SHIFT TO DARKER NIGHTS
We have passed through the threshold of the Autumn equinox. The equinox marks the moment when night and day are equal in length. We are rounding the bend to the darker, cooler days ahead. Nature encourages us to slow down, foster deep nourishment, and tend to our inner world.
Ayurveda refers to this time as a Rtu Sandhi, the transitional joint between two seasons. The classics tell us the juncture between two seasons, although sacred, can also be when dis-ease is most likely to manifest. At this key time, the outside weather oscillates between that of the season that is ending and the one that is beginning. The vacillating climate can be hard on your body and mind. If you are feeling out of whack, you are not alone.
The shift to darker nights and cooler days can leave us feeling a bit out of balance at times. With summer nearing a close, not only may you notice the shift in temperature and the leaves beginning to change, you may also notice shifts in your mind and body.
The transition into autumn increases the Vata dosha. For many that may mean a rise of anxiety, sleep disturbance, cold hands and feet, chilly neck, constipation, or dry skin. If you want to flow from season to season with ease and grace it is important to adjust and adapt in tune with nature.
This is an ideal time to support yourself with nourishing self-care practices and a gentle cleanse. ( INFORMATION ABOVE TAKEN FROM ANDREA RUSSELL)
"Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, focuses on bringing our minds and bodies into balance. According to Ayurveda, there are three primary doshas, or energies. Just as each person has a dosha that predominates, each season is also dominated by one of the three doshas.
Late Autumn into the coldness of Winter is the season of Vata Dosha, cold, dry, rough, light, changeable and constantly moving. Think of blustery autumn days with the wind whipping up the fallen leaves. Too much vata energy can make us feel unsettled, anxious, scatty, overwhelmed and have difficulty focusing. Physically it can cause dry skin, dry hair and constipation.
Vata is a combination of the elements air and ether. We can counteract the effects of too much vata by working with the opposing energy of the earth element in our yoga practice. As my dosha is predominantly vata, I often practice this way to bring myself back into balance. When my mind is swirling around like those autumn winds, an earthy grounding yoga practice really anchors me down and helps me feel calm and steady.
To bring that earth element into your yoga practice, think of strength, stability and stillness, feeling the ground beneath you and putting down roots. Draw that excessive energy from the mind and send it down into the legs and feet. Find the strength of the earth element in standing poses such as warrior I and II and find a calm stillness in forward folds. Including a twist helps to counteract constipation. " (Louise Longson)
Of the Five Elements Vata is made up of Air & Space. The air that surrounds us in the fall is one of movement. The blustery days when you pull the collar up or wrap a warm scarf around your neck to stave off the cold. Air is light and so is easily moved. Air fills our lungs, fuels the body, bringing a sense of openness.
I have read that the Vata Dosha (Ayurvedic Teachings) is the " Queen of Change:" our skins becomes dry, our digestion can become irregular, we begin the time of holiday celebrations which can be very unpredictable. As a result, we feel scattered, frenetic, and increasingly anxious; which can lead to constipation, anxiety, and poor circulation.
Rainy Day enhances the quality of dropping inward. Of slowing down, getting still. It is a time of transition from Pitta (summer: hot/wet) to Vatta (cold, dry). Both are light in weight and so the body needs “grounding”, to feel the earth, to work on stability.
How do you feel? heavy/light? - moist/dry?
What do you need to support you? Remember in Ayurveda opposites balance the body.
Do you need to balance Vata?
Vata dosha governs flow and motion in the body. Answer these questions to see if you need to balance Vata.
Is your skin dry, rough, thin?
Are you underweight?
Is your mind constantly in a whirl?
Do you worry incessantly?
Are you constantly restless or agitated?
Do you experience constipation?
Do you suffer from insomnia?
Do you suffer from vaginal dryness?
Do you have spells of forgetfulness?
Do you experience discomfort in the joints?
Are you easily fatigued?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, you need to balance Vata.
How do we balance our bodies during this time?
Eat
Healthy fats. Ghee is every Vata's best friend, especially during windy and cool Vata season. Consume as many healthy fats as possible. This can include: raw milk, olive oil, nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), avocado, and of course the golden elixir of life, ghee.
Warm, cooked and heavy foods. Stick to warm and easily digestible meals such as stews, soups, basmati or brown or wild rice, dahl, and cooked root vegetables.
Hot, nourishing beverages. Spiced teas such as ginger, licorice, and cinnamon are balancing for light and airy Vata. To make a wonderful turmeric milk: melt 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1/2 teaspoon of cardamon powder in one cup of warm milk, on the stove. When the spices have assimilated into the milk, add 1 tsp of raw honey. This delicious beverage helps with immunity and calms the nerves. It will also help with sound sleep.
Spices. These exotic Ayurvedic spices not only taste amazing, they are also energetically warming and grounding - and Vata-pacifying. Additionally, they help with digestion, which Vata may struggle with. Try: turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, black pepper, or saffron.
Broths. Sip on homemade vegetable broth, chicken broth, bone broth, as the weather cools. It is also a good idea to drink warm water throughout the day.
Avoid
Raw foods and salads. These are difficult to digest in Vata season, and will unbalance you during this time. Summer (Pitta season) is the best time to eat raw vegetables.
Bitter, astringent and pungent foods. Indulge instead in sweet, salty and sour tastes, which will balance Vata.
Leftovers, raw foods, canned foods, processed foods - these will aggravate Vata. Eating fresh, homemade, sattvic meals is best for Vata types.
Coffee and caffeinated tea. Especially for Vata-dominant types, these are too stimulating. Consume in moderation
Dry snack foods. This includes chips, popcorn, crackers, and dry, cold cereal.
(Dietary Pointers taken from "Ayurveda Diet and Lifestyle Tips for Fall: Transitioning into Vata Season": https://www.naoayurveda.com/blog/2015/10/29/ayurveda-diet-and-lifestyle-tips-for-fall-transitioning-into-vata-season)
Resources
Vatta Chart: https://akhandayoga.com/blog/pacify-winds-fall-ayurveda/
What is Vata Dosha? :http://www.mapi.com/ayurvedic-knowledge/doshas/vata.html
https://www.naoayurveda.com/blog/2015/10/29/ayurveda-diet-and-lifestyle-tips-for-fall-transitioning-into-vata-season
"Get Grounded: An Autumn Yoga Sequence for Calm and Stability," https://www.balancegarden.co.uk/blog/autumn-yoga-sequence
Andrea Russell: Ayurvedic Counselor
