Fall: Season of Transformation
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden
Fall is the season of transformation and Its easy to see how things begin to change externally as we shift from season to season. . . the air is cooler, its growing dark earlier, new fruits and vegetables appear on the grocery store shelves after their long awaited arrival. . . but do we pay enough attention to changing ourselves to match the season we are in?
Ayurveda, the sister-science to Yoga, teaches us that Fall is the Vata Season, which governs movement. A few Vata elements can be identified by: cold, dry, rough, light, moving, irregularity, changeable elements, air and space. All of which can be felt and seen during the fall months; the air gets cooler and dry which causes a loss of natural oils in our skin creating a rough texture. The sun gets lower in the sky and causes an irregularity to our daily schedules. The winds begin to pick up causing a great movement of pollen, leaves that have fallen, and the air itself travels far and wide. Because Vata energy is so strong during Fall and constantly circles around us it can leave most feeling out of balance, ungrounded, and our minds feel overwhelmed! How exhausting!!! Sadly, we cannot control the weather, BUT we can learn to adjust ourselves.
I once read a quote from a Sioux Indian Chief that stayed with me every time I wanted to curse the weather for not allowing me to wear the outfit I originally wanted: "Everything was possessed of personality, only differing from us in form. Knowledge was inherent in all things. The world was a library and its books were the stones, leaves, grass, brooks, and the birds and animals that shared, alike with us, the storms and blessings of earth. We learned to do what only the student of nature learns, and that was to feel beauty. We never railed at the storms, the furious winds, and the biting frosts and snows. To do so intensified human futility, so whatever came we adjusted ourselves, by more effort and energy if necessary, but without complaint." HOW TRUE!!! We shouldn't curse the weather for raining down, or shifting the wind! We need to learn to be flexible of mind and body and adjust ourselves.
So here we go... some tips and tricks to adjusting YOU during this Vata season to prevent getting sick and to stay grounded during your beautiful transformation.
-Schedule Yoga for the same time every day to build a balanced routine in your schedule, this can provide stability and familiarity even when everything else seems to be upside down
-Adjust your yoga practice to focus more on the lungs and GI Tract, this is where disease attacks first during Fall
-Practice right nostril breathing to enhance SUN energy and warm your body (check out the video below for a guided introduction)
-Avoid cooling foods such as raw vegetables and salads, these provoke Vata energy and can be harsh on the digestive system during this season
-Drink warm teas that have (ideally fresh) ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon; these elements promote good circulation and aid in digestion. My favorite tea during this time is BREATHE DEEP by Yogi Tea. The extra bonus is they have loving messages on each tea bag to boost your mood
-Eat warm soups and foods. This will keep the body warm and makes it easier on your stomach to digest.
-Rise with the sun, and lights out at 10:00p; for most of us Western-Minded people this can seem absurd! How can I watch the Late Show if I go to bed at 10:00?! Simple, don't watch it, or record it so you can enjoy the next day. Adapting this sleep schedule puts us back in sync with nature, and back in sync with health. Have you ever wondered why you sleep so well after a week of camping? For more information on sleep schedules and Ayurveda check out this article by Elephant Journal:
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/01/the-3-ayurvedic-ground-rules-for-restful-sleep-julie-bernier/
-Apply oils to your skin to keep in moisture during the dry season. My favorites are ORGANIC coconut oil, Almond oil and Grapeseed oil which you can find at most stores. Not only will your skin look better, it will feel amazing and help prevent those pesky winter-breakouts
-Use a neti pot to keep your lungs clear of congestion and prevent illness. Simply put it uses saltwater to clear out the nasal passages. (ALWAYS use boiled water that has been cooled to slightly warmer than room temperature to ensure all bacteria in the water has been neutralized.)
-Curb your tendency to talk unnecessarily. Not only will this keep your throat moisturized and warm by not opening up your mouth to the cold dry elements, but it will also help you rejuvenate through silence.
-Commit to a regular meditation practice. Start with 3-5 minutes each morning when you wake up and build from there. This will help you start your day off with a balanced mindset AND promotes the production of Grey Matter in the brain.
My greatest hope is that this information helps you embrace the season we are in rather than fight your way through. Enjoy the cool air on your freshly oiled skin, the new flavors of what has emerged from the soil, and the opportunity to grow.