As we continue along the path of yoga practice, we begin to be able to refine our ability to modify our lifestyle towards seasonal changes. Fall is a time where vata (air and space) easily gets out of balance. Vata (lack of water and warmth) causes our skin to get dry, our minds to become more sporadic, and our bodies more prone to the typical imbalances of seasonal change, such as colds and flu.
Preventative Fall Practices
Ayurveda says that we can balance vata through many practices, but especially that of oleation. Ayurveda equates oils with love. When we rub our body in oil, we send it a message (and a massage) of acceptance and nurturing. Abhyanga (self-massage) is one of the most important things you can do to balance vata. Daily Abhyanga has also been known to dramatically reduce vata emotions such as fear, nervousness, anxiety and even depression, with sustained use.
Other Preventative Yogic Practices for Fall
- Neti pot- Using a neti pot will help you to keep your sinuses clear during the cooler days and varying temperatures of fall.
- Rasayana- Rasayanas are rejuvenative herbal mixtures. Try using Chyawanprash, an Ayurvedic supplement that acts as an immune booster for the system. Based on Alma berries, this Ayurvedic mix will give you a powerful dose of Vitamin C. Some claim that the Alma berry has the highest concentration of Vitamin C on the planet!
- Maintain a healthy diet - during the fall season we should eat more seasonal warming, heavy foods such as winter squash, brown rice, avocados, lean proteins, soups and omega 3-rich nuts.
- Drink plenty of water - Stay hydrated to counteract the dryness of vata. Drinking water will also help to eliminate ama (toxins), preventing the typical flu bugs of this season.
- Refine your yoga (asana) practice - Fall is a good time for warming asanas (postures) such as backbending, extensions, arm balances, as well as heating breaths such as Kapalabakti and Surya Bedhana.
- Get more sleep-Fall invites us to deepen our rest. It is crucial to catch up on any lost sleep from the excitement and long days of summer. If you allow your body the time to regenerate itself, you will help yourself ward of disease in the winter.
The Positive Aspects of the Season
If we are able to balance vata in the fall, we will find that we can access some of the many positive aspects of the season. Vata is realted to circulation, communication, enthusiasm, joy and creativity. Use this time to tap into pursuits that engage your mental activity, sensory perception, clarity of purpose.
Katie Silcox - Vibrant yogini, Katie was taught yoga in south India, in the home of the quietly famous yogis A.G. and Indra Mohan, authors of Yoga for ...
