The Vata Body Type

According to Ayurveda, a Vata body type is one with a primary influence of the air element.  The attributes of air are: cold, dry, mobile, and sharp.  These attributes play a big part in the physical characteristics of a Vata body type.  The dry and often irregular quality of air creates specific physical characteristics in the Vata body type.

Vata's Physical Traits

Personality Traits of Vatas - creative thinkers, communicative, lively, enthusastic, imaginative

Vatas must Guard Against - tendency towards anxiety, nervous disorders, constipation, fatigue, dryness and senstivity to cold

 What aggravates Vata?     -  The infuence of the air element gives Vata types the need to stay grounded.  Irregular routines, TV, excessive travel, excessive thinking, cold weather and over stimulation have the capacity to aggravate this body type.  Vatas must guard against imbalance by avoiding or reducing such activities.

How do I know if I have a Vata imbalance? - You don't have to be a Vata body type to have a Vata imbalance.  Vata imbalance is characterized by feelings of anxiousness, panic, fear or nervousness.  Muscle twitches and spasms, palpitations and a tendency to fidget are signs of excess Vata.  Frequent dry, chapped skin, cold hands and feet reveal excess of the air element in the body.  The dryness of Vata results in hard stools, constipation and bloating.

Vata imbalance in our Society - The fast pace of our world today creates a perfect environment for Vata imbalance.  Moving in automobiles, airplanes, subways and other vehicles keeps us from being grounded and maintaining our calm within the storm.  The continuous stream of information and communication coming at us through cell phones, computers, televisions, video games, etc. keep us constantly over stimulated.  Eating on the run, while watching TV or at the computer is common rather than taking the time to nourish and fuel the body in a relaxed way so that digestion can occur with ease.

Thankfully, Ayurveda offers it's own remedies to balance out the excess Vata in our internal and external world.

What balances Vata? - Vatas are creative thinkers and thrive well with a routine to keep themselves focused.  They should oil their bodies with sesame oil and warming essential oils to remedy their cold, dry, tendencies.  In general, Vatas do better in warm, tropical climates like Florida.  To relieve Vatas tendency towards constipation, bulk and tonic laxatives like flax seed and psyllium are beneficial.  Vatas thrive in work environments that allow them to be creative.  A well-balanced Vata takes time to rest and replenish.

Living the Balanced Vata Life - a quick guide to balanced living as a Vata body type.

Vata's Healing Home - Avoid living in crowded or cluttered homes.  Simple, earthy interior decor to bring nature indoors is best.

Morning Activities - Grounding activities like meditation and yoga.

Meals - Keep meals small and frequent.  Drink warm, herbal teas.  Vatas require warm, cooked foods with spices for easy digestion.

Personal Style - Vatas do well with warm colors like yellow, orange, red, gold and green.  They resonate wtih gemstones like peridot, yellow sapphire, cat eye and jade.  Gold, brass and yellow metals suit Vatas best.

Occupation - Vatas thrive in work environments that allow them to be creative and control their schedule.  Examples: tour guides, artists, musicians, teachers, actors, designers, counselors and gardeners.

Bedtime - Hot calming baths before bed are great for Vatas.  Sleep is important to Vatas, best to be in bed by 10pm

Eating the Right Foods - Proper diet is essential for all body types.  Vatas require foods that are sweet, sour and salty.  Hearty grains, juicy fruits and root vegetables are best.  Avoid dry foods that increase Vata.  Vatas do better with Herbal teas as opposed to caffeinated beverages that over stimulate the mind and body.

Ayurvedic Therapies to Lower Vata

Massage - Manual therapy to soften muscle tissue and improve well-being.  Massage enables the often overstimulated Vata body-mind to relax.

Shirodhara - A focused stream of warm oil poured onto the forehead to produce a state of peace and calm for the over-thinking Vata mind.

Yoga - A grounding mind-body fitness regimen that integrates breath with stretching and postures to align the spine, focus the mind and improve visceral function.

Mantra Therapy - Vibrational healing and sound therapy that opens the chakras and improves well being.  Facilitates internal focus, mental clarity and calming of emotions.

Pancha Karma - Holistic detoxification and rejuvenation program for deep transformation of body, mind and spirit.

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Click on the links below for products to support the following Vata Conditions:

Anxiety	Cracking Joints
Constipation	Fatigue