Mind, Body and Soul prep for nourishing yourself this fall.
In Ayurveda fall and early winter are known as Vata season due to it’s energetic qualities and shifts. The elements that make up Vata are space and air with Vata’s job is to move. These elements and objective have some main qualities like cold, dry, mobile and subtle. In the body, Vata is responsible for prana’s flow of movement and locates in the large intestine, joints, ears, skin and hips. As the fall days get shorter and the sun sets earlier; and our minds and bodies can feel the imbalances in our psychological and physical body.
For the mental mind, a Vata imbalance can cause restlessness, anxiety, fear, brain fog or confusion. In the body, Vata imbalance will cause constipation, bloating, gas, dryness, tinnitus, headaches, cracking joints and aches. For some of us, it will be mild and we will understand it is the shift in season. For others, this can feel unpredictable and disruptive to our every day lives.
Luckily, Ayurveda has a really simple formula for healing these symptoms. Like attracts more, opposites balance, To pacify imbalances of the doshas (and seasons) we can become aware of the qualities we are experiencing and balance by introducing opposites.
To counter these some simple things we naturally do for our body can be adjusted:
Eat warm, soft, heavier and nourishing foods, spices and drinks. Ditch the smoothies and iced coffees, add warming foods to soften digestive issues. When we talk about heavier, we’re looking more into adding oilier and root vegetables. The energetics are more grounding and can also help nourish the mind. Vata favors sweet, salty and sour tastes (naturally occurring of course) so foods like cooked apples, pureed soups and hot cereal with ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon helping to warm up the digestive system.
Soften movement. Subtle is a natural quality for Vata, so finding movement that is less rigorous and more mindful. Longer breaths in asana yoga poses with a focus on the lower abdomen can help move subtle energy and relief digestion. Mobility is important, finding a balance while being gentle with the mind and joints. Daily pranayama (breath work) can bring Vata back into balance due to the elements relationship to prana with the air and space element. Adding mindful breathing during stressful times of day for only a few moments can help elevate any vata disruptions. Poses like low lunge, supine twists and forward folds. Balancing breath work like alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodna) or Box breathing (Samma Vritti).
Touch - the sense of space. We tend to start the layering of cozy clothes and blankets but adding touch such as a foot massage or full body massage - can help us connect back to the self. Touch releases oxytocin, the love hormone- bringing us back to the present moment. On a deeper level, the oil from a massage will penetrate deeper into the tissues providing lubrication and calming signals to our nervous system. Organic essential oils can also help ground the Vata mind and find comfort back to the presence. This provides grounding, feeling safe, nourished and helps the mind calm from any chaotic chatter or worries. Preferred body oils should be warming and nourishing like sesame, avocado or almond oil. Essential oils would include ginger, sandalwood or clove.
To put it simply you can balance with opposites knowing what you need.
For Dryness - add moisture and oils to the body and food
For Anxiety/Restlessness - add grounding practices and breathing
For Digestion issues - add subtle movement + warming foods/spices
For Coldness - add warmth and touch
These are just some simple steps you can create now to help yourself ease into the season.
For a more detailed tips - check out the Beginner Ayurveda: Fall Season Guide below. If you are looking for a specific protocol to get you through the season, book a 1:1 Ayurveda Dosha Assessment, for a custom plan!
