Vata.

Air + Ether (space) = Vata

Vata is one of the three doshas of Ayurveda.  Ayurveda is the sister science to yoga which means the "science of life".  Yoga teaches us how to quiet the mind and connect to the infinite, while Ayurveda teaches us how to live in harmony with the universe and achieve optimal health and longevity.  Traditionally, before students were given the practices of yoga, they were first expected to have a strong foundation in the habits of Ayurveda.  

The five elements; ether, air, fire, water, and earth manifest in the body and the world around us as three basic principles known as doshas.  They are kapha (earth & water), pitta (fire and water), and vata (air and ether).  They are found in everything in nature in different proportions.  Not one dosha is better than the other.  Each of us has a unique combination of these elements that is known as your constitution. (Click on this link to take a quiz to discover your constitution.)

The qualities of vata are dry, light, cold, rough, irregular, expansive, quick, and changeable.  Its principle is movement and it moves the other doshas.  In the body, vata governs movement through breathing, circulation, elimination, and nervous activity.

People of vata constitution tend to have dry skin, cold hands/feet, a light, agile frame, sensitive digestion, and be a light sleeper.  When out of balance in the body, vata shows up as arthritis, constipation, hypertension, weakness, restlessness, and other digestive issues.  

Emotionally, those with a vata constitution tend to be creative, energetic, flexible, and good communicators.  When unbalanced, they are overwhelmed, worried, anxious and therefore have trouble sleeping.  Vata, like space, moves out in all directions and needs to get centered and grounded. 

Vata is dominant in fall and early winter.  Think wind: dry, moving, cold, erratic, rough, subtle and clear.   Living with a consistent routine creates stability during the vata season. 

My constitution is vata/pitta and I can easily become scattered by a lack of routine in my life. When I incorporated the practice of dinacharya or daily rhythm, this greatly shifted my nervous system to a state of ease that has allowed me to heal inflammation in my gut, reduce stress, improve my digestion, and overall it has given me an abundance of energy. Balancing vata in my body has given me the structure that I needed to direct my energy in order to achieve my desires.  

Click here to learn more about my story of improving my health with better daily habits.