Ether and air combine to form the vata dosha. In nature vata is like the wind, consistently changing, moving and scattering things around. Vata governs the principle of movement and therefore can be seen as the force that directs nerve impulses, circulation, and elimination.
A person in whom vata dominates will usually be tall or short, but always thin with prominent bones and joints that crack as they move. They usually have narrow shoulders and hips. Vatas have thin, rough, dry skin, with a tendency to tan or have darker skin, prominent veins and skin that is cool to the touch. Vatas tend to be cold and suffer from poor circulation in the extremities.
They have curly, kinky, coarse, dry hair that’s dark brown or black. Their teeth are usually large, crooked and protrude. Eyes are small, quick and unsteady and may be dark brown, small, dry, and dull. Vatas have variable, scanty appetites. They will be thin as children and have trouble gaining weight.
Vata’s like sweet, salty and sour foods like cake, crackers, and pickles. Their thirst varies and they will nurse hot drinks to keep warm. Their bowel movements are usually hard and dry, or constipated. They are hyperactive, but exhaust easily with a restless mind, with extreme moods of hope and fear, fulfillment and insecurity. They are erratic, therefore unpredictable and their faith changes easily. Their short term memory is good, but they have difficulty recalling the past. When they remember their dreams they are usually full of action, running, jumping and flying, or an intense nightmare full of fear. They are light sleepers with interrupted sleep patterns.
Vatas have a lower tolerance for pain and loud noise. They generally spend money impulsively; therefore stay relatively poor. Their pulse is thin and feeble, and threads like a snake. They walk a lot, talk a lot and complain a lot. They are very intuitive, imaginative, and artistic. They are good at writing poems, creating art or dancing. The vata mind is very busy like a bee. They are born worriers and worry about anything and everything. Often they feel anxious, nervous, and many times their mind is in the future, never enjoying the present. Vatas are good at playing the “what if???” game
