source: Dr J V HEBBAR
Vata Dosha has direct connection with air. Air element is a component of Vata Dosha. They both have lot in common. There is a famous simile – like Air moves the clouds around the sky, Vata Dosha moves Kapha and Pitta in the body. Kapha and Pitta are basically immobile. It is Vata that takes them allover the body.
Vata Dosha and arthritis - Vata is situated in all the joints. Movement is a quality of Vata and hence, Vata Dosha is directly responsible for joint movements (and all the other movements of body parts and fluids). So, osteo arthritis, which is a degenerative disease of the joint is directly related with Vata Dosha.
Vata Dosha and pain – Pain is a characteristic symptom of Vata. In any disease, if pain is a symptom, then there is definite involvement of Vata.
Vata Dosha and skin dryness - Dryness (Rookshata) is again another characteristic symptom of Vata. In any disease, if there is skin dryness, there is definite involvement of Vata Dosha. Imagine a pond. Constantly blowing wind takes away all the water from the pond and leaves it high and dry. So Vata has characteristics of wind and dryness is one of its key qualities.
Cause for Vata imbalance – direct wind – Exposure to direct wind has been explained as a cause for Vata imbalance. Exposure to direct wind causes increase of dryness and increase of pain. Because pain and dryness – both are Vata symptoms.
So, people with Vata imbalance, those who are suffering from muscular pain, arthritis, myalgia etc., should avoid direct wind and direct air from fan. During summer, no one can survive without a fan. I am not advising to totally avoid fan. But it is best to keep fan at some distance so as to avoid direct wind hitting your skin.
Similarly, while travelling, if you are of Vata body type or have any Vata Dosha dominant disease, it is best to keep the vehicle window closed or at least half-closed. This helps to avoid direct wind and prevents Vata Dosha increase.
There is also another physical cause behind increase of Vata by direct wind exposure. When air is blowing directly at an organ, it is causing minute oscillating movements to the skin, muscle, ligaments, etc, pertaining to that organ / limb. When there is movement, there is Vata increase. Hence there is increase of pain.
You may not readily appreciate the worsening of Vata symptom just by single episode of wind exposure. It may be a slow process and symptoms may worsen over a period of time. The impact will be gradual but certain.
In case of Vata imbalance, it is better to keep the affected part of the body covered with cloth. This is the principle behind bandaging the limb to reduce pain, or to heal a bone fracture. This is also a principle to choose tight cloth Vs loose fitting cloth.
This principle also puts light on another fact that travelling increases Vata. Hence, people who travel a lot should undergo Abhyanga (oil massage) at least once a week to keep Vata in balanced condition.
In case of Vata imbalance, it is better to keep the affected part of the body covered with cloth. This is the principle behind bandaging the limb to reduce pain, or to heal a bone fracture. This is also a principle to choose tight cloth Vs loose fitting cloth.
