Vata has the qualities or attributes of dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile (erratic), and clear. These qualities translate into the makeup of the vata individual, as shown in the vata characteristics below.

THE VATA INDIVIDUAL

Dry: Dry skin, hair, lips and tongue; dry colon, tendency toward constipation; hoarse voice.

Light: Light muscles, bones, thin body frame; light, scanty sleep; tendency to be underweight.

Cold: Cold hands and feet; poor circulation; hates cold and loves hot; stiffness of muscles.

Rough: Rough cracked skin, nails, hair, teeth, hands and feet; cracking joints.

Subtle: Subtle fear, anxiety and insecurity; fine goose pimples; minute muscle twitchings, fine tremors; delicate body.

Mobile: Fast walking and talking; doing many things at once; restless eyes, eyebrows, hands and feet; unstable joints; many dreams; loves travelling but does not stay long at one place; swinging moods, shaky faith, scattered mind.

Clear: Clairvoyant; understands immediately and forgets immediately; clear, empty mind (meditation); experiences void and loneliness.

Astringent: Dry choking sensation in the throat; hiccough, burping; loves oily foods and mushy soups; craves sweet, sour and salty tastes; tendency toward constipation.

Physically, vata constitutions have light, flexible bodies and big, protruding teeth. They have small, recessed, dry eyes. With irregular appetite and thirst, they often experience digestive and malabsorption problems. Vata types tend to be delicate in health, so they may have few or no children.

In their behavior, vata individuals are easily excited. Indeed, they are alert and quick to act without much thinking. They may give a wrong answer but with great confidence. They have good imagination and enjoy daydreaming. Vata individuals are loving people but may love someone out of fear or loneliness. Fears of darkness, heights and enclosed spaces are not uncommon.

Because of a tendency to change, vata people may often move furniture or residence to keep from feeling bored. They do not like sitting idle, and seek constant action. Due to their active nature, they make good money but spend it on trifles and have difficulty saving.

Any of the qualities of vata in excess can cause an imbalance. Frequent travel, especially by plane, loud noises, constant stimulation, drugs, sugar and alcohol derange vata, as does exposure to cold and cold liquids and foods. Vata people should go to bed by 10 p.m. since they need more rest than the other types.

In general, people with excessive vata should dress warmly and eat warm, moist, slightly oily, heavy foods. Steam baths, humidifiers and moisture in general are beneficial. Daily oil massage before the shower or bath is also recommended. Vata tends to get aggravated in the fall and winter, because the qualities of vata get increased then.

General guidelines for balancing vata:

* Keep warm
* Eat warm foods and spices
* Keep calm
* Keep a regular routine
* Get plenty of rest
* Avoid cold, frozen, or raw foods
* Avoid extreme cold

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