Ayurveda, yoga’s sister science, is not only a beautiful way to sync with nature but a system that supports robust health, immunity and well-being.
Ayurveda (“the science of life” in Sanskrit) teaches that all five elements are present in each cell: water, earth, air, ether and fire. Prana, the life force, moves through each cell to animate it and keep life functioning. We are each born with a unique concentration and combination of the elements. Our environment then causes the elements to increase and shift away from our original balance, which can cause imbalance and, over time, poor health. It’s a nuanced, rich system with a simple guiding aim: return the person to the most authentic version of themselves. Very similar to yoga, but with respect to the constitution of the body.
Early winter: vata season
We are affected by the environment, as each season increases its element within us. At the start of winter, nature is dominated by vata (air and ether). As things dry out after the humid summer and cool down, you’ll feel something similar happening inside you. The skin gets dry and itchy and the lips start to chap. You see the mobility of air as the winds pick up in fall and continue into winter, and that same mobility increases in the mind and body. We start moving faster, overscheduling ourselves and overthinking, and with the mind so full, we may have a harder time focusing. Accidents happen more easily if we don’t support ourselves through the season with lifestyle and diet.
Common signs of excess vata include insomnia, cracking or achy joints, discomfort in the legs, and constipation. If you notice these symptoms increasing, there are simple solutions.
Deep winter: kapha season
As things cool further and we move into deep winter, kapha season arrives (earth and water). This is when the earth is nourished and plant roots take in nutrients to gain mass. Something similar happens in us as we put on our winter weight. Signs of kapha imbalance include sluggish digestion, weight gain and having a hard time getting up and going. If we harness this energy well, we can use this season to build immunity and health. It’s just a matter of knowing how to balance ourselves as the seasons shift.
Lifestyle
- When vata increases, create ritual and a steady schedule, without overscheduling yourself.
- Get enough sleep. Aim to be in bed before 10 p.m., before the “second wind” kicks in.
- Eat at the same times each day.
- Oil the body with warm oil after the shower, followed by a vigorous towel rub. Massaging the feet with an oil suited to your constitution before bed helps bring restful, deep sleep.
- Oil pulling and tongue scraping support oral health and help ground you for the season.
Diet
- Eat breakfast like a prince, lunch like a king and dinner like a pauper: your biggest meal at midday, when digestive fire is strongest, a moderate breakfast and a small, light dinner.
- Drink a cup of warm water before you eat to wake up your digestive juices.
- Favor oatmeal, porridge, stews, kitchari and steamed vegetables suited to your dosha.
- Warm herbal teas such as ginger or tulsi are wonderful this season.
- End the day with golden milk: warm the milk of your choice in a saucepan with turmeric, cardamom, a little pure maple syrup and any other spices that suit your constitution.
Yoga
- Get on your mat regularly. Move a little more slowly to feel grounded, but build enough heat with a strong practice to counteract heavy kapha. The days you feel heavy and unmotivated are the days you need to get on your mat and sweat a little to restore balance.
- Start your day with alternate-nostril breathing (nadi shodhana) to balance the mind.
- Explore fiery sun salutations, arm balances and, if they are part of your practice, inversions to create heat and balance the airy qualities at the start of the season.
As we become mindful of the body and mind, we see how they fluctuate and change. As symptoms arise, we can counteract them with healing Ayurvedic practices that clear toxic buildup and keep us healthy and strong through the new year.
