The constitution is called the prakriti. The prakriti is a person's unique combination of physical and psychological traits and the way the body functions to maintain health. It is influenced by factors such as digestion and how the body deals with wastes. The prakriti is believed to remain unchanged over a person's lifetime.
More modern advocates of Ayurveda tend to describe people according to their predominant body type for example Pitta-Vata instead of Vata-Pitta. But generally there is no difference.
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Extreme trauma at birth or in the early childhood can give such a shock to the system that the body might disguise itself as another body type and take on other features to protect itself.
You might think someone is Vata only because they look very slim, but they could have a very longstanding Vata imbalance and might have lost weight at some stage in their life.
What constitution do you have?
VATA
Please answer Yes or No to the following questions:
- Are you generally thin and don't gain weight easily?
- Are you normally quick and active?
- Do you have dry skin and more so in winter?
- Do you have cold hands and feet?
- Does your energy fluctuate and come in bursts?
- Do you often have gas or constipation?
- Do you have difficulty falling asleep or having a sound night's sleep?
- Do you feel uncomfortable in cold weather?
- Do people describe you as a lively and enthusiastic person?
- Do you have difficulty memorizing things and remembering them later.
- Are you good at making decisions?
- Are you anxious or worrisome by nature?
- Are you talkative?
- Do you talk quickly?
- Are you emotional person?
- Do your moods fluctuate easy?
- Is your mind restless, but very imaginative?
- Do you have irregular eating and sleeping habits?
If you answered "Yes" to at least 8 questions - you are at least half Vata.
If you answered "Yes" to 12-16 questions - your main constitution is Vata.
What does Vata mean?
The Vata is responsible for:
- the complete nervous system
- some aspects of the endocrine glandular system which coordinate the metabolism and most of the sense organs
- all communications within the human being as well as the communication with the outer universe
- transporting and movements within a person's body and mind for the pumping action of the heart
- for the breathing process in the lungs
- for the peristaltic movement of the intestines
- all movements of the bones and muscles
In layman's terms, Vata represents the biological principles of air and space. Vata structures and functions usually have qualities like dry, cold, light, quick, rough, unstable and subtle.
If any of the above are unbalanced you should see the following tips to regain your Vata balance.
Tips for balancing Vata:
- Emphasize a diet which is Vata-pacifying
- Drink warming herb teas and warm fluids
- Avoid alcohol and coffee
- Rest adequately
- Use sesame oil for a whole body massage in the morning
- Take a warm bath or shower
- Avoid over stimulation
- Keep warm
- Do calming exercise like walking, Tai Chi and Yoga
A Vata-pacifying diet favours warm, cooked foods and hot beverages. Soft and oily foods, such as pasta, cooked cereals and soups, should be favoured over dry and crunchy foods. Raw vegetables should be avoided, except in small amounts.
Avoid cold drinks and frozen desserts such as ice cream, popsicles, frozen yogurt etc.
Favour the following foods:
In general: Sufficient quantity, adequate amount of oil, warm foods and drinks. Have more sweet, sour and salty tasting foods.
- Grains: Rice, cooked oatmeal, bulgar, quinoa, spelt, whole wheat and whole grain breads (toasted).
- Legumes: Yellow split mung beans (green skin removed), whole mung beans, red lentils and tofu.
- Vegetables: Zucchini, asparagus, carrot, beets, sweet potatoes, artichokes, cucumber, yellow squash, okra, parsley, green peas, fennel, spinach in small amounts and cooked coconut. All should be cooked well so they are soft.
- Spices: Cumin, ginger, mustard seeds, ajwain, celery seeds, fenugreek, coriander, bay leaves, basil, saffron, hing (asafoetida), cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, anise, fennel, black pepper, rock salt, lemon juice, dill, mint, garlic, nutmeg, tamarind and soy sauce. All other spices in small amounts.
- Fruits: All ripe, sweet and juicy fruits. Dried fruit is better boiled or soaked in water prior to eating. Sweet grapes, banana, melons, plums, cherries, kiwi, peach, apricot, mango, papaya, pomegranate, sweet pineapples, raisins, prunes, sweet oranges, grapefruit, dates, figs and avocado. Apples and pears only ff sweet and juicy.
- Oils: All types, however organic ghee and organic olive oil or ghee sauteed with Vata stabilizing spices. Use Vata oil for daily massage before bathing.
- Dairy & Beverages: Organic cow or goat milk (brought to boil and serve hot), butter, ghee, cream, non-aged cheeses (such as ricotta, cottage cheese and cream cheese), paneer (homemade cheese), rice and almond milk.
- Sweeteners: Whole, natural/raw cane sugar (in small amounts), raw honey; jaggery, date sugar.
- Nuts & Seeds: All nuts and seeds (e.g. pistachio, almonds, cashew, walnuts, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower) - soak in water to soften them.
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Reduce Your Intake of These Foods
- In general: Light, dry and crunchy foods. Cold foods and drinks. Pungent (hot and spicy) bitter and astringent tastes
- Grains: Corn, rye, buckwheat, raw oats, millet
- Legumes: Chick peas (garbanzo beans), kidney beans, soy beans
- Vegetables: Green leafy vegetables, peas, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, sprouts, onion radish and raw vegetables and lettuce.
- Spices: Avoid cayenne, chili peppers and other very hot spices.
- Fruits: Unripe/sour fruits. Guava, cranberries, persimmon
- Dairy & Beverages: Soy milk
- Sweeteners: White or processed sugar
- Nuts & Seeds: Peanuts
