Vata is a dosha that is easily imbalanced and can cause a wide range of physical, emotional, and mental symptoms. Excess, or deficient, Vata can leave us feeling depleted and lacking ojas which is our vitality.

If unchecked, Vata can also imbalance Pitta and Kapha. A classic Vata imbalance is someone who’s nervous system is over-taxed which eventually leads to constant anxiety, worry, and digestive symptoms.

Vata’s are fascinating to me.

One of my best friends is Vata and I’ll never forget the first time I met her. She was talking a mile and minute, enthusiastic beyond measure, and had pop-star energy. I was mesmerized and couldn’t stop staring. Fast forward a decade, she is still one of my favorite people because, besides her being an amazing person, she brings the party and is so much fun! There is never a dull moment. 

Do you know anyone like that?

Vata is made up of the elements air and space. If you consciously focus on the qualities of air and space what comes to mind? It’s cold, mobile, rough, dry, light, and subtle. 

Let’s visualize this, when the wind is ripping, and there isn’t sun to heat it up, it can be brutal! Talk about wind-burn, chilly to your bones, and a naturally harshness. 

A Vata walks into a bar

I’m a visual learner so let’s look at a few celebrities that are naturally of Vata constitution. 

Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Ritchie, and Victoria Beckham. 

The body type of a Vata is naturally long, lean, tall, and thin. It’s hard for them to gain weight, and can eat wherever they want and still stay thin (pre-menopause). Their face shape is longer and more rectangular. They have a small nose, lips, eyes, and small bone structure.

Take your right hand below the left wrist bones, wrap your wrist with your middle finger and thumb. If your fingers overlap then you have Vata bones. They are the smallest bones of the doshas. Personally, I can overlap my entire thumb over my middle fingernail. I most definitely have a Vata bone structure.

The mental and emotional characteristics of Vata are creative and energetic. They are always flying high with their ideas but have trouble finishing the task. They go from one task to the other quickly and can experience A.D.D. if they aren’t careful. It’s best for them to break down a project one simple step at a time so they can fully manage and complete a project. 

People may call them ditzy, aloof, and airhead. They aren’t ditzy, they just naturally have more air and space so they aren’t as grounded as Pitta and Kapha’s. 

These are the people who pump up the party! They are bubbly, enthusiastic, and are very fun! Their spirit is such a joy to be around and they have lots of natural energy. 

Does this sound like you or someone you know?

Imbalanced Vata

Just because you are naturally more Pitta or Kapha doesn’t mean that you can’t have a Vata imbalance. Anyone, at any time, can have a Vata imbalance if we aren’t pacifying the qualities of air and ether. 

Here are some examples of when Vata is in excess or deficient. 

A mental or emotional Vata imbalance will manifest as an anxious mind. Thoughts of fear, worry, and overwhelm can come on quickly and easily. The overwhelm can be so intense that they almost become paralyzed, and freeze, not knowing what to do next.

Vata in excess fuels the anxious thoughts such as ‘there simply isn’t enough time in the day to achieve all of my ideas and tasks.’ Unfortunately, the strong emotions of overwhelm can lead them to feel frozen, paralyzed, and unsure of the next steps to take to get everything done. 

A deer in headlights is a Vata that is overwhelmed. 

Someone with a Vata imbalance can be very sensitive so it’s easy for them to get into their head and worry a lot. 

Do you know that person that jumps at everything? That’s a rattled nervous system, aka something is up with Vata. They experience extreme sensitivity to outside stimulus to where moderate noises or visuals really unnerves them. 

Someone who is feeling disconnected from their creativity, but is naturally a creative person, may have a Vata or Kapha imbalance. Indecisiveness can block their creativity leaving them feeling stuck and uninspired. 

Physical Manifestations of Imbalanced Vata

Digestive symptoms such as bloating or cramping after eating, constipation, hard/dry stools, burping or gas with no odor, variable hunger so some days they are hungry and others they are not, or flip-flopping with eliminations patterns such as constipation and diarrhea. 

You can experience dry or cracking skin, early onset wrinkles, brittle hair or nails, hot flashes, cold hands or feet, and cracking or popping joints. 

You know how you can spot someone with a Vata imbalance easily? It’s that person in the dead of summer wearing a long sleeve shirt or jacket talking about how cold they are. 

