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Autumn Ayurvedic tips to feel well

October 23, 2012

16221671Autumn is predominantly a cool, dry, windy season when what Ayurveda terms Vata dosha dominates, both inside and outside our bodies. Vata is predominant in the elements air and space, giving it  cold, light, dry, subtle, rough rough, and moving qualities. This quality of movement makes Vata the most powerful dosha, capable of aggravating Pitta and Kapha when unbalanced. As Autumn is a time when we are especially vulnerable to Vata aggravation we must take care. For example, our skin may start to feel dry, tight and a little rough even (we notice clients absorb a lot more oil into their bodies during massages at the clinic at this time of year, for example). Due to Vata’s etheric nature, you may also feel a little ungrounded or even spaces out, fidgety or unable to focus properly. Other signs of Vata aggravation include constipation (the stool is too dry), bloating (too much air in the stomach), or feelings of anxiety and insomnia. The joints may also start troubling you if you are prone to any kind of joint pain or back ache.

Here are some more tips to help pacify Vata dosha, stay well during Autumn and early Winter:

1.    Now is the ideal time to carry out a short detox to prepare the body for Winter. Ayurveda recommends detoxing when the seasons change, to help keep the doshas in balance, and the key times are now and in the Spring. Detoxification is a natural body process to reduce undigested matter or toxins in the body (termed ‘ama’). It is, however, compromised when our system becomes overloaded from a variety of causes that include poor diet, allergies, stress, infections, and toxins such as heavy metals. So what can we do to support the body’s natural process of detoxification at this time of year? Panchakarma is an ancient form of Ayurvedic purification which removes ‘ama’. By cleansing and detoxifying the body, it also helps build the natural fire within the body, or ‘agni’, which itself naturally burns ama from the body. It is the ultimate mind body detoxifying experience, though it takes time (3 weeks minimum), can be expensive (though is cheaper in India) and is not for the faint hearted! Given the time and expense of this, a simple home Detox is more easily achieved, over a week or even a long weekend. A Spring detox plan (also ideal for now) plan is outlined here.

2.    After your detox, focus on mainly Warm, nourishing Vata pacifying diet: rich in organic oils such as pumpkin and hemp seed, ghee, warming spices such as ginger and cumin, a warm breakfast (oat, porridge, semolina, stewed apple, quinoa or mung bean flour pancakes), hearty soups, stews, casseroles and perhaps kitchadi (Inidan risotto made of rice and moong beans) and lots of warming spicy herbal teas.  End the day with warm milk with ginger, nutmeg and a little honey. If you’re having problems eating, add a pinch of nutmeg. Minimise raw food (especially in the evening), dry food (crackers, muesli, pop corn), caffeine and cold sandwiches. Iced food and drinks are never great but be especially careful to avoid them now.

3.    Skin care: To counter the tendency to dry skin this time of year, ground yourself with a daily self-massage with a warm sesame oil self-massage. Start with the soles of the feet and work up the body to the head in sweeping strokes along muscles, and circular movements around joints. Always massage the belly in a clockwise direction- up the right side and down the left side or you may feel bloated. Leave the oil on for 10 minutes then shower/ bathe. Use an old towel as the oil may stain. A daily massage is very Vata pacifying, helps dilate the skin surface, clear toxins and aid movement of lymph. I’f you’re in a hurry, you can just do your feet and head (where many of the body’s ‘marmas’ or vital points are located).You can also massage coconut oil into the hair and leave for 30 minutes for a conditioning treat. This oil is also great for dry nails and cuticles.

4.    Keep to regular meal times and daily routine: Have lunch as your main meal, and a smaller dinner eaten early. Try to get up and go to sleep at regular times as well. Regularity is one of the quickest ways to ground Vata’s erratic nature (Vata predominant types often find following a routine very challenging!)

5.    Increase stillness: Connect with yourself.  Vata is aggravated by feelings of fear and insecurity so take time to look after yourself.  It is also aggravated by excess movement. Anything which reduces the amount of rushing, travelling and business that is part of most of our lives is good. You can also tailor your Yoga practise to become more Vata pacifying. Click here for more on this.