Warning: This article is rooted in the principles of Ayurveda and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle, especially if you have a chronic condition, please consult your healthcare provider or a certified nutrition specialist.
Previously, we broadly studied the theory of the five primary elements, and also discussed in greater depth one of these basic elements, Akasha (ether), which is vital for others’ existence. Therefore, we’ll continue this previous topic by talking about the primary element of air (Vayu in Sanskrit), which is born from the movement of ether.
In essence, Vayu is the energy of movement. Every single occurrence, every movement through the Universe - from the blink of an eye to the ebb and flow of the ocean - is brought into reality by this element. The belief that Vayu is just wind is not entirely correct. Ayurvedic treatises reveal that the main purpose of this element (bhuta) is the combination of various elements and substances on the physical level.
Despite lacking a physical form, Vayu is often compared to the deity carrying this same name. It is noteworthy that the God Vayu isn’t described in detail either. He is considered to be physically attractive, having a thousand eyes and the same number of hands. He possesses incredible speed and appears in the sky during early morning. Vayu controls the chariot in which Indra, the God of fertility, sits. With his multitude of hands, Vayu skillfully manages many horses. In India, it is believed that Indra occasionally descends from the chariot, disguised as an ordinary ascetic.
The great yogi of the past, Swami Sivananda, stated that Vayu is always within our inner selves. Not a single bodily process is possible without this element, including the most important - the flow of prana.
Thanks to Vayu, people possess a sense of touch. Let’s examine a simple example. Imagine a close friend putting his hand on your shoulder - will you feel this? Of course, since his action changed the amount of pressure applied to your skin. But in several minutes, you will likely forget that your friend’s hand is still laying on your shoulder. This is one example of the connection between movement and touch. Another example is a shirt on your body. When we pull on the shirt, we feel the fabric sliding across our body, but when our body grows accustomed to the shirt, we forget about it altogether. Here, it becomes clear that movement is required for touch.
Vayu, in essence, is a certain engine: it is responsible for the circulation of blood and contraction of muscles, and without its involvement, oxygen intake and nerve impulses would be impossible. But most importantly, this element helps us achieve the goals we set. It is Vayu that tells us how to bring our plans into reality, controlling us like wind controls a ship. It is not surprising that this element is associated with the heart center - anahata-chakra; the heart is the main organ of Vayu.
This primary element is endowed with qualities like mobility and lightness. Vayu is cold and associated with the taste of bitterness. Additionally, it possesses a round yantra and the bija mantra “yam.” The element has a green hue, but it’s also described as sky blue in some scriptures. Unlike Akasha, Vayu can be pacified, simply by following the recommendations for one’s dosha. Ayurvedic specialists say that wind can be tamed through oiling, both internal and external.
Why should Vayu be monitored? Well, let’s look at an ordinary inflated balloon for clarity. If we fill the balloon with too little Vayu, it will appear shrunken and small. A moderate amount of air will make the balloon elastic, ideal-looking and let it rise into the air with ease. At the same time, an over-pumped balloon will simply pop.
Did you capture the point of this analogy? If the wind element is lacking in the human body, we become lethargic and apathetic and may lose our purpose in life. The desire to lay down will overpower our wish to be active, and the lack of Vayu may reduce our willingness to think and reason. But excess Vayu, as we’ve found, isn’t desirable either. If there’s too much inner wind, our words and thoughts become chaotic, and we may abandon our goals before reaching a logical conclusion.
Circulating through the nadis (subtle channels), Vayu delivers elements to agni (our inner fire). This primary element moves food through the gastrointestinal tract, distributing vitamins and nutrients. Furthermore, it removes toxins from the body and enables the nervous system to properly function.
If there’s a deficiency of Vayu in the body, all movement processes are disrupted: food is not digested, gases form within the body and it is filled with ama (toxins). Sharp headaches or constant migraines can signal an issue with this element. Bronchopulmonary illnesses are also associated with Vayu, which dries up the body and can thus lead to imbalance. Still, only a certified specialist can find the specific root of a given health problem. It is difficult to critically and detachedly analyze your condition on your own; meanwhile, a competent specialist can provide recommendations that will restore an ideal balance of the elements in your body.
What can we do independently? Above all, we can start to control what we eat and drink, and also how we act. Simple and seemingly insignificant things may have a great influence on our physical and subtle body. Which signs should you pay attention to? If you develop skin problems, are overcome with anxiety and unreasonable fears, or experience difficulty with bowel movements, that is a clear signal that it’s time to deal with the element of Vayu.
As we already know, problems with the subtle body can cause our health to deteriorate. Therefore, it’s important to remember about our soul and spiritual development. We should soberly and critically evaluate ourselves; how we act, what we think about, in what ways we spend our leisure time. At the very least, we shouldn’t foolishly expect good health for someone who spends day and night by their computer or television screen. An individual who harms or worries others won’t attain exceptional wellbeing either. So, it is very important to change your way of thinking: it is far better to be an imaginative and altruistic creator than live life as a destructive, down-to-earth person who follows the crowd. It’s important to let Vayu flow actively toward a heightened noble goal.
It’s also important to monitor your diet, since Vayu can deliver both healthy and harmful food to our stomach with equal success. If one food worsens our health, the other can help us live a longer life. Without a doubt, we must restrain from drinking alcohol: any issues with Vayu will increase dramatically after the consumption of liquor, bringing even more chaos into our lives.You shouldn’t delude yourself with the thought that a shot or glass of any alcoholic drink will soothe you and decrease stress. Liquor temporarily increases the amount of endorphins in your blood, so you’ll surely become cheerful and excited, but this euphoria will quickly end. Alcoholic drinks never solve any problems, they only create illusions that cloud our gaze. After a “cultural holiday” or outing of this sort, you’ll be slapped in the face with the same problem as before, often with an even more perplexing solution.
If you are apathetic and sad, make sure to add hot pepper to your food, eat more legumes and mix cinnamon into your tea. These foods and spices will strengthen Vayu and help you escape boredom and depression. Those who are excessively active and tireless should devote special attention to sour and salty foods, as these flavors will decrease this element in your body.
The views expressed are based on traditional Ayurvedic texts and do not constitute medical advice.