What are Vata Doshas Main Characteristics?

Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the three doshas in Ayurveda. These represent the foundation of Ayurvedic body types which are used to describe our mental, emotional and physiological characteristics.

Each person is born with all three doshas, but on or two are typically more dominant. This is a quick overview of vata dosha characteristics to help you dig deeper into their meaning and how their traits can be best understood.

THE ELEMENTS
Each dosha is made up of two of the five great elements in nature (ether, air, fire, water, earth). The elements of vata dosha are ether (or space) and air. You can use the nature of these elements to understand the nature of vata since vata is in essence ruled by elements. For example, air is movable and changeable and can change and move very quickly. This is also a trait of vata dosha. Therefore, people who are primarily vata dosha, or vata dosha aggravated, will exhibit these traits.

FINDING BALANCE
For example, when out of balance, vata is prone to anxiety, restlessness and nervousness. It's hard to focus on one idea and several tasks are worked on simultaneously.  Can you see how these traits can be tied to the movement of air and wind?

Vata  expresses joy, vitality, and clarity when in balance. 

TIP: Vata personifies: cold, dry, light, quick, irregular, and changeable characteristics