The Season of Vata

Happy Autumn! In Ayurveda, Autumn is the season of Vata – the air begins to chill, the weather becomes more dry and windy. Foods available now include root vegetables, hearty winter squashes and seeds and nuts. These rich, fatty and oily foods provide balance during a dry and cold season. It’s the time of year to enjoy warm soups and stews, drink warm teas like ginger and cardamom and to slow down and spend more time indoors creating and planning for the next season.

Vata dosha is made of the elements of Air and Space. The qualities of Vata include dry, cold, rough, quick, moving, changeable. It’s good to balance these qualities this time of year with things that ground you, warm you, are stable, allow you to slow down, and give you needed rest. So think about spending time with people who are supportive, eating warm foods and teas, hot tubs, saunas and massages are great, as is yoga nidra and restorative yoga. Make sure you get enough rest and don’t deplete yourself at this time of year, as you will wear out your body’s energy and make your immune system more susceptible to colds and flu. Eating whole grains like oatmeal, quinoa, and seeds like flax and pumpkin as well as dried fruits will assist with proper digestion and elimination. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid foods that cause constipation.

Autumn and early winter are a wonderful time to practice pratyahara – set aside time to block out external stimulation and cultivate your ability to meditate as well as create. People who are primarily Vata dosha are very creative and artistic – but all of us can take advantage of this time of year to start new projects, learn new skills, read books and poetry, and stimulate the mind – perhaps creating a Vision board for future projects and ideas to blossom in the coming year. If you would like to learn more about Vata dosha and how to find balance during the Season of Vata, I am offering a workshop at The Personal Wellness Center on Saturday, November 10 from 10am – 12pm exploring asana, pranayama, yoga nidra, and self-care techniques to balance Vata Dosha. For more information and to register, please visit: https://thepersonalwellnesscenter.com/services/lotus-yoga-studio/