Hello and welcome to our blog on week 31 we are sharing Fall and winter Skin Care. We wish to thank you all for your consistent support. The dry air in winter, both indoors and out, with heaters and dry winds, takes a toll on skin, hair, and nails. Also, long showers and many hands washing a day, before you know it, the skin is rough, flaky, dehydrated, and itchy. Sometimes it even cracks and hurts. Your hands and face are the most exposed to the elements so they are the ones that deserve extra TLC in the winter. Keep skin healthy and moisturized, here are some TIPS to protect your skin.
EXFOLIATE
Yes, you still need to exfoliate in winter, as a matter of fact, you probably will take the time to pamper your self more in the colder months when is no so many outdoor activities.
Use a gentle scrub or an exfoliating ingredient like milk (lactic acid) or sugar or salt scrubs, below we are sharing a few recipes to remove flaky excess skin cells. After exfoliating, generously apply a nourishing mask and follow with a moisturizer; you’ve broken down your skin’s barrier and emollients can absorb better this way. To keep lips smooth, brush them a couple of times a week with a soft toothbrush or scrub gently with brown sugar scrub with I prefer you can make your own and we will share a few recipes.
Moisturize and Up up the Masks
Add moisture to your face, neck, hands, and your whole body, I like layering skincare I apply serum or oil then moisturizer and doing weekly hydrating masks. Many times I sleep with a gentle mask and Slather on a thick body butter, Coconut oil, or Shea Butter, the goal is to apply a Natural rich product after each shower or bath. And if your hands and feet have painful cracks, the best time to heal is overnight, you can do a mask on your feet and sleep with it on it, just place a pair of socks on it and Voila nice soft feet, I love to soak them first exfoliate and mask UHummmmm!. Apply a thick emollient to your hands also and wear gloves Is fabric Gloves that are specifically created for that so the moisture can absorb all night long.
SHOWER SMART
Long showers and baths strip skin of its natural protective oils. Our skin secretes oily substances that prevent it from drying out as well as protect skin from bacteria and dirt getting in. Add some soap and skin’s oil barrier is stripped away in no time.
Limit time and the temperature of the water when taking a shower or bath limit the time to 15 minutes and go for warm water instead of hot water without those oils, the moisture in your skin easily escapes, leading to dry and itchy skin. The longer and hotter the shower, the faster this process takes place and the more moisture you’re likely to lose. If you can’t live without a long soak, add a generous helping of coconut oil or the oil of your preference to the water and a healthy amount to your skin after you are done pat dry the skin avoid rubbing.
Apply the moisturizer, oil or Body butter when your skin still moist it will penetrate and create a great protecting barrier
Switch to showering at night if possible so your body can replace its oils while you sleep, and here especially don’t use really hot water.
Also, consider a product that contains ceramides. Ceramides help protect and retain the needed moisture for your skin.
We tend to use the hottest water when washing dishes and those dish-washing detergents can be even harsher as they are designed to remove tough oily stains and solid fats. Using gloves is your best bet and a nice nourishing hand cream should always be at the sink. Went and dry especially with hot water will damage not only the skin on your hands but the nails contract and expand and they get dry and crackly.
Dermatologist Sandy Johnson, M.D., says the American Academy of Dermatology recommends limiting your baths and showers to no more than 10 minutes to avoid dehydrating your skin since hot water removes your skin’s natural oils.
Avoid Harsh Soaps
Soap is drying to the skin and for the most part very Alkaline, Skin needs a be on the acid side. A PH of 5 up to 6 is preferable, soap strips away the natural oil barrier and many are filled with harsh chemicals and drying perfumes, and many ingredients that are not really compatible with the Skin health, I never use soap. I use scrubs and an exfoliating pad like the Korean ones, they are sold all over the Internet.
