Balance Yourself in Autumn with Ayurveda

After a steamy and fiery summer, fall brings in a breath of cool fresh air. During this time, our motivation and enthusiasm to start projects, or to try something new is at its peak. While these urges are natural and healthy, when out of balance, you are often left feeling more ungrounded and anxious than usual.  According the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda, (Ayur meaning life, and Veda meaning science) this restlessness that is experienced in the body and mind is a direct reaction to what is happening in the greater nature around us. From the fall Equinox until the winter solstice, the elements of air and space, or Vata in Sanskrit, continues to increase while the elements of earth (Kapha) and fire (Pitta) decrease. Visible examples of this are leaves changing color and decomposing, windiness, and cooler drier air. At the same time, you may notice your own skin becoming drier, and your mind becoming increasingly more agitated. Making conscious and simple changes to your diet, exercise, and yoga routines will get you out of the clouds, back to earth, and into balance.

Eat What Is In Season Now

According to the fundamentals of Ayurveda, like increases like (Laws of Attraction) and the opposite decreases. Therefore, during the Vata time of year, when our air and space elements are more sky bound than ever and dominating, we need to increase the opposite element of earth in our food and diets. Earth foods are those which either grow downward into the ground, or are heavy and sweet in their nature. Ayurveda is directly based on the cycles of nature, and thankfully provides us with an abundance of those very foods during the fall harvest. Eating seasonally is key to staying in balance and getting the most Pana or life force out of your diet and into your body. Below are just a few of specific earthy foods available at your local farmers markets and health food stores:

• Root vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips
• Whole grains: wheat, oats, quinoa, brown rice
• Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds
• Dairy and Soy: Milk, cheese, yogurt, soy milk, tofu
• Lean meats and ocean fish: Chicken, eggs, lean beef, salmon, tuna
• Non trans fat oils: Olive, sesame, ghee, real butter
• Natural Sweeteners: Honey, maple syrup, fruit based sweeteners

Yoga Asana (postures) For Grounding The Mind And Body

As the cold weather starts to move in are bodies naturally want to increase blood flow and circulation to help us stay warm and our joints loose. Practicing yoga is a wonderful way to help improve overall circulation of the blood and lymphatic systems. At the same time, specific yoga postures also work as a grounding agent to help calm the nervous system which is located in the spinal region of the body.

In general emphasizing seated postures and restorative asanas during this time are most effective. A slower and more meditative practice holding postures for at least 5 deep inhalations and exhalations on each side is key to restoring the body and calming the mind. End your practice with a 15 min Savasana or corpse pose. For specific postures and sequences check out Yoga Journal.

Go Lite On Exercise

The fall is a wonderful time to re-connect with nature as well as a sweet time to breath in the cool clean air. Ayurveda suggests moderate outdoor exercise during this time of year, such as hiking, light jogging and biking or walking. Even simple everyday outdoor chores like raking leaves or harvesting your garden can keep you grounded and connected to earth while working your body. Sports and exercise that leave you feeling over stimulated or exhausted often are depleting you of all your vital energies and are not recommended, especially during the Vata time of year.

Make Sleep Your Best Friend

The beauty of fall and winter is that our bodies naturally begin to respond appropriately to the effects of less sunlight. Use this time to your advantage and make going to bed early a priority. Hitting the sack before 10pm and sleeping at least 8 hours will give your body the time it needs to detoxify and rejuvenate itself.

However, in the fall often our sleep is disturbed by our turbulent and restless minds. Cases of insomnia and waking up in the middle of the night are common. To prevent this here are a few easy tips which will help lull you into a deep peaceful sleep from the time your head hits the pillow till the sun peaks through the curtains.

• Before bed massage your body with moisturizing and rich body oils such as almond or sesame for fifteen minutes. Follow your massage by taking a nice hot bath infused with lavender essential oil.
• Drink a mug of warmed milk infused with a pinch of saffron, a tsp of ghee (clarified butter) and when cooled a tsp of honey. This combination acts like a natural sleeping aid and will have you sleeping like a baby all night long.
• Do a 10 minute minimum meditation or pranayama (breath work) practice such as Nadi Sodhna (alternative nostril breathing) before going to sleep rather than reading or watching TV, which re-stimulates your mind.

Self Empowerment

The best way to know what you need during the change of seasons is to use your own internal guide and intuition. Listen to what your mind and body are telling you it needs or desires. It is only through the knowing of our own self that we can truly become our own healer. I encourage you to dwell in the delight of this life affirming process of connecting with yourself and nature with the guidance of Ayurveda.