Nourish the Five Vata Sub-Doshas

So if you’ve been introduced to Ayurveda already you for sure will have heard of the doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. But did you know there were five members in each dosha family? Just as in Yoga philosophy, there are five energy sheaths called koshas, there are five vayu’s, taking care of our creative, enthusiastic breezy selves. Each of the five vata sub dosha takes care of a specific area or function of our mind-body.

I love talking all things vata since he’s the don of the doshas and although he exudes excitement he is also pretty volatile. Vata overall takes care of the energy of movement in the body, mind and emotions and it is formed of the space and air elements. By nature it is cold, light and dry by nature - just like the wind since its composed of space and air elements. It is the active ingredient that generates life for the other two doshas. I’d like to breakdown vata for you into the roles in the body that can subsequently give insights when it comes to healing and bringing balance.

Prana Vata - Our life force energy taking care of the brain, breath and heart. Prana vata takes care of the essential movement involved in the heartbeat, ingestion of food sensory perception, inhalation, and the mind-body connection, hence prana (life force energy). Prana vata also governs the vitality in each and every cell of our being.

This vata get be pushed out of balance by stress and disturbed sleep, and therefore can trigger confusion, weaken our senses, lower energy. So in order to restore balance techniques of breathing, meditation, rest and gentle yoga can be extremely powerful as well as herbal preparations for the strengthening the nervous system and overall energy as well as treatments such as shirodhara, shiro basti, head and body massage. Processing any stuck emotions and getting out in nature is key.

Udana Vata - taking care of chest area. This is taking care of our outward expression of energy in the respiratory system, thoughts, voice, speech and exhalation. This is the upward movement from the navel to the heart, lungs, throat and brain. If we experience an imbalance in udana vata, we will experience issues in breathing, tightness in the chest, congestion, hoarseness in the throat and issues in ability to express oneself. Bring balance to this dosha with the rejuvenating jam called chyawanprash, ghee, honey, tulsi, pranayama, meditation, avoiding foods and drinks that are cold, raw, light, rough, drying and bitter. Useful treatments can  include steam, nasya, and aromatherapy. 

Vyana Vata - taking care of overall circulation and the heart. This is the sub dosha is centred at the heart and gives us connection to our consciousness and love. It circulates blood from the hear centre throughout the entire body. It’s the centre of our emotions, sensory movement, nerve impulses and muscle contractions, cold extremities.

If vyana vata is out of balance we can experience issues of blood pressure, tremors, anxiety, muscular cramping, palpitations etc. Bring balance by nurturing relationships, stretching often, connect with your body through touch and abhyanga massage and take heart supporting herbs such as Arjuna, hawthorn berry, or use rose essential oil or what rose quartz. Not forgetting the power of meditation, yoga, pranayama and counselling.

Apana Vata - taking care of the downward flow of the colon and reproductive organs. This is the vata that keeps check on the reproductive organs, urinary tract, elimination, and the pelvic region. A good downward flow would be experienced but regularity to our menstrual flow, ovulation, ejaculation, conception, urination and elimination. It will be obvious to us if and when this vata becomes out of alignment. We will experience issues and irregularity in these areas. Internal and external oleation that be beneficial here as well as maintain regularity to our daily circadian rhythms. Triphala, Black sesame oil and other prescribed herbs can be taken to balance as well as Panchakarma therapies.

Samana Vata - taking care of the digestive system between the chest and navel region. One of the most impactful sub doshas as an area we can easily influence. This is the vata that plays a key role in our digestion. absorbing nutrients for tissue nourishment processing of waste for elimination. Digestive imbalances will manifest if out of balance, gas bloating, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, leaky gut, IBS, and more.

We can use digestive herbs and spices to bring balance to the sub dosha on a daily basis to keep Agni strong and keep toxins at bay as well as have regular eating patterns and apply conscious eating habits to our meals. Useful herbs include seeds such as cumin, coriander, fennel, carom, celery, dill, mustard. Many blended herbal preparations are available to help here. It is also important to bear in mind the gut-brain connection to digestion. So managing stress with pranayama and meditation will also support the balance of samana vata as well as abdominal massage.

Are your sub doshas in balance? The best way to bring balance to your dossiers specific to yourself is to consult with your practitioner: Find yours via: apa.uk.com