Autumn is Vata Time
How you can stay grounded and calm in the season of transition
Autumn
officially begins on September 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere this year and is the season associated with Vata because it's a transition time between
summer and winter. Weather in this season is variable, with a tendency to be anywhere
from cool, warm, rainy, windy or dry. Vata's attributes are cool,
windy, dry and especially in relating to the seasons -- variable. When
we move from one season to the next, there is an element of vata in it,
and this is especially true in autumn with the added element of wind.
For the person whose physical constitution ("pakruti") is
predominantly vata, staying centered, ground and calm during this time
of year can be challenging. It's very tempting to race off in all
directions at once which will cause vata-types to lose what focus they
have, and dissipate their already limited energy.
Special
attention needs to be given to digestion now, especially because the large intestine is the primary site for Vata in the body. Vata's other main
locations are the hips, thighs, ears, bones, skin and nerve tissues.
Some common signs of vata aggravation are: emaciation, tremors,
bloating, constipation, insomnia due to restless mind, dizziness, confusion, arthritis,
migrating pains, fatigue, and nervousness.
Overall, maintaining
a regular schedule this season will help significantly. Here are some
additional simple things you can do to offset the additional influence
of autumn to pacify vata.
Nutrition
Eat
your meals at regular times. Vatas do better to eat something every 2-3
hours. Food that is warm, lightly spiced, and moist, with a slightly
heavy quality to it is beneficial. Eating breakfast is essential for
vata individuals, otherwise, they may begin to feel anxious and
experience a drop in blood sugar. Vatas are prone to tiredness caused
by adrenal exhaustion, so it's best to avoid caffeine. Caffeine can
also increase anxiety and nervousness to which the vata type is already
vulnerable. Warm, spiced beverages, vegetables lightly steamed, whole
grain cooked cereals, and some fresh fruits pacify vata.
Although
the other two doshas do well on a vegetarian diet, it's more
challenging for vata types who may require some heavier protein to
ground them. Free-range chicken, turkey, beef, and fish are
acceptable, as are eggs, dairy products (if there's no allergy, the
dairy's from a clean source, and the items are spiced to counteract
dairy's cold nature), and tofu (if tolerated) are possible good sources
of heavier protein. Vata types need to observe how their body accepts
these foods -- some find tofu (a type of lengume) difficult to digest.
Lighter meat such as poultry and fish is preferable to beef, which can
dull the mind when taken in excess.
Lifestyle
Vatas
have a love of movement and change, and unfortunately, they are the least
equipped to deal with these aspects of life in terms of their physical
constitution. The vata individual needs to modify activities so the
joints aren't overly stressed, and make sure not to overdo in general.
For example, although vatas will want to engage in a lot of
strenuous physical activity, over the long haul they'll do better with
yoga, tai chi, and to approach activities such as dance and sports with
moderation and with the goal of protecting their joints.
Beauty Regimen
Vatas
can be especially prone to dry hair and skin this time of year. If you
had to choose one season a year to do abhyanga (Ayurvedic
self-massage), this would be the time of year for vata. Use a dry
brush over your skin while your bath water is running. Apply warmed
sesame oil all over your body (where you can reach), firmly massaging
the tissues using a circular motion with the palm of your hand. Then,
climb carefully into your warm bath and soak for 20 minutes or so,
allowing the oil to be absorbed through your skin. Then soap up as
usual and rinse, drying yourself off with a towel upon leaving the
tub. Apply your favorite moisturizers (click here
to see what I use), or if you're getting ready for bed, re-apply a
small amount of sesame oil to the sternum, belly and the tops of the
feet for grounding.
And as always, be sure to stay hydrated.
Vatas can too easily get accustomed to overall dryness as normal. When
you actually thoroughly re-hydrate, you'll fee the difference. At
first, you may find that you're urinating every 30 minutes, but if
you're persistent, even for just a couple of days, your body will
recalibrate, and you'll return to the optimal schedule of urinating
every 2 hours or so, with the color being pale to medium yellow. If
your urine is completely clear, you're overdoing it and making your
kidneys work a bit too much.
Helpful Remedies and Herbs
Using
vata-pacifying essential oil aromas can be quite effective. Some of
the most soothing for vata are: rose geranium, sandalwood, lavender,
jasmine, fennel, basil, cinnamon, rose, and orange. Vata people can be
extremely sensitive, so just inhaling the scents can be enough. If you
apply the essential oils, it's safest to put them in a carrier oil,
maybe 8-10 drops per 6-8 oz. of oil. Sesame is the oil of choice for
vata, because of its warming, grounding qualities.
Triphala is
helpful to maintain regular elimination and tone the digestive system.
Ginger and fennel are warming and support digestion.
Hingvastak rekindles digestive fire with its warming qualities.
I recommend Banyan Botanicals Ayurvedic formulas. Click here to go to their webpage to order these and other products.
Oatstraw and nettles tea calms and strengthens the nervous system.
Autumn
is a beautiful season, with the leaves turning to gold, red and
orange. It can also be a hectic time as people return to work from
vacation, school begins and the holidays approach. Take care of
yourself to get the most enjoyment out of this very special time of
year!
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