Vata menstrual issues can manifest as scanty periods lasting 1-3 days, super light flow where panty liners may only be necessary, and dark brown blood with clotting, lack of ovulation, or amenorrhea. Infertility can also be prevalent, however, infertility can be caused by any of the doshas so pay attention to your menstrual symptoms. 

The tongue has scallops on the side, ama at the back of the tongue which is the site of the colon, and the tongue has a gray/brown coating.

99.9% of the world population has a Vata imbalance

It’s pretty common for 99.9% of the world population to have some sort of Vata imbalance in our modern society. The amount of stimulus available to use such as cell phones, never ending to-do lists, social media, and hustle culture. This can lead us to burnout, anxiety, and overwhelm. Hence, why almost everyone is suffering from some sort of Vata imbalance.

Recommendations to balance Vata dosha

Let’s think about the qualities of Vata again – cool, mobile, rough, dry, light, and subtle. To balance a particular dosha we need to bring in opposing qualities.

Vata’s need to focus on bringing in 

• Warmth
• Stability
• Smooth
• Wet
• Dense
• Oily

All of these qualities offset and balance Vata. 

Here are 4 ways to consider bringing Vata back into balance. 

• Nourishment
• Warmth
• Calm
• Regular

Eat warm and wet

When pacifying Vata, nourishment is so important! Vata’s can forget to eat, experience low blood sugar, and be attracted to ‘doing.’

Adequate sleep for Vata is at the top of nourishment. This could look like 8-9 hours to where you are waking up feeling energized and well rested. Sleep is important for brain detoxification and relaxing the nervous system.

Like attracts like. Vata’s may be attracted to foods such as salads and smoothies, but those foods are cold. By eating lots of salads and smoothies it is increasing the cold quality which fuels the imbalance of Vata.

Incorporating warming foods is an excellent way to balance out the coolness. One pot soups, stews, stir fry’s, and chilis are perfect for a Vata imbalance. If you’re really craving the cold salad then put warm grains, protein, or roasted veggies on top. 

Grounding foods such as root vegetables, whole grains, golden milk, and dates build the ojas of a depleted Vata. Bring in spices that are heating such as black pepper, mustard, fennel, garlic, nutmeg, turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, fresh ginger, cardamom, and allspice. 

Focusing on the sweet taste is foundational for Vata. Sweet potatoes, ghee, whole grains, fruit, eggs, seeds, nuts, and oils are amazing for Vata. The sweet flavor is grounding, nourishing, and sattvic! Although, I’m not saying go and crush 10 chocolate chip cookies. Whole foods with naturally sweet flavors is what I’m referring to! 

The sour taste is also nourishing for Vata along with the side benefits of helping to stimulate digestion and eliminate toxins. Lemon, oranges, and grapefruit are great snacks to incorporate. 

Lifestyle choices

Staying warm by wearing adequate clothing, especially in the winter, will insulate your body. Vata’s naturally do not have a lot of body fat so they need the extra cotton to help them maintain their heat. Wearing sweaters and socks is a must when it’s cool.

Meditation, daily walks, and gentle forms of exercise that’s not too stimulating to the nervous system are wonderful for grounding an anxious Vata.

Vata’s need to come back into their body because they like to live in outer space! Grounding meditations that focus on somatics are great for them. Breathe down the back body and out from your feet. The downward meditation connects you to the Earth and takes your attention through your entire physical manifestation.

Creating a routine is a must! A routine that feels good for you will help you flourish! You can anticipate more of what’s coming to create less overwhelm which will significantly reduce your anxiety. 

Spending time in nature is medicine for everyone, but especially someone with a Vata imbalance. Placing your feet on the earth, gazing at the trees, and hearing the birds sing will calm down an overactive nervous system.

Taking a warm epsom salt bath followed by abhyanga is an incredible wind-down routine for Vata and Pitta! The epsom salt will offer the body magnesium which is great for the nervous system. Abhyanga, which is a warm oil massage, with a high quality sesame oil can put a Vata right to sleep and nourish the skin. 

If any of these resonate with you then chances are Vata is out of balance. 

Book a 1:1 consultation to determine the root cause of your imbalance and diet, herbs, and lifestyle choices you can make to bring the body + mind + spirit back into alignment. 

Leave a comment below or shoot me a message if you have any questions!