while staying comfortable.

  4. Join the ankles, gaze upwards, and breathe normally.

  5. You will be in a bow position, where your whole body weight will be on your lower abdomen.

  6. After a couple of breaths, come back to the normal posture.

Panchakarma

That’s another prominent branch of holistic healing. It involves multiple but mainly 5 treatment procedures, which are commonly called 5 KARMAs. The names of these 5 primary Panchakarma therapies are:

  1. Vamana

  2. Virechana

  3. BASTI

  4. Nasya

  5. Raktamokshana

 

Best for Vata: Out of these 5 eminent restorative therapies, Basti Karma has been proven as one of the most effective ways to balance Vata Dosha. Here the procedure involves the administration of herbal ointments and mixtures as an enema through the rectum.

Basti Karma for Vata Dosha Treatment can further be sub-classified into two, namely;

  1. Anuvasama Basti (Enema with oil) 

  2. Niruha Basti (Enema with herbal decoction such as honey, salts, herbal churanas, etc.) 

Takeaway

Maintaining an active lifestyle, along with healthy dietary choices, will keep all Tridoshas in balance, we are sure of it. But if you are a person with Vata Prakriti, or there is an imbalance of Vata in the body, following the Ayurvedic tips and suggestions mentioned above will surely help you out.

 

Article By:

Dr Sharda Ayurveda

At Dr. Sharda Ayurveda emphasis is made on treating the patients with the power of Ayurveda and traveling along with them in the path of natural and safe healing. The satisfaction and recovery of our patients is our utmost priority.