Vata—The Principle of Motion

It is important to know that we are all born with an inherent constitutional balance of the three doshas. Air and ether combine to form the Vata dosha. Water and fire combine to form the Pitta dosha. And earth and water combine to form the Kapha dosha. When they are in balance, they create a state of physical and psychological harmony. When they are imbalanced they create a sense of dis-ease.

Vata is the combination of air and ether elements with air predominating over ether. Vata means “that which moves.” Vata is the principle of movement in the body and the energy that governs biological movement in the body. Vata regulates breathing, all movements of the muscles and tissues, the heart muscle, and all biological movements, including the single movements of the nerve impulses. It brings substances into the body, transports them to their beneficial sites for metabolism, and expels waste products from the tissues.

Vata governs the region from the waist down. Its home neighborhood is the pelvic cavity. Its seat of balance is the colon. Vata’s principle function is to create motion. It governs elimination. Its major motion is downward and outward, creating excretion of waste through urine, feces and also the release that is sexual climax. With dysfunction, it creates constipation, menstrual problems sexual dysfunctions, and problems with immunity. This is the most important of the doshas, because changes in it occur before all others. Bringing it to balance restores the system. In an imbalance state, it is the root source of all disease and pain. It especially creates respiratory disorders, mental problems, neurological disorders and difficulties of the head, specifically the brain.

Ayurveda works by calming the agitated dosha, restoring balance and returning the dosha to its home site. For example if the Vata is aggravated, it may produce symptoms in different sites, such as constipation, dull pain, dry cough, headache, and restlessness. While the doshas have their main region and home organ, they are all pervasive throughout the body. Each dosha produces symptoms that can be in any organ or tissue. Regardless of which dosha is imbalanced, balancing the Vata and returning it to the home region and function can balance all other doshas.

                 Nancy Adams, Certified Thai Yoga Therapist