Their constitution……they are all Vata types. According to Ayurveda we all have a unique mind/body type, just as we are all genetically unique, so are we within our Ayurvedic constitution.
People who have more vata in their constitution are like the wind, consistently changing, moving and scattering things around. Vata governs the principle of movement. Vata is the downward flow of energy in the pelvis, responsible for elimination, urination, menstruation and childbirth. Vata is the energy that carries blood flow and nervous impulses. Vata is the upward and outward movement responsible for exhaling, coughing and speaking. Vata is responsible for the movement of food through the digestive system and the inhalation of the breath.
A person in whom vata dominates will have certain physical, mental, behavioral and social behaviors. They usually be tall or short, but always thin with prominent bones and joints that crack and pop as they sit or stand. They usually have narrow shoulders and hips. Vatas have thin, rough, dry skin, with a tendency to tan or have darker skin, prominent veins. Vata’s run cold and suffer from cold hands and feet. They can have curly, wiry, dry hair. They may have had braces as a child, because their teeth are usually a little crooked and protrude. Their eyes are unsteady, small and dull.
Vatas have variable, scanty appetites. They will be thin as children and have trouble gaining weight. Their bowel movements are usually hard and dry, or constipated. They are hyperactive, but exhaust easily with a restless mind. They have extreme moods that also change from happiness and fear, fulfillment and insecurity. They are erratic, therefore unpredictable and they change their mind frequently. They are quick to grasp ideas, but quick to forget as well.
Their dreams 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 very a sensitive nervous system and a lower tolerance for pain, therefore they complain a lot.
They generally spend money impulsively; therefore, stay relatively poor. Their pulse is thin, wiry and threads like a snake. Vatas like movement, they like to travel, walk and talk a lot. They have a hard time sitting still and like to fidget. This movement helps them become very creative, intuitive, imaginative, and artistic people. They are good at writing poems, creating art or dancing. The Vata mind moves like a humming bird. 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.
If any of these characteristics or behaviors sound familiar, you may be a Vata too! By determining your constitution, we can formulate a daily routine, dietary guidelines, and exercise program that will help you stay balanced throughout the seasons and throughout the changes in your life. Ayurveda is not a one size fits all program. It is a science that specializes in personalized healthcare.
