Chapter 10

Types of Vata Dosha

hour 10 Online Yoga Life

Vata Dosha represents the principle of movement and is primarily associated with the elements of air (Vayu) and ether (Akasha). Vata governs various functions in the body, including circulation, respiration, nervous impulses, and elimination. It is considered the most influential dosha because it can move and disturb the balance of the other two doshas, Pitta and Kapha.

1. Prana Vayu

Location: It is located in the head and moves in the chest and throat.

Functions:

  • Governs intake of all life-sustaining elements like air, food, water, and sensory perceptions.
  • Controls breathing, swallowing, and the coordination of sensory functions with the mind.
  • Responsible for mental clarity, reasoning, and focus.
  • It regulates intuition or intellect, intelligence, perception, the senses, the mind, and thought and vision. It is responsible for expectoration, sneezing, belching, inspiration, and swallowing of food.
2. Udana Vayu

            Location: It is located in the chest. It moves in the nose, umbilicus, and throat.

Functions :

Its functions include initiation of speech, effort, enthusiasm, strength, color, complexion, and memory.

  • Regulates speech, energy, enthusiasm, strength, and vitality.
  • Controls exhalation and vocal expressions, contributing to clarity of speech.
  • Governs memory and determination, and it helps in activities requiring willpower.
3. Samana Vayu

Location: It is located near the digestive fire, Agni. Digestive tract, especially the stomach and intestines.

Functions :

It moves in the Koshta (abdominal cavity). It is responsible for deglutition (receiving the food), digestion of food, separating the products of digestion into nutritive and excretory parts, and then channelizing them to the respective pathways for circulation and elimination, respectively.

  • Supports the digestion process by maintaining balance in the digestive fire (Agni).
  • Controls the peristaltic movements and absorption of nutrients.
  • Works closely with the digestive enzymes to break down food for assimilation.
4. Vyana Vayu

Location : It is located in the heart.  It moves all over the body with great velocity.

Functions :

It oversees functions such as flexion, extension, locomotor actions, the opening and closing of the eyelids, and generally almost all bodily activities.

  • Governs the circulation of blood and distribution of nutrients throughout the body.
  • Controls movements of the limbs, such as walking, stretching, and reflex actions.
  • Regulates perspiration, which maintains body temperature.
5. Apana Vayu

Location: it is located  in the large intestine. It moves in the waist, pelvic region, bladder, and genitals.

Functions :

It is responsible for functions such as ejaculation, menstruation, defecation, and the expulsion of the fetus/childbirth.

  • Governs the expulsion of wastes like urine, faeces, menstrual blood, and semen.
  • Regulates childbirth and the elimination of reproductive fluids.

Controls sexual functions and provides a grounding force in the body