Cozy blankets, fireplaces, warm soups, hot tea, and sweatshirts…. A sure sign of the season’s change from summer to fall and winter! In the midwest, we are lucky to have this noticeable shift in the weather patterns to remind us to shift ourselves – inside and out. Now is the time to slow down, reflect and renew. It’s bittersweet – we’re sad the fun and sun of summer is over, but welcome a reprieve from the heat and extra busyness coming with the hotter months.
Ayurveda — the world’s oldest medical science — describes everything in terms of the doshas (or constitutions) of Vata (air & space), Pitta (fire & water), and Kapha (earth & water). The time of year, time of day, time of life, our body type and physiology, psychology, foods, and more all have the qualities of the doshas. Everyone contains all three doshas within themselves in different proportions. All three are completely necessary in maintaining bodily functions, but if not taken care of they can go out of balance – so all have a positive and negative aspect to them.
Late fall and early winter mimic the qualities of Vata which are light, dry, cold, rough, subtle, and mobile. Notice these qualities in the environment. Trees and plants start to dry up and die off. The air becomes less humid and more chilly, and may become windy. Because we are a microcosm of the macrocosm, these qualities increase inside of us as well. Additionally, the fire building up over summer increases within us in an attempt to keep us warm during the winter. This raises our digestive capacity higher with the extra fire and makes us crave heavy soups and stews in the winter. We need to adjust our diet and routines along with the seasons in order to flow with them in harmony and ease. In Ayurveda, like increases like, and opposites balance. The increase in Vata in the environment will increase Vata within us.
Vata can get a bad reputation because it is thought to be the culprit of 70% of dis-ease processes. This is because of the mobile quality of it. It is especially important to double down on our Vata reducing routines this time of year. If we want to balance the subtle, cold, light nature of Vata, we need the opposite qualities in our food and routines: warm and grounding. Let’s explore some of these Vata pacifying tips to prepare for winter:
Favor:
- A Vata soothing diet:
- Eat nourishing cooked food – warm, moist, and heavy. Think one pot meals like stews and soups!
- Foods such as sweet potato, carrot, green peas, and cooked apples
- Soaked peeled almonds, sesame and sunflower seeds
- Butter, ghee, and cheese is ok in moderate amounts
- Warm, spicy teas
- Add warming spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, pepper, long pepper, and ginger to your foods
Avoid:
- Salads, raw vegetables, raw food, and unripe fruit
- Pungent, astringent, and bitter tastes
- Cold, iced drinks
- Overstimulation of the senses
- Over-exercising
In addition:
- Try regular oil massage (abhyanga) with sesame oil
- Get enough rest
- Add triphala if you need extra digestive support
- Pranayam such as alternate nostril breathing or bhastrika
- Yoga: forward bends, vajrasana, spinal twists, corpse pose
- Maintain a daily routine and regular times (meals, sleep and wake, etc.)
- Wear warm colored clothing such as red, orange, and yellow
- Consider panchakarma (detox program) or a simple 3-5 day mono-diet of kitchari to let your digestive tract rest and reset for the next season
Changes of season and the allergies, colds, and more that come with the shifting of our environment don’t have to be something to dread. Learning to anticipate the change of doshas around us by adjusting our lifestyle can make our life much more enjoyable and health-filled. It all starts with simply being mindful, paying attention to the subtle shifts happening, and noticing what happens to your body in response. Have a wonderful, reflective, and rejuvenating winter!
Tiffany is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Kundalini yogi teacher, and Reiki master in Southern MN. For Tiffany and her family, Ayurveda became foundational for how to live the best life possible not only physically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. She practices yoga not only as a physical exercise but primarily to embrace the lifestyle and philosophy behind the vast and ancient teachings. She is the owner of Om Shanti Wellness LLC, a healing practice focused on Ayurvedic consultations, Reiki, Kundalini yoga, meditation, and hand-crafted aromatherapy wellness products.
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