Tuesday, September 22 is the Autumn Equinox when the sun crosses the celestial equator and thereafter, we experience more dark than light each day. Seasonal changes are a time when we can acknowledge that nothing lasts forever, everything changes. As we transition, why not understand what could nourish and prepare us during the process? Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga and one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, treats seasonal changes with importance. Seasons are often depicted by what happens in nature. Budding, blooming, reserving energy, growing, dying are all things that we see in nature, as well as in our own bodies. It is useful to live in harmony with the spirit of nature.
In many parts of the country, we experience Fall as the time of year when colors change, leaves drop, the air starts to cool and the lighted day shortens. In Ayurvedic Medicine, Fall is considered the Vata season. Elements of the dosha, Vata are air and space. Qualities are lightness, moving, drying and cooling. Picture a dry leaf gently swirling and falling through the cool, crisp air as it finally reaches the earth. As part of nature ourselves, during this time of year, we too are dry from the summer heat and beginning to retreat from active summer schedules. We know days ahead include wearing warmer clothing, eating warmer foods and spending more time inside. I look forward to the grounding feeling of landing on my sofa with a book and a cup of tea after an active day (think falling leaf landing on the ground).
Autumn is a good time to evaluate what you can release. Take some time to consider what may not be working optimally in your life and make a choice to let go of it, much like the leaf releases from the branch. Perhaps it’s something dietary or a relationship or a nagging thought. You can think of Fall as the time to commit to unleashing what doesn’t serve you well. It may also be beneficial to begin conserving energy by engaging in slower exercise and less activities. We can retreat inward .
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs and large intestine are addressed during this season. The lungs are the yin and the large intestine is the yang, which indicates they work together to balance the body. The lungs are associated with receiving and the large intestine is concerned with elimination, the letting go. Autumn is a good time to begin a routine Pranayama practice,, focusing on deep breathing to keep the lungs healthy, particularly as the West Coast breathes smoky air and the World deals with a virus that attacks the lungs. During an Asana Practice, we take postures addressing the lungs and the digestive organs fostering healthy breathing, elimination and proper nutrient absorption.
Fall is also the time to hydrate, both internally and externally. Warm drinks, soups, oils (lots of good oils) and ample amounts of Fall vegetables are a good source of what the body needs during this season. It is the perfect time to participate in a Cleanse guided by a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner. Giving your digestive system some pampering for a period of time promotes good health. If you’re interested, I can suggest people who know how to guide you through this process. Bathe the skin in your favorite oil (sesame oil is good for the Fall) to hydrate from the outside-in (think the dry leaf again). Wrap yourself in a special blanket as the evenings become cooler and allow yourself time to write a letter or read a book or call a friend. Pamper yourself, slow down, and draw inward a bit.
When imbalanced , Vata energy can become agitated and fretful (think the dry leaf falling through very windy air). Unfortunately, there is plenty on our plates to warrant these troubled feelings, so it’s worthwhile taking the time to understand how we can balance our lives during this season. Fall is a good time to practice tender loving care for ourselves as we change like the beautiful Maple Tree and draw inward for transformation and rejuvenation.