VIDYA

VIDYA is the definitive build of Tushar Chande's Variable Index Dynamic Average: an EMA whose smoothing constant is re-derived each bar, accelerating when movement runs one-sided and flattening when it balances out. It includes both published scalers — the widely used absolute-CMO momentum form and Chande's original 1992 standard-deviation ratio — plus an ATR-normalized slope test separating trending from flat regimes and a dashboard with the live effective length.

How to Trade the VIDYA?

• Slope regimes: the line reads bullish while its normalized slope clears the flat threshold, bearish below the negative, and flat inside congestion — each transition is alerted.
• Breakouts from flat: price breaking away from a flattened VIDYA marks the potential start of a directional phase — both directions alerted.
• Price crossings: the source crossing VIDYA is the classic entry grammar; markers are optional, the crossing alerts work regardless.

VIDYA Settings

• Source (default close): series the average smooths.
• VIDYA Length (default 12): EMA-equivalent base length the scaler rescales bar by bar.
• Adaptive Scaler (default Momentum (|CMO|)): the momentum form, or Volatility (StDev Ratio) for Chande's original reading.
• Scaler Lookback (default 9): the CMO period, or the short standard-deviation window in volatility mode.
• Reference StDev Length (default 30): volatility mode only — the reference the short window is divided by.
• Flat Threshold (default 0.05) with ATR Normalization Length (default 14): the slope cut, as a fraction of ATR, separating congestion from directional phases.
• Show Dashboard (default enabled): regime, adaptivity, and effective-length readouts.
• Style toggles: Trend Regime Coloring, Adaptive Gradient, and Price / VIDYA Gradient Fill (default enabled); Price Crossing Markers (default disabled); Line Width (default 2).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the dashboard's effective length mean?

It converts the current smoothing constant back into an EMA-equivalent length — the "variable index". A 12-length VIDYA can behave like a far longer average in balanced tape and a much shorter one in a push.

Which adaptive scaler should I use?

Momentum (|CMO|) is the widely used form: one-sided movement speeds the average up, balanced movement flattens it. Volatility (StDev Ratio) is Chande's original construction, speeding the line when short-term dispersion outruns its reference.

How does VIDYA compare with the UHL Adaptive MA?

The UHL Adaptive MA gates its updates through a variance test — it holds perfectly flat, then steps. VIDYA adapts continuously and always moves a little.