Ayurveda and Autumn
This Sunday, September 22, autumn begins in the northern hemisphere, from an astronomical phenomenon called autumnal equinox, giving way to the period in which the Earth begins to move away from the sun in its orbit, giving way to shorter and colder days. Climate change may be adjusting this timetable, but it remains impossible to stop gravitational forces
This season is characterized by the change of color and the fall in the leaves of the trees. The word equinox has as etymology the Latin words: 'aequus', which means 'equal', and 'nox', which means 'night' and indicates that on this day, the sun shines directly over the equator, which makes the day and night have the same duration.
Historically, the autumnal equinox has as its main symbolism the abundance of the harvest, and it is also an important time to express gratitude for what’s been 'sown' throughout the year. These types of moments in the firmament, either the equinoxes or the solstices, when the longest day or night of the year alternate, are also considered as turning points in the natural processes of the year and therefore many ancient cultures used them to implement deeper changes in people's lives. Fall is a time of transition. Many trees and shrubs are quietly undressing in preparation for winter.
Ayurveda, a 5000 year medical system originating in India, similarly considers a seasonal routine to be an important cornerstone of health year-round. Balancing the nature of your local climate with lifestyle choices that offset the potential for seasonally-induced imbalances is one of the simplest ways that you can protect your well-being.
Autumn brings with it a predominance of air element, and prana is abundant. This season harbors a certain emptiness that can leave us feeling raw, but it is also a time when we can also strip down to a quiet essence of being.
Vata is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda, which believes in the balance of five elements. Vata is associated with air and space and is characterized by cold, light, dry, rough, and spacious qualities. Which is why autumn is the classic vata season. If we consider the Ayurvedic principle that opposites balance, vata season is less aggravating if you fill it with warmth, oiliness, deep nourishment, loving relationships, and a sense of stability, routine, and groundedness.
Your diet is a powerful way to soothe vata this fall. You may find yourself naturally wanting to increase your intake of food, but be careful to follow the lead of your appetite and digestion. Substantive, oily, nourishing foods that are high in protein, high in fat, brought to life with warming, stimulating spices, and served hot, will go a long way toward maintaining your internal reserves of moisture and keeping you grounded through the vata season.
Breakfasts of cooked grains—like oatmeal, tapioca, cream of rice, and cream of wheat—are perfect at this time of year. Lunches and dinners that include steamed vegetables, hearty grains, soups, and stews are grounding and moisturizing. If you eat meat and eggs, this is one of the best times of year to enjoy them. Dairy products and all nuts and seeds are also beneficial. In general, you'll want to reduce your consumption of raw vegetables, cold and frozen foods, as well as the bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes.
Practice a daily routine. One of the most effective ways to support vata is by establishing a daily routine. Try to do the same things (wake up, exercise, eat meals, go to bed, etc.) at the same times each day. Set the tone for your day by rising early, taking full advantage of the silence, stillness, and peace that are intrinsic to the early morning hours. Avoid broken sleep!
Massage yourself. Then, you can calm your nervous system, awaken your tissues, and ground your energy by massaging your skin with warm, organic Sesame Oil or with an herbal oil. Meditate! Use warming aromas. If you enjoy a little fragrance, vetiver, geranium, and citrus essential oils are very appropriate this time of year.
Vata is very easily aggravated by fast, mobile activities, so consider slow, gentle, strengthening forms of exercise. If you practice pranayama (yogic breathing exercises), Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing) is very balancing this time of year.
In your asana practice, favor vata-pacifying yoga. Warm up slowly and include some joint rotations. Move with intention and fluidity—grounding the hands and the feet on the mat whenever possible—and avoid jumping between postures. Gentle flows like a relaxed Sun Salutation are perfect for vata. Connect with the earth beneath you in poses such as Thunderbolt, Cat-Cow, Cobra, and Child's Pose, and quiet the mind with forward bends such as Intense Westward Stretch. Gentle inversions and restorative poses such as Legs Up the Wall are also very good for vata.
Ayurveda offers a number of herbs that balance vata that can be especially beneficial during the autumn season. Taking Chyavanprash in the morning can help reinforce immunity, strength, and energy during the autumn season. Ashwagandha is stabilizing to the mind and nervous system, and can promote sound sleep, strong digestion, proper elimination, and appropriate strength. Similarly, herbal teas — especially those made from ginger, licorice, cumin, coriander, and fennel, can promote proper digestion and warmth.
Have a warming Ayurvedic Autumn/Vata Season!