Instead, try a mild, fragrance-free, non-soap cleanser, if you think that you really need to use soap, a soap that is on the healthy side, won’t show lots of lather like soaps and that is a great sign,
Let’s talk about Body Butters:
We already know that our skin is a living organ and the largest one in the body and absorbs what you rub on, so is important to use products that are quality and well researched so we don’t introduce harsh ingredients to it,
Body Butters contain emollients and rich ingredients that cover the skin in a blanket of pure moisture that ultimately lasts longer than any lotions, it acts as a barrier so it helps to trap harsh environment intruders, a great aid in Fall and Winter.
Do you know much about essential omega 3 fats? Body Butters contain this beneficial ingredient. These fats are of great benefit to your body internally and externally, aside from moisturizing they help control inflammation, Body Butters also contain key antioxidants like vitamin C, E, and A among many other great nutrients.
Body Butters are the most efficient when applied to cracked skin, eczema etc, great for chapped lips, cracked heels, lets not leave cuticles out of the game,great to soften stretch marks, scars lets remember to use it after shaving also, in fall and winter I also use it as a makeup remover.
The biggest differencebetween most body butter recipes and common creams/lotions recipes are that body butter is composed of mostly of carrier oils and butter rather than the addition of an aqueous ingredient like water, hydrosols, aloe vera, etc. Another great plus about Body Butters is that are very AFFORDABLE, and last a long time, in a dark container away from extreme temperature changes.
Two types of moisturizers are needed it to maintain healthy skin: humectant and lubricant. Humectants reduce the amounts of lost moisture that the skin naturally goes through especially in Fall and winter. Aside the added bonus is that Body Butters luxurious to the touch.
The one point I like to make here is that by doing your own Body Butters you can add the fragrance of your choice and avoid synthetic ones that can create great health hazards and they contribute to dehydration and possible allergies.
Let’s start with our recipes
Anti-bacterial Body Butter
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of Organic Sesame Oil
6 tablespoon of organic cocoa butter
15 drops of tea tree oil
and if you don’t like the smell of Tea Tree oil add some Lavender
In a glass container like Pyrex create a double boiler, by placing water in a pan and placing your Pyrex container,avoid from getting your ingredients to hot, place your cocoa butter and use enough heat just to melt the butter, once that is done remove from the heat and add the sesame oil and the essential, always avoid to boil any of the ingredients, when done mixing pour it to a sanitized dark container the mixture will solidify and you can proceed to store it in a cool dark place to preserve its life.
Orange Chocolate Whipped Body Butter
Ingredients
1/2 a cup of Coconut Oil
1/2 a cup Cocoa Butter
20 drops of Orange Essential Oil
Instructions
Melt the Cocoa Butter in a double boiler in a Pyrex bowl.
Add in the Coconut Oil, stir well.
Add the orange essential oil, stir well.
Cover and allow to solidify.
Once it is solidified beat it with a hand mixer until fluffy.
Add the mixture to a sanitized jar preferably dark with a lid.
Store out of the sunlight in a cool dark place.
Use this as a shaving cream or as a prep before or during showering.
Paradise Tropical Body Butter (for dry skin)
Ingredients
Yields roughly 8 oz of whipped body butter
•1/2 cup Shea nut oil
•1/2 cup mango butter
•2 TBSP organic pomegranate seed oil
•1/2 oz Sandalwood essential oil
•1 tsp non-GMO vitamin oil
Directions
Place shea nut oil, mango butter, and pomegranate seed oil into the top of a double boiler (a pyrex measuring bowl sitting above a pot of simmering water) make sure that it doesn’t boil use low heat.
Heat on medium and stir until all the butter is melted together, leaving no chunks of butter behind. I like using a small silicone spatula.
Once melted, turn off heat and add in the essential oil when it has cool down and you can still mix, otherwise the essential oil will dissipate, and vitamin E oil.
Wait until it starts thickening, about 20-40 minutes., just leave it until it does.
Using a hand-held mixer, whip up your oils and butter until you reach a nice consistency.
Once fluffy, scoop your whipped butter into sanitized containers preferably the kind that doesn’t allow light in, or place body butter in a plastic bag, clip the corner, and squeeze into a container of choice. You can find a number of different containers that will hold your body butter perfectly.
