.png)
Ayurveda is very specific about the different classifications of people. There are three main categories, each representative of the 5 elements and their combinations. These are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata dosha is comprised of the Air and Space element. Hence people with predominance of these two elements tend to be rather airy and spacey!
Lets talk about some of their characteristics.
They tend to be on either side of the spectrum in terms of height – either rather short, or unusually tall. They’re typically frail and thin, and have a hard time putting on any weight. The planet Saturn, and North node Rahu rule over Vata Dosha dominated people. There is however, Mercurial influence because the planet Mercury is Airy in nature.
This Mercurial energy makes them excellent communicators. Their energy is best utilized in fields such as teachers, consultants, computer programmers as well as in media. They also tend to have changing and often unpredictable emotions. Their memory is often short term or erratic. Vata dominated people are however, very talkative and sociable. They mix easily with others, especially if Mercury and Rahu are well placed in their birth chart. When Vata is too high, due to an ill-placed Saturn and Rahu, Vata’s suffer from alienation and find themselves unable to relate to anyone.
They do tend to be rather intellectual and communicative, but often times restless and changable. Often influenced by the behaviour of others, Vatas are sometimes regarded as fickle and unstable. This is a characteristic that can be modified with Yoga and meditation, which are two practices extremely beneficial to Vata predominant persons in particular.
Vata dominated individuals should avoid dry and light foods, cold climates and sleeping late. Once they get into the habit of sleeping late, it is usually difficult to break the habit, and their naturally high Vata dosha, gets further aggravated, resulting in fatigue, insomnia and body ache.
On the flip side, it is advised to keep warm, indulge in somewhat oily foods (preferably cooked in Ghee) and try to get into bed earlier. Indulge yourself in hot oil massages every now and then (daily if possible) and get plenty of sunlight. Spend a few minutes everyday to meditate and practice Yoga.
Vata dosha, is said to be the King of Doshas, without which, neither Pitta nor Kapha can be fully expressed. Vata dominated individuals make life interesting, adventurous and evolutionary. Their sense of adventure and thrill, makes them exciting to be around. They do however, need to be aware of getting burnt out due to over-exertion and hyperactivity.
