Ayurvedic Practices for Winter Wellness
The autumn to early winter transition is here: longer nights, shorter days and chillier weather. Today, we’ll discuss a few practices to help you ease into Vata Season while staying grounded and peaceful. I studied Ayurvedic principles in my first teacher training more than ten years ago. Since then, I’ve incorporated many aspects into my routine through seasonal transitions. Let’s take a deeper dive together.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a holistic healing system commonly referred to as the sister science of yoga. Ayurveda has roots in Indian culture and prioritizes healthy living, lifestyle practices, and herbal remedies to promote mind, body, and spirit wholeness. It is known as “The Science of Life” and originated in India more than 5,000 years ago (Source). By using tools such as meditation, yoga, massage and balanced dietary habits, the Ayurveda system aims to prevent disease rather than to treat it. According to Ayurveda, there are three principle energies in the body which show up in varying degrees. These energies are: vata, pitta, and kapha. “Vata is the energy of movement; pitta is the energy of digestion or metabolism and kapha, the energy of lubrication and structures” (Source). Vata is governed by the elements of air and ether, pitta is governed by the element of fire and kapha is governed by the elements of earth and water. Each individual has a primary, secondary and third dosha. An excess or deficiency of a certain energies can lead to disease and health issues. Your current state of balance is known as vikriti and your Ayurvedic constitution is known as prakriti. The Ayurvedic system investigates how to create mind, body and consciousness synergy to maintain overall balance.
The Seasons
Fall and Early Winter: Vata Season
Late Winter: Kapha Season with Vata Undertones
Spring: Kapha Season
Summer: Pitta Season
How to Create Balance in Vata Season
Vata season occurs from autumn to early winter. This period is characterized by transition, dryness, and withdrawal. Winter steps into the air element and prana is abundant (Source). A balanced routine and subtle lifestyle shifts can help you create stability in the season. Embrace the subtle shift and heed the invitation to redirect your energy.
Routine
Stay warm internally and externally
Create a grounding and stable morning and evening routine to help you begin and end the day
Establish a daily routine which includes wake up, movement, meals and bedtime
Movement
Balance fluid asana with a slower yin based practice
When practicing vinyasa, focus on grounding standing postures and make time for a long savasana to reset (for a personalized approach to practice, schedule a private session with me here)
Stay consistent with daily meditation, 5-10 minutes every morning
Try Nadi Shodhana or alternate nostril breathing to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain, feminine and masculine, Ida and Pingala
If you’re feeling uninspired or the heaviness of the season, practice Kapalabhati or Bhastrika to increase heat, circulation and creativity
Nourishment
Choose room temperature or warm water, tea, and other warm drinks to help stimulate digestion and warmth inside
Switch from juices to broths and smoothies to pureed soups
Eat warm nourishing foods with healthy fat and spices
Minimize raw vegetables, cold and frozen foods
Drink ginger tea for immunity
Practices
Consider abhyanga or an oil massage with sesame oil — benefits include improved circulation, softer skin, better sleep and overall health
Create space for rest, reflection, and journaling to turn your attention from the external to the intternal
Go to bed earlier and rise later with the sun
Take time for creative solitude
Thank you for being here! To continue your journey: Visit my YouTube channel to practice with me. Contact me to schedule a private session. Stay up to date on Instagram. To view my yoga offerings, click here.