Eminence Organics Cranberry Pomegranate Sugar Scrub (8.4oz) works on multiple levels to improve the health and appearance of your skin. While gently exfoliating dead skin cells and other impurities, the powerful blend of botanicals infuses the skin with moisture, nutrients, antioxidants, anti-aging formulations, and brighteners to reveal a toned, even complexion with fewer wrinkles and a youthful glow.
The Eminence Organics Chocolate Mousse Hydration Masque (2oz) is a relaxing, sensory experience and hydrating facial treatment in one. You’ll love the way the decadent chocolate overwhelms your senses while delivering to your skin the deep-moisture and vital nutrients it needs to look gorgeous.
Revitalizing, hydrating and refreshing, Eminence Organics Apricot Whip Moisturizer infuses the skin with moisture and nourishes the skin with vitamins and antioxidants for powerful hydrating and anti-aging effects.
Eminence Organics Mimosa Champagne Massage Oil is a luxurious way to give your skin a health-enhancing, beautifying experience. With ingredients that shower the skin with moisture and infuse it with antioxidants and vitamins, you’ll love the way your skin looks and feels when you massage it in.
On week 29 let’s take a look at what the ancient system of Ayurveda is about and what modalities are available to us to enter fall in an aware synergy with this season so we can live in harmony and wellness. When we live conscious of mind, body and spirit we are whole and we can function from a well-sustained energy that supports us in every aspect of our lives.
Let’s take a tour of our body and what goes on in fall, so with this information, we can be aware of how we work with the earth’s rhythms in the different seasons.
Our Muscles & Colon
This video can truly explain why we have pains, dryness and so much more and how easy is to correct it
Fall the opposite of spring season, by late September our reduced blood flow leaves your muscles inducing fatigue. In this season the days start to grow darker earlier, a comfortable evening curled up on the couch or our beds with a favorite movie or a book seems like a thing to do. Smooth muscle tissue, including the tissue of our colon, become sluggish when the temperature and pulse rate drop. The colon, also sensitive to stress, holds the wear and tear of the autumn season.
Indigestion & Electrolytes
A process called cold diuresis (Diuresis is the physiological process by which urine production in the kidneys is increased as part of the body’s homeostatic maintenance of fluid balance.)this action causes the fluid loss in Autumn. Cold diuresis is a response to vasoconstriction. When our blood vessels constrict, it increases blood pressure much as squeezing the air inside a balloon. The kidneys then proceed to release the extra pressure by removing fluids from circulation and emptying them into the urine. A summer of hot sweating followed by cold diuresis may leave you dehydrated and electrolyte deficient. Here is important to keep in mind to add foods that can support electrolyte, juiciness and salty taste encourages water retention for dry Vata. Vata types should avoid dry foods in the fall altogether.
Cold Feet & Warm Socks
Some people get cold feet even when wearing extra warm clothes to compensate. Too much of tight clothing like socks can’t coax blood out of hibernation once it moves to the core. The body at this point may simply lack confidence or strength to maintain core temperature and warm our feet. A sweater to heat the core does a better job than an extra pair of socks to cure cold feet. Lifestyle changes, such as warm clothes and indoor heating, can convince the body it has heat to spare. Additionally, daily oil massage in the morning before bath coats the skin and prevents evaporation. As in a summer sweat, evaporation causes significant heat loss. Oil massage thus helps retain heat by creating a protective barrier, let’s be aware of the kinds of oil that can help with this process. Once the pathological cold has penetrated our system, hot baths may be the only way to restore circulation. A pinch of turmeric keeps circulation strong. Sour lemons in morning tea convince sweat glands and stomach glands to stay juicy, Ginger lemon tea is a great aid here.
