Seasonal Change
Understanding seasonal change and tips to navigate it
As we start to enjoy cooler temperatures and prepare for winter, take a moment to reflect. How do you feel in your body? Where are you at emotionally? Ayurveda uses seasonal change as a signal to take time to rest, reflect and honor our body, mind and spirit.
In the fall, we may notice an accumulation of heat from summer showing up as dry skin, indigestion, skin rash or mental irritability. What we take in through our 5 senses will either work to increase these symptoms or to balance them. If we can work to balance, rest and reset before the cold sets in and vata begins to naturally increase, we will have better agni and digestion power, improved immune function and just plain feel better! Transition periods are important. And, what we do to support them, makes everything move more smoothly. Think about it, if you were going to change jobs, move into a new house or have a baby there are things you would do to prepare, to make sure that the transition went as smooth as possible to reduce overall stress. Seasonal change is no different.
TOXINS
What we take in through our eyes, ears, nose, mouth and skin everyday affects our body and mind. From hidden toxins to the things we KNOW aren’t good for us like too much alcohol or sugar.
These toxin accumulations need to be balanced and cleaned out. Just like our cars, we need to preform regular maintenance and give care to our body to improve longevity and quality of life. You wouldn’t buy a brand new vehicle, drive it everyday and never change the oil, would you?
To maintain optimal health and wellness as we age, we too must preform regular maintenance for our body and minds…regular exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, massage and seasonal resets are a great place to start!
Remember, if you wait until you see your car smoking to change the oil, you will have a big problem. Same with your body. If you ignore subtle symptoms and signs, you will end up doing major repairs and surgery. But, if you want to maintain or improve your health you need to practice healthy habits everyday. The science of Ayurveda teaches us this.
STRESS
When we are under constant stress in life we begin to have inflammation. Inflammation is at the root of all dis-ease. Taking time to journey inward and reset each season helps us to connect to both our inner intuition and the natural rhythms outside us. When we build this awareness, we can better navigate through each moment and day and begin to balance with opposites as we need to. Flowing through life instead of trying to swim against the current.
PRAKRUTI vs VIKRUTI
We are all made up of the same elements, Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. These elements comprise the three doshas in our body and minds per Ayurveda. Vata, which is primarily ether and air, pitta, which is primarily fire and water, and kapha, which is primarily water and earth. What you are born with, your genetic make up of the doshas is called Prakruti. It is determined by the things that don’t change. Your natural hair color, skin thickness, bone size etc. Each of us is made up of all of the elements, but if someone has more fire quality they will be considered pitta predominant Prakruti.
Due to our lifestyle, stress, toxin exposure, the doshas and elements can become out of balance and increase or decrease. This is what is known as Vikruti, or your current state of imbalance. In Ayurveda, we work to constantly attain a state of balance by working with the 20 qualities or gunas to balance with opposites. An example of this, if we have too much heat in the body we balance with cooling foods and practices like incorporating a gentle yoga practice, meditation, and using more bitter, astringent and sweet foods and spices in our diet. By building this awareness into our daily life and practicing balancing with opposite gunas, our stressors and toxins do not accumulate as quickly and we slow down the process of disease and dying. We are ALL different. And thus have different diet and lifestyle needs. If you are interested in learning more, ask me about a health counseling session and doing an individualized seasonal cleanse! BOOK A HEALTH COACHING SESSION
TRANSITION AND RESET, TIPS FOR FALL…
Ahar and Vihar / Diet and Lifestyle
Eat slowly and without distraction in a peaceful environment.
Eat whole foods which are freshly prepared and avoid leftovers.
To reduce pitta and heat build up in fall, eat sweet, bitter and astringent foods which are cooling and grounding like root veggies, squash, kale, swiss chard, milk and grains. Favor mild flavors over sour, sharp and spicy.
Reduce or eliminate alcohol, marijuana and processed foods.
Use spices like cumin, coriander, fennel, and cinnamon to aid in digestion.
Reduce or eliminate screen time in the evenings.
Take quiet time out in nature to ground and reconnect with Self.
Practice anulom vilom breathing to reduce stress and depression, regulate agni and digestive fire, strengthen your immune system and bring clarity.
Practice full body self massage abyangha with warm oil to reduce anxiety, dry skin and ground the body before bed.
Anuloma Viloma Breath Practice
As always, feel free to let me know how this practice is going for you. Be well, see you at your next session or out in the world! Keep sharing the love and share this practice with someone you love. XO Kristie