Ah the Fall.
“During the fall season, vata dosha is the aspect of nature that is predominant. Made up of ether and air elements, vata is generation of movement within the universe, which initiates all motion inside and outside the body. Thus vata and prana, our vital life-energy, are connected, for life is movement and movement is the sign of life. Vata orchestrates all forms of circulation..it brings the qualities of inspiration, creativity, spontaneity, and initiation, which when disturbed become insecure, anxious, worried, fearful, and overwhelmed - all qualities that can become exacerbated under stress.” pg. 262, Shiva Rea, Tending the Heart Fire.
Isn’t that so true? Isn’t the fall a time when you get so stressed out running around, trying to get it all done, especially as things get closer to the holidays? School picks up, deadlines pick up, commitments, parties, finances to pay for the holiday gifts…oh and time with relatives you don’t want to see…I could go on and on. And if you are a vata like me, you feel spacy and blown all over the place, (qualities of air and wind — vata) and you get overwhelmed. Unless you do the practices to balance and ground yourself, to counter act the dominant qualities of this season.
I was never one to get sentimental over the seasons. In fact up until 5 years ago — I paid them no mind. Season shmeason. Not until I discovered Ayurveda and the importance of the changes in season, the different characteristics of each, and how our body responds differently to each.
What I mean by that is I noticed how good, wonderful and comforted I felt after I ate warm soupy foods in the colder months. When I went against my gut feeling and opted for a cold blended smoothie, or a salad at lunch…it felt totally off and not satiating and my body felt cold from the inside. Intuitively I began choosing the warmer soupier foods…and low and behold, after my Ayurvedic evaluation: I am vata dominant, which aligns exactly with what my body was telling me…these heavier, warmer foods is what my body needs to function at its’ best…and not the provervbial “salad” in the middle of winter..NO NO NO…
Also oiling my body and drinking oil with my coffee…all seemed so yummy and nourishing. It’s like my body was crying out for them, to help lubricate my joints, my organs and to keep the dry cold winds from my bones so to speak.
If you are not familiar with Ayurveda, you can do your own google searches, or schedule a real consult with an Ayurvedic pracitioner (I know one if you need) to determine what your “blueprint” is— your constitution, in order to provide your body the best fuel for its’ type. Sort of like why put diesel into a car that will not process it, and in fact may choke on it…
Anyhow, so the fall is also a time for grief. I remember my yoga teach Shiva Rea bringing that up during a retreat….It is a time for reflection on past grief, and also a a reflection on any emotions that you may want to “grieve” and let go of currently. It is a time to give yourself the room and the space to process some of that if it is needed. Maybe releasing any sadness will prevent the winter blues?
Also, being the fall is a transition season, this is the optimum time for a detox. So lightening your food for a week - so your body can recharge and reset. Why this is important is that you don’t bring the heat from the summer with you into the winter- and that is when the colds, flus, and infections come from. So give your body a chance to prime for the winter season. Again, things I never thought of or incorporated until I began following Ayurveda an some of its’ basic tenets.
Grounding practices can include warm drinks and teas throughout the day- ones with fennel, coriander and cardamom.
Favorite Fall Beverage:
1 big TSP Cardamom Pods, 2-3 inches fresh ginger cut up, 2-3 cinnamon sticks, and soak all in about 1.5 quarts of hot water. After 20 minutes enjoy. You can make this in a thermos and enjoy all day.
