Ether and Air – In Ayurveda, we know that there are three Doshas. Today we will be discussing the first Dosha, namely Dosha Vata, which is the Dosha comprised of Ether and Air. This Dosha is cold, dry, light mobile and rough, much the same as the energies of Ether and Air. It is concentrated mainly within the colon, the bones, the small intestines, the pelvic region, and the heart, head and navel.
Vata governs all of the movements within the body, this includes the rhythm of the beating heart, the breath that flows into the diaphragm and lungs and peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract. Vata is also responsible for the elimination of waste from the body through sweat, urine and faeces, the rhythmic circulation of blood and heart function, the secretion of enzymes, the assimilation of nutrients into the body, orgasmic convulsions and discharge, the entire nervous system, the monthly menstruation in women, gastric indigestion, touch, emotions, hearing, creativity and all of the other physical movements of the body.
When there is a Vata imbalance in the body one experiences the symptoms of the imbalance in these areas. Examples of these symptoms in the body can manifest as a poor circulatory system or heart palpitations, the sensation of being constantly cold, affected lungs and respiratory problems, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, arthritis and a loss of the senses or difficulty hearing.
Within the digestive system, one will find examples such as excessive gas or bloating, mild to severe discomfort after consuming food, the inability to digest food and extract nutrients, insufficient gastric acid and loss of appetite, and constipation.
Within the bodies, pelvic area symptoms include sexual infertility and a loss of sexual interest and diminished sex drive, the inability to reach climax, amenorrhea or an irregular menstruation cycle. symptoms of a Vata imbalance manifest in the mind as anxiety and insomnia, loss of short and long-term memory, the disease of Alzheimer’s or dementia, a loss of memory and creative impulses, extreme bouts of moodiness, mental and physical fatigue, periods of mental instability, restlessness and forgetfulness, nervous and obsessive impulses and behaviour.
