Vata Season Tips = Warmth

We had such a wonderful Autumn Equinox Retreat yesterday! I do hope you will join us next time, if you weren't able to this time. Here is a little of what we learned about in our discussion of changing seasons.

Autumn is VATA Season, comprised of the elements Air and Ether (Space). The qualities of Vata are cold, dry, light, mobile, subtle and rough. These qualities can show up in a variety of ways: Dry skin, constipation, anxiety, increased creativity, desire to let go of routine, clearer intuition, gas, bloating, and insomnia, spaciness, uncertainty, feeling isolated, and/or feeling a deeper awareness of the senses. 

Understanding Ayurveda allows us to navigate the changes that come along with the seasons. If done well, we remain grounded, nourished, healthy, and energetic. 

Since one of the qualities of Vata is COLD, here are a few tips on how to bring in more WARMTH. This way, you stay balanced as the temperatures continue to drop. 

• Do gentle, daily breath/body practices (yoga, walking, or tai chi). Make sure you exert yourself enough to create some warmth in your body but not so much you can no longer breathe through your nose. 
• Keep your body warm - wear layers, sleep under more blankets, wear scarves, and take hot baths or showers (these are especially nice before bed). 
• Eat warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper, cumin, basil, and mustard seed.  More intense pungent spices can dry out the body too much, so go easy on the cayenne, jalapeños, and wasabi. 
• Eat one-pot meals of seasonal foods. When everything is cooked together, it makes it easier to digest. Serve all foods warm and notice how it supports your energy, mood, and sleep.  

Also, don't forget that we have an opportunity to align more deeply with seasonal changes during the Heartfelt Wellbeing  Autumn Detox, Sept 26-Oct 17. 

You get to decide if life becomes more easeful and enjoyable. The small decisions you make every day add up to big outcomes in your health. Your self-healing journey awaits you.