Self Healing Through the Seasons : Fall
Ayurveda, the science of life, gives us simple insights into the art of self-healing.
In Ayurveda we see all things as a specific make-up of the five elements; ether, air, fire, water and earth. So just as our external environment changes with the seasons, so does our internal. As Dr. Vasant Lad often says, “I am the world, and the world is me”. We are indivisible from our changing environment.
With this in mind, each season is ruled by a specific make-up of the five elements:
Fall is ruled by Vata dosha (ether + air),
Winter, ruled by Kapha dosha (water + earth),
Spring, by Kapha and Vata dosas
Summer, by Pitta dosha (fire + water).
As we settle into the fall season here in Santa Fe it is a wonderful moment to take a step back from our busy lives and make some choices for ourselves towards a greater well-being/balance. The qualities you may notice elevated during these fall months are ones of rough, dry, mobile, light and cold. During the fall months these qualities tend to be increased in our environment and therefore they can easily become increased and out of whack in our bodies and minds. To remedy this we must balance with opposite qualities. Take a moment to think: how do the qualities of Vata, (dry, rough, light, mobile, cold), show up in your life? Is there a feeling of scattered thinking, anxiety; are you joints cracking more; are your toes extra cold; are you feeling more constipated? We can regulate these symptomatic qualities. In simple terms, grab a warm sweater, take a long bath, make a warm nourishing strew, spend extra time in meditation, add ghee into your diet. These are just a few wonderful ways to ground oneself in the fall season.
Here are a few more simple tips for you during these fall months:
- Drink warm water, lots of teas and favor warm foods.
Yes: Ginger/cardamom tea
Less: Iced tea
- Avoid excessively dry and cold foods such as salads, crackers, chips and ice-cream.
Yes: Baked vegetables and soups.
Less: Kale salad, chips and salsa, crackers, popcorn
- Set aside time each day (around the same time) for self care. This could look very different for each individual. What makes you feel taken care of? Make time to do it. This might be a warm bath, daily self oil massage, setting aside time to meditate, reading your book under a warm blanket…
- Spend time outside. Soak in the fresh air of this season. There is nothing more grounding than a walk in the changing leaves and crisp air.
In Ayurveda we look to find balance and harmony in the body, mind and spirit. We do this by building awareness and skills to move within our daily lives with ease, grace and health. So take a moment before you eat your next meal, before you rush to the phone, take a breath, listen to your inner wisdom and then proceed.
Interested in learning how to integrate the ancient art of Ayurveda into your life? Together we can create a program for you using specific combinations of the following: Ayurvedic Health Counseling sessions, Pilates and movement sessions, and private cooking sessions. I offer you lifestyle tools, breathing and meditation techniques, exercise routine, recipes, simple herbal remedies, recommendations for foods, teas and more. Click here for more information and to set up a consultation with me.