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The Vata Dosha
| The term vata stems from the Sanskrit word vaayu, which means
“that which moves things." Vata is composed of the elements space and air--the lightest and
subtlest of the five elements. It is considered in some ways to
be the most influential of the three doshas because it is the
moving force behind the other two doshas, which are incapable of
movement without it. Vata dosha is responsible for all activities and sensations
related to the body. It is the intelligence which
channels perceptions (temperature, pressure, sweetness,
lightening, violin music, etc.) through the appropriate sensory
organs, converts them into internal psychological events, and
then orchestrates the appropriate response via the organs of
action. It is responsible for all movements in the mind and
body: the movement of air in and out of the lungs, the flow of
blood through the circulatory system, nutrients through the
alimentary tract, and thoughts through the mind. Vata promotes a
healthy balance between thought and emotion and gives rise
to creativity, activity, and clear comprehension. Because Vata regulates the nervous processes
involved with movement, thoughts, emotions, eating, drinking, and our general functioning, its disturbance can
often have far-reaching consequences.
Here is a table which summarizes the manifestations of a
balanced or unbalanced (excessive) Vata dosha:
Effects of Vata Dosha
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Effect of Balanced
Vata
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Effect of Unbalanced
(Excess) Vata
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- Proper coordination of all body
functions
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- Body functions impaired or
disorganized.
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- Normal movements associated with
eating, digestion, and elimination
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- Movements for eating, digestion, and
elimination disturbed (bloating, constipation, gas)
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- Mental activity controlled and
precise
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- Mental agitation, confusion;
impaired memory
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- Control of the organs of perception
and the organs of action
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- Perception and action are
inappropriate; senses are dulled; responses untimely
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- Stimulation of digestive juices
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- Deficiency of the digestive juices
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- Desire to lead an active life;
vitality, curiosity and natural interest
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- Loss of energy and joy for life
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- Normal drying of occasional mucous
discharges
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- Persistent bodily discharges
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- Normal respiratory function
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- Shortness of breath, dry cough,
disturbance in respiratory movements
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- Insomnia, light or interrupted sleep
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- Non-specific fatigue, anxiety,
worry, cold-intolerance, depletion of Life Force
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Copyright 2002 Scott Gerson, M.D. Used with
permission.
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