Did you feel that shift? The winds of Autumn are coming in as we move into Vata season (Autumn-Winter). We’ve begun to experience cooler mornings, dry afternoons and less sunlight. I know it may sound like a drab but it’s actually quite exciting.
As the weather shifts, our mind and bodies do as well. Appetites start to come back, the digestive fire begins to get stronger, and desired tastes are changing. Anxiety and stress begins to heighten as we scurry around trying to fit in that last minute summer fun.
Yes, there is still time for some summer fun, but we should begin to think of getting back to routine, slow down our activities, and retire earlier.
You should notice the colder mornings and dryer days that is upon us. Cold and dry are the two gunas (qualities) that most aggravate Vata dosha. If we start now to pacify Vata, we move through the cold dry months with better health and wellness.
When Vata is aggravated, it may show up like anxiety and nervousness, dry skin, hair and nails, and cracking and pain in the joints.
Ayurveda (Science of Life) teaches us that 80% of all disease comes from Vata imbalance. No matter what your dominant dosha is, Vata is the easiest to go out of balance. Fortunately, it is also the easiest dosha to bring back into balance if you recognize it in its early stages.
As we shift into Autumn, there are some Ayurveda guidelines that may be helpful in finding balance through the seasons. Please recognize that we are all different and these are guidelines. If you are currently in the state of disease your lifestyle and diet regimen may look different. Please feel free to reach out to schedule an Ayurveda Health Counseling session to discuss your individual situation.
First, a little more on what aggravates Vata dosha. Lifestyle practices that throw Vata out of balance is living a rough lifestyle (too busy), lack of routine, and not dressing properly for the cold weather. Foods that aggravate are coffee, raw foods, and cold food.
Now the good stuff. What brings and keeps Vata in balance. Nourishing, grounding and building foods. Think about meats, oil, root vegetables, winter squash, breads and pastas are back on the menu. Some of my favorites are ghee, kitchari, and golden milk. Eating soups, stews and broths keep things moist and are nourishing. Drinking warm lemon salt water is hydrating and an ideal drink first thing in the morning to rehydrate. Sipping warm water throughout the day will not only hydrate but keep you warm and move toxins out of the body.
Lifestyle practices to bring balance is developing good routines. Do not skip meals! Time your meals at the same time every day so your body begins to prepare for proper digestion before your meal. Go to bed before 10pm and wake before the sun.
This is a great time of year to turn inward. Restorative yoga is a great practice to achieve this. Sign up for my Reiki Restorative classes that run mostly on the 2nd and 4th Sunday’s of the month. Don’t wait on this one, they fill up fast!
And lastly, my two absolute favorites, Abhyanga and Shirodhara. You may know by now my love for oil. It has the qualities of heavy, smooth, nourishing and building. The qualities that help to balance Vata.
Abhyanga, one of the greatest acts of self-love and care. A warm oil massage that can be done daily, weekly, or monthly depending on the dosha (mind-body constitution). For Vata types sesame oil is a great option. If you embody a little more Pitta or Kapha, you may enjoy coconut oil. To do at home, you simply apply warm oil to every inch of your body that you can reach. Apply long strokes on the limbs and circular motion on the joints. Be generous with the oil especially in the tight spaces of the body and areas that you experience the pain. Allow the oil to penetrate into the skin and shower within 20 minutes to an hour. Don’t want to do at home? No worries, I’ve got you covered. Schedule an appointment with me for Abhyanga and I’ll do the work for you.
Shirodhara, translates to head flow. It counteracts the effects of stress, relieves anxiety, promotes deep relaxation and better sleep.
What are our clients saying about body treatments: "As a person who has trouble relaxing, Shirodhara put me in absolute relaxation mode during and after treatment."
I’m currently booking for both of these treatments at a discounted rate of $20 off each treatment. This special won’t last forever so schedule today.
Stay tuned for upcoming workshops this fall to learn more about Ayurveda.
Love and Namaste,
Jennifer
