Vata Dosha

Made up of Air and Space, Vata governs movement and communication.

Vata’s qualities are light, dry, cold, rough, mobile, and subtle. It brings enthusiasm, creativity, and adaptability — the energy behind all motion in the body and mind. Vata is responsible for circulation, elimination, and the transport of nutrients and intelligence throughout the body.

When in balance, Vata is creative, communicative, and uplifting — your inner cheerleader.

Vata’s Time of Day: 2–6 AM and 2–6 PM, Season: Winter (cold, dry), Life Stage: 60+ years

Ideal Vata Routine

Morning:

  • Wake between 6–7 AM

  • Hydrate with warm water

  • Meditate to center the mind

  • Practice gentle yoga or stretching to ground the body

Daytime:

  • Maintain a consistent routine — Vata thrives on stability

  • Eat lunch at the same time daily

  • Practice mindful eating in a calm, uplifting environment surrounded by positive energy

Evening:

  • Eat dinner at the same time each night

  • Wind down with light reading or gentle movement

  • Incorporate breathwork (pranayama) or meditation

  • Bed by 10 PM — essential for calming the mind before sleep

Foods to Favor:

  • Fruits

    • Sweet grapes, plums, cherries, kiwi, peach, apricot, mango, papaya, pineapple,  berries, oranges, grapefruit.

  • Vegetables

    • Asparagus, zucchini, fennel, carrot, tomato, artichokes, cucumber, yellow squash, okra, tiny eggplants, spinach, red or green chard

  • Spices

    • Cumin, ginger, mustard seeds, celery seeds, fenugreek, hing (asafoetida,) cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, anise, fennel, black pepper, salt, black salt, lemon juice, tamarind.

  • Sweeteners

    •  Date sugar, rock sugar or raw, whole cane sugar

  • Dairy

    • Warmed milk (types of milk-cow’s, almond, rice, oat, goat’s),ghee, lassi, butter, cheese

  • Grains

    • Cooked oats, sprouted wheat, durham flour, quinoa, rice, Seitan

  • Oils

    •  olive oil, ghee, canola oil, almond oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil

***You may juice your own fresh vegetable or fruit juices at home

Foods to use sparingly or avoid:

  • Fruits

    • Jams or dried fruits

    • Raw apples, bananas, pears

  • Vegetables

    • Raw vegetables or salads

    • Onions

  • Spices

    • Hot spices such as chilies, hot peppers or jalapeno

  • Sweeteners

    • Refined sugars, processed sugars/sweetners

  • Dairy

    • Curdled milk products such as yogurt (except lassi,) cheese, cottage cheese or sour cream, butter, cream, ice cream, frozen yogurt or any other frozen desserts, powdered milk

  • Grains

    • Barley, buckwheat, cereals (cold, dry, or puffed), corn, couscous, millet, oats, Dry, pasta, wheat, yeasted Bread

  • Oils

    • Canola oil, corn oil, flax Seed oil, soy oil

Intuitive Healing with Vata

Heart chakra due to it being an air element, Throat chakra due to it being associated with communication are assoicated with Vata. Lead with love, speak your truth respectfully to help support this trio. Colors that support the chakras, green for heart and blue for throat.

Incorporate stones or crystals:

  • Tree Agate

  • Moss Agate

  • Cintrine

  • Jade

  • Ruby

  • Garnet

Affirmations:

  • I am grounded and centered

  • I speak my truth

  • I am calm in the face of challenges

  • I am connected

  • I slow down when my mind and body tell me to

  • I am at peace

Mantras: Chant these while holding love at your hear center. Say them out loud and repeat with your breath

  • Om shanti shanti shanti-centers and focuses the mind

  • So hum-harmonizes your breath and mind