Vata’s elemental makeup consists of air and ether (air and space). The common translation of vara is “that which moves things.” Vara is often referred to as the Vayu (wind) in the body, and it is the primary motivating force of the doshas and without it, the other doshas are unable to move. A combination of each element results in three humors or doshas known as Vata, Kapha, Pitta. These doshas are believed to be responsible for a person’s physiological, mental, and emotional health. According to Ayurveda the art of medicine and prolonging life, Vata is responsible for our mental and physical adaptability. It is the energizing force of the body and mind, and it governs our nervous system, our bones, and our senses of touch and hearing. When Vata is in balance for our prakruti or constitutional nature, we are coordinated in body and mind and our response to stimulation. When in balance, Vata allows us to seamlessly navigate our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Our ambulation or ability to walk is easy, our sensory integration and mental processes flow, and we feel spacious, creative, and energized. When our Vata is in balance, our breath supports our nervous system, and there is homeostasis or internal stability between tissues and organs. The movement of our life force (prana) is regulated by Vata, and this function allows us to “inspire” (inhale) easily and to surrender (exhale) with ease as well. Foods that are great for balancing Vata are, in general, sweet, sour, and salty in taste. Ayurveda considers these tastes to be medicine to increase qualities of warmth, moisture, and heaviness/groundedness to promote even digestion—which helps to balance Vata. Generally, all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent) are recommended for healthy digestion. There is a long list of fruits and vegetables along with grains and dairy with nuts and beverages to favor and avoid available online.
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In Ari Aster’s 2016 short film C’est La Vie, Chester Crummings, a homeless man, speaks directly and combatively to camera about his life and society at large as he wanders the streets of LA, surviving, begging for change and casually murdering people. At one point, he says: “You know what Freud says about the nature of horror? He says it’s when the home becomes unhomelike. Unheimlich.”
In Sig...
