Understanding vata

Here are some of the common characteristics of people who have a predominantly Vata constitution.

• Creativity, mental quickness
• Highly imaginative
• Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge, but also quick to forget
• Sexually easily excitable but quickly satiated
• Slenderness; lightest of the three body types
• Talk and walk quickly
• Tendency toward cold hands and feet, discomfort in cold climates
• Excitable, lively, fun personality
• Changeable moods
• Irregular daily routine
• Variable appetite and digestive efficiency
• High energy in short bursts; tendency to tire easily and to overexert
• Full of joy and enthusiasm when in balance
• Respond to stress with fear, worry, and anxiety, especially when out of balance
• Tendency to act on impulse
• Often have racing, disjointed thoughts
• Generally have dry skin and dry hair and don’t perspire much
• Typical health problems include headaches, hypertension, dry coughs, sore throats, earaches, anxiety, irregular heart rhythms, muscle spasms, lower back pain, constipation, abdominal gas, diarrhea, nervous stomach, menstrual cramps, premature ejaculation and other sexual dys-functions, arthritis. Most neurological disorders are related to Vata imbalance.

Physical Features

People of vata constitution are generally physically underdeveloped. Their chests are flat and their veins and muscle tendons are visible. The complexion is brown, the skin is cold, rough, dry and cracked.

Vata people generally are either too tall or too short, with thin frames which reveal prominent joints and bone-ends because of poor muscle development. The hair is curly and scanty, the eyelashes are thin and the eyes lusterless. The eyes may be sunken, small, dry, and active. The nails are rough and brittle. The shape of the nose is bent and turned-up.

Physiologically, the appetite and digestion are variable. Vata people loves sweet, sour and salty tastes and like hot drinks. The production of urine is scanty and the feces are dry, hard and small in quantity. They have a tendency to perspire less than other constitutional types. Their sleep may be disturbed and they will sleep less than the other types. Their hands and feet are often cold.

Psychologically, they are characterized by short memory but quick mental understanding. They will understand something immediately, but will soon forget it. They have little willpower, tend toward mental instability and possess little tolerance, confidence or boldness. Their reasoning power is weak and these people are nervous, fearful and afflicted by much anxiety.

Vata people tend to earn money quickly and also to spend it quickly. Thus, they tend to remain poor.