Vata

Vata - Elements: Air (touch) and ether (hearing)

Air and ether are next in the ascending order of the five elements, and are the most refined. Air is prevalent throughout the atmosphere; everything animate or inanimate is either composed of or surrounded by it. Ether has been identified as the glue that binds the universe together. It is the medium in which the electrons, neutrons, and protons of the atom—the fabric of the material universe—are suspended. Time and space do not exist in ether; therefore, our attunement to this element enables us to intuitively acquire knowledge and insight not readily accessible to our sense organs of perception. We can increase our attunement to the universal intelligence that ether represents by learning to balance kapha, pitta, and vata in our constitution.

When vata is balanced, we are less attached to matter and more attuned to spirit and, therefore, are more likely to exhibit the unrestricted qualities associated with our soul nature. We are more able to transcend the self-restricting limitations of ego, and attain a greater sense of freedom. We feel inspired and energetic, and experience optimism and enthusiasm. We are talented and creative, quick to  comprehend, and adapt easily to new situations. A balanced vata constitution gives us a firm inner faith that guides us intuitively towards the achievement of our goals.

When air and ether are diminished in our constitution, vata is deficient. Air creates a channel to the ether and, therefore, to our intuitive self. When this link is broken we feel uninspired and unmotivated. We may lack incentive, initiative, and self- confidence, and begin to think of ourselves as incompetent. In its extreme, vata deficiency leads to neuroses, addictions, and self-destructive behavior.

Vata is excessive when there is an overabundance of air and ether in our system. This causes us to feel cut off from the knowledge and wisdom of our intuitive self. We may become agitated, and tend to think and act without foresight. We can be high-strung, fearful, and worried, with a nervous irritability that leads to mood fluctuations, unreliability, restlessness, and emotional instability.

Signs that you need to balance Vata

• Are you constantly worried, anxious, overwhelmed, fretful?
• Do you feel tired but find yourself unable to slow down and relax?
• Do you find it difficult to settle down and fall asleep at night? Is your sleep restless when you do manage to fall asleep?
• Is your skin feeling dryer than usual, stretched taut or flaking?
• Is your hair more brittle, with split ends happening oftener?
• Are your lips raw and chapped? Is your throat constantly dry?
• Is your digestion irregular? Do you experience problems with abdominal gas?
• Do you feel like you cannot sit still, that you need to be constantly moving?
• Do you feel "spaced out"? Is it harder to remember things for more than a short period of time? Is your attention span shorter than usual? Is it harder to focus?
• Do your bowel movements occur less than once daily?

If you answered yes to many of the questions above, following a Vata-balancing diet and lifestyle can help restore balance to Vata.