Vata energy is composed of Air and Space and corresponds approximately to the nervous system of the body. In modern terms, Vata functions may be compared with some of the actions associated with neurotransmission in the brain. Vata governs breathing and elimination and is characterized as dry, light, rough and fast.
Vata is considered the most influential Dosha because it governs movement and many functions of the body and is the principal driving force behind our mobility. It is associated with activity and vitality and governs the "empty" spaces within the body, as well as the nervous system.
People with a predominance of Vata tend to have a light build and may appear delicate, ethereal and creative; they can also be changeable and unpredictable. When young, they are often very slim and athletic and frequently show originality of thought. A strongly Vata type may be very tall or very short, tending towards either extreme, slender and full of energy.
Other Vata characteristics include fine hair and eyelashes and relatively small eyes. They are generally not heavily muscular and their voice may be high-pitched, thin or sharp. The skin tends to be dry. Vata types generally have a fast metabolism and do not gain weight easily. They are quick and active people, always on the move.
Vata types learn quickly but often forget what they have learned just as quickly. They may be attracted to activities involving rapid flows of information. They can be prone to anxiety, tension and fear and tend naturally to worry. They may also have a highly developed spiritual side and an interest in esoteric subjects.
The Vata pulse is traditionally described as resembling "the snake". It is said to be fast, weak, cool and irregular.