The elements air and ether combine to form the vata dosha. Vata, prana or vayu translated as wind, indicates all-pervading movement.
Vata types in Ayurveda
Vata are five basic types, these pancha pranas (five vatas) are:
Apana Vata working in the kidneys, colon, rectum, bladder and genitals; governs the elimination of waste in general and expulsion of urine, stool, sperm, menstruation, etc. Its location is in between the navel and the anus. Apana Vayu seat is in the Pelvis, Muladhara chakra, and element earth. Mula bandha practice is influence this area and apana vayu. Apana moves from the navel down to the floor of the pelvis. The pathological manifestations of vitiated apana vayu are urinary tract, uterine tract and anal rectal diseases; psychologically feels lazy, dull, confused, indecisive, improper sex drive, and befuddled.
Samana Vata governs peristaltic movement of the digestive system. Samana Vayu seated in the Solar Plexus, Manipura Chakra, and Fire. It corresponds to the area we practice Uddiyana bandha. It unifies prana vayu and apana vayu, the two opposite forces. Samana moves from the periphery of the body into the core. The pathological manifestations of vitiated samana vayu are delusional or unsound mind, shortness of breath, anorexia, bloating, malabsorption, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal tumor.
Prana Vata governs inhalation, sense perception, and mind. Prana Vayu seated in the heart/chest, Anahata Chakra, Air. Prana generally means life force. As we inhale, Prana vayu moves upward from the navel to the chest. The Pathological manifestations of vitiated prana vayu are hiccough, flatulence, breathing troubles, etc.
Udana Vata governs speech, self-expression, effort, enthusiasm, strength and vitality. Udana Vayu seated in the Throat and Head, Vishuddha Chakra, Ajna Chakra, Ether. Udana moves primarily up from the throat up to the head. The pathological manifestations of vitiated udana vayu are on the eye, ear, nose and throat. It is consider being the force behind all growth, ability to stand erect, speech, effort, enthusiasm and will. Udana vayu is the force expelling air with the exhalation in a way with speech and the sound production. In the head region, its function is mental expression in the form of ideas and speech. Jalanchara bandha stimulates the energy and movement of Udana and it is consider associating with Vishuddha chakra. This upward moving energy continues through the upper chakra, the Ajna chakra, to the Sahasrara, and purifies during the upward journey. The pathological manifestations of vitiated udana vayu are disconnected speech, cannot speak, not properly articulate ideas, shortness of breath, lack in self-expression, emotional repression, uncoordinated limb movements or loss of balance.
Vyana Vata governs the blood circulation, heart rhythm, ejaculation of sperm, development of all the tissues, and locomotion. Vyana Vayu location is in the center of heart and permeates through the whole body, Svadisthana Chakra, element water. This vayu moves from the center of the body out to the periphery. This vayu pervades the whole body, and runs through the whole network of the 72,000 nadis. This vayu is associating with the energy of the Svadhisthana chakra. The subtler energies involved are enhanced through Mulabandha. The pathological manifestations of vitiated vyana vayu are abnormal cardiac rhythms, poor blood circulation, peripheral edema, tissue ischemia, fever, uncoordinated, lowered sensation, and convulsion.
If vata is balanced, it exhibits mental alertness, muscular body, normal elimination, restful sleep and feeling of happiness. If vata is imbalanced, it manifest restless mind, dry/rough skin, insomnia, constipation, fatigue, headache, cold intolerance, low weight, gas, bloating and shakiness or worry.
What is vata, what it performs?
Vata is composed of air and ether. Vata energy is responsible for the movement in the body, the activities of the nervous system and the process of elimination.
Factor that disturb vata balance
An excessive intake of food such as cold, pungent, bitter, astringent, dry, rough foods and cool drinks will prevent vata dosha from performing its normal functions.
Lifestyle factors that aggravate vata include excess cold exposure, cold weather, and fasting. Additionally, frequent air travel, engage to too many activities, sleep late in night and constantly worrying can lead to vata unbalanced.
Unbalanced vata manifest psychological problems such as doing everything uncontrollably fast; thoughts appears quickly, cannot hold thoughts, hyperactivity, attention deficit, destracted easily, ungrounded, fear, anxiety, depression, and indecisive. Unbalanced vata manifest physical problems such as dryness and manifest as dry skin, dandruff, dermatitis, exzema, chapped lips, brittle nails, dry hair, stiffness, low back pain, constipation, heart palpitations, tremors, gas, and headache.
How do we reestablish vata balance?
We can pacify vata and bring back harmony by various means; they are, taking herbs, taking & avoiding certain foods, and making certain lifestyle change.
Below are the tips to harmonize vata:
- Vata pacifying herbs and spices are cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and cardamom.
- Enjoy foods that are sweet, sour and salty. Take foods that are hot both in energy and in temperature. Enjoy your food joyfully, slowly and masticating it well without any hurry. Prefer Warm Over Cold; Moist and Oily Over Dry; Grounding, Nourishing, and Stabilizing Over Light; Smooth Over Rough.
- Avoid foods that are pungent, bitter and astringent. Avoid foods that are cold both in energy and in temperature.