In Ayurveda, remaining balanced provides a healthy basis. As the weather gets cold and windy, it’s important to stay warm and grounded.
Here are some tips to support your body’s natural rebalancing during the seasonal transition:
- Gentle alternate nostril breathing, especially in the morning just as you’re waking up.
- Oil your body with sesame oil before bathing or showering.
- Enjoy red, orange, and yellow colors in your space.
- Avoid fasting, and enjoy cooked meals as opposed to raw foods.
- Wind down around 9pm with warm spiced milk or herbal tea, and find your way to sleep by 10pm or so.
Vata season is known for its cold, dry, light, windy, and rough characteristics. It’s valuable to introduce opposing warm, dense, and nourishing qualities order to pacify Vata Dosha in the Autumn season.
Consider your habits related to movement, food, and sleep.
Ayurveda suggests moderate exercise without strain; reaching about half your capacity. A great gentle strengthening practice is Yoga. You can create your own free practice at home by learning some postures and enjoying your own personal routine. Good poses for autumn are cat/cow, cobra, hero’s pose, and savasana, or the relaxation pose. It’s also wonderful to complete 10 rounds of sun salutations in the morning.
Eating oatmeal or cream of wheat in the morning is a great way to start the day in Autumn, and enjoying tortillas, chapatis, and basmati rice with plenty of ghee for lunches and dinners will support your grounding. Don’t drink black tea or coffee after dinner, as this will raise vata in the system.
Napping for a short period in the afternoon can be grounding and stabilizing, especially for Vata predominant people during this time. Getting good rest is important, but waking up early, at 5am or so, is recommended. The pristine quiet of this period is nourishing to mind’s need for calm and centering. It’s also beautiful to feel the quality of time as the light rises in the early morning. For a rested body and mind to awake in these early hours, getting to sleep by 10pm is a good practice.
References
Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Vasant Lad.
Photo by Ricardo Gomez
9/27/2024
Article by Luisa
