Aligning With The Rhythms Of The Season

Aligning With The Rhythms Of The Season

Facts & What Are The Tips To Stay Healthy In Vata Season – Fall

According to Ayurveda, we are not separate but intrinsically connected to nature.

Everything in existence is made up of the five basic elements

  • Earth
  • Fire
  • Water
  • Air
  • Ether — including our bodies, minds, emotions, personalities, and so forth.

Three Fundamental or Biological Energies:

The ancient system then groups the five elements into three basic types of governing principles known as the,

  • Three Doshas: Vata (air and ether);
  • Pitta (fire and water);
  • Kapha (water and earth).

They are considered the three fundamental or biological energies governing everything in existence in both our inner and outer worlds, including all physiological functions and mental processes. We all have a little bit of each dosha within us, but usually, each individual has one ruling dosha, backed by the other two.

Throughout the year, each of the three doshas is more present in our environment according to the seasons. Rather than winter, spring, summer, and fall, Ayurveda divides the year into three seasons:

  • Vata season, which goes from late fall into early winter;
  • Kapha season, from the coldest, darkest part of winter into spring;
  • Pitta season, the hottest time of year from late spring to early fall.

Why Do Diseases Begin At The Junctions Of The Seasons?

According to Ayurveda, the Rutu Sandhi is (the junction of change from one season to the other).

“All diseases begin at the junctions of the seasons.” – Charaka Samhita.

Ashtanga Hridayam says that, “During this period, the regimen of the preceding season should be discontinued gradually and that of the succeeding season should be gradually adopted; sudden discontinuance or sudden adoption gives rise to imbalances.”

  • For this reason, it is critical to pay close attention to your body during these periods to adjust properly to the external change.
  • Our bodies live in a dynamic relation to our natural environment.
  • Regular cleansing with the seasonal change honors this relationship and keeps things running smoothly.

Just as the earth destroys, cleanses, and rebuilds throughout the year with the shifting seasons, our bodies establish balance through tuning in to the rise and fall of nature’s cycles.

  • Seasonal foods, 
  • Herbs, and 
  • Simple yoga postures

can help to improve the flow of the body’s natural cleansing cycle.

The Vata Season:

According to Ayurveda, the fall and part of winter are the Vata season in the northern hemisphere. It’s not the calendar year which defines the Vata season, but the qualities of the atmosphere.

Vata Season Qualities:

  • Roughness, harshness
  • Lightness and dryness in the air
  • Cold and cool temperatures
  • Movement and activity

These environmental factors influence the human system by increasing the same qualities in our minds and bodies.

The light, rough, cold, and dry qualities are depleting to the system, lowering our immunity and resistance to illness.

This is why the onset of fall and winter can trigger many seasonal imbalances, such as allergies, colds, fatigue, and digestive sensitivities.

How to Avoid Vata Imbalances? (Points to keep in mind during Fall Season)

When one Dosha is in excess, there are two ways of restoring vata balance:

  • The excess Dosha needs to be reduced,
  • And the other two Doshas can be increased to mitigate the imbalance.

So during the Vata season, we just need to reduce Vata and counteract its qualities by adding more qualities of Pitta and Kapha into our daily regimen.

During the Vata season, it’s important to slow down, allow yourself to rest more often, and be gentle with yourself. We’re just coming off the warm summer months, which tend to be full of movement and high energy. This is the time to begin to unwind and get ready for the darker winter months ahead.

Craft A New Routine That Helps Us Adapt:

If we consider the Ayurvedic principle that “Opposites Balance”. The Vata season (which is cool, light, dry, windy, and unpredictable) will be less aggravating if you fill it with

  • Warmth,
  • Oiliness,
  • Deep nourishment,
  • Loving relationships, and a sense of stability,
  • Routine, and groundedness.

Besides, you may find it helpful to familiarize yourself with signs and symptoms of a Vata imbalance so that you are better prepared to address those immediately if they do arise.

Food:

  • Eat warm, moist foods.
  • It’s advisable to begin fall with higher quantities of bitter and astringent foods, but as the season progresses, it’s wise to increase the consumption of heavier, more grounding foods, such as ghee, grains, and root veggies.

Abhyanga:

Oiling the body with warming sesame oil — will help you stay steady and feel warm and comforted. For those who don’t feel they have time for a long Abhyanga on a daily basis, even a bit of oil massaged into the skin after bathing will help to

  • Nourish the skin,
  • Calm down Vata dosha,
  • Provide a subtle protective force field around the body that will last all day long.

It is important to take extra care to keep warm. Warmth means more than putting on a sweater or coat. Heat is most powerful when it radiates from deep within.

  • Practice deep breathing in the morning, this will help reduce anxiety and stress.
  • Indulge in regular massage treatments to keep that Vata grounded and improve your blood circulation. Alternatively, try regular self-massage at home
  • Rise & shine early – Set a manageable exercise routine.  

Another key feature of Vata dosha is,

Irregularity and Mobility.

Vata is that which moves, meaning it is the force behind all movements of the body and mind .Vata dosha is essential because it is responsible for the beating of our hearts, the pumping of our blood, the movement of our thoughts, and the transit of food through the digestive tract. Movement is necessary and healthy. However, too much movement is problematic.

For example, during Fall, you may feel the need for constant change or be more prone to insomnia. These mobile qualities can be balanced by stable qualities such as: keeping a routine – waking up, going to sleep, and eating at the same times every day will help stabilize the expectations of your mind and body.

Rejuvenation: 

  • The transition of the season to fall signals “Rejuvenation” in Ayurveda.

An Ayurvedic rejuvenation involves gentle cleansing and restorative actions include a combination of dietary guidelines, herbal formulations, and supplements to enhance digestion and support toxin removal, therapeutic purgation, and rejuvenation techniques.

  • The liver and gall bladder are the organs associated with pitta dosha. Natural toxins can accumulate and be stored here, impairing the proper function of these organs.

A gentle liver flush can help to restore and rejuvenate liver and gallbladder functions:

  • Herbs to cleanse the liver are generally bitter. 
  • Turmeric clears the liver of obstructions encouraging healthy energy flow.
  • Brahmi calms both the liver and the mind. 
  • Liver Formula of Guduchi, Bhumi amalaki, and many other herbs to help support the proper function of the liver while promoting healthy digestion and the elimination of natural toxins.
  •  Moving into the Vata season, it is wise to include Triphala in your herbal regime.

Does Vata have superpowers? 

Yes! When balanced and healthy, Vata, like each dosha in Ayurveda, comes with its own set of unique gifts. Being predominantly composed of the elements of space and air, Vata is responsible for all movement in the mind and body, both voluntary and involuntary. It represents the space in which existence is possible, and the flow of energy within it.

What are the gifts of Vata?

Creativity, joy, enthusiasm, flexibility, intuition, and true vision. So “Get Energized  and Navigate Vata Season Gracefully”

Aligning with the rhythms of the season will help you achieve inner cleansing and physical and emotional realignment.

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