Fall is a time of transition. It is evident everywhere around us. Trees and shrubs are quietly undressing in preparation for the winter in their beautiful rhythm of the seasons. There is a subtle browning of the earth she goes within. Temperatures, which, just a few weeks ago were raging with the intense heat of summer, are beginning to hint at the telltale crispness of autumn. And there is the wind: slowly gathering strength, carrying the tides of winter on its breath to its role in nature. Fall harbors a certain emptiness that can leave us feeling exposed and a little raw, but it is also filled with possibility—a time when we, too, can strip down to a quiet essence of being and savor the simplicity of life and heart connection. The fall brings with it a predominance of air element and prana (the vital breath, the subtle essence of life) is abundant in the atmosphere at this time. Autumn is dry, it can be rough, windy, erratic, cool, subtle, and clear. These are all qualities shared by Vata dosha, and because like increases like, autumn is considered a Vata season. This same principle illustrates why taking a few simple steps to balance Vata dosha this fall can be tremendously beneficial to be in balance
Emotions, the Mind, Inspiration time
The fall is a time for inspiration and to work on new ideas. The movement of blood from the extremities back to the core increases blood flow to the mind a very interesting process of the intelligence of our body. The opportunity to reflect on the last few months could stir up emotions as well. The Wind, sudden temperature shifts, and the school season also provoke higher stress levels this time of year. According to Ayurveda, keeping the nervous system stable through fall is our number one tool for maintaining strong immunity and staying healthy. Ashwagandha is Ayurveda’s most important herb for Vata-type anxiety and Chywanprash helps build immunity.
Routine & Flexibility
When we wear oneself ragged in Fall social calendar it can result in a compromised immunity for flu season. Alternatively, relaxation and downtime free up the energy to help the body prepare for winter. Skipping meals, staying up late, and irregular mealtimes, toxic process food that had never seen sun or soil, create stress and deficiency. Here is a great contributor to check, Joyful Belly offers a nurturing fall program called Restoring Youth and Vitality to prepare the body for winter.
Ayurveda is an ancient science based on elemental principles that pertain to life on earth and the connection to it with body, mind, and soul is no separation here. Ayurveda recognizes the elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth as the building blocks of the natural world. According to Ayurveda, these five elements pair-up in three combinations to form the primary forces of nature called doshas. Ether and air from Vata Dosha. Fire and water make up pitta dosha. Water and earth create Kapha dosha which we all possess in ourselves.
The Vata Dosha is the one connected with Fall lets find out what Vata is about:
Vata dosha predominates, movement and change are characteristic of the nature of Vata. You tend to always be on the go, with an energetic and creative mind. As long as Vata is in balance, you will be lively and enthusiastic, with a lean body, Energy that controls bodily functions associated with motion, including blood circulation, breathing, blinking, and your heartbeat.
• In balance: There are creativity and vitality.
• Out of balance: Can produce fear and anxiety.
Vata Predominant Types: Creative; Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge, but also quick to forget, Slender; Tall and a fast-walker; Tendency toward cold hands and feet, discomfort in cold climates; Excitable, lively, fun personality; Changeable moods; Irregular daily routine; High energy in short bursts; Tendency to tire easily and to overexert; Full of joy and enthusiasm when in balance; Responds to stress with fear, worry, and anxiety, especially when out of balance; Tendency to act on impulse; Often have racing, disjointed thoughts; Generally have dry skin and dry hair and don’t perspire much.
Physical Characteristics
Those with a predominance of Vata dosha usually have a thin, light frame and excellent agility. Their energy comes in bursts and they are likely to experience sudden bouts of fatigue. Vata’s typically have dry skin and hair and cold hands and feet. They sleep lightly and their digestion can be sensitive. When the Vata dosha becomes imbalanced, it manifests in the body as weight loss, constipation, hypertension, arthritis, weakness, restlessness, and digestive challenges.
Emotional Characteristics
Vatas love excitement and new experiences. They are quick to anger but also to forgive. When Vata are in balance, they are energetic, creative, and flexible. They also take initiative and are lively conversationalists. When unbalanced, they are prone to worry and anxiousness and often suffer from insomnia. When they feel overwhelmed or stressed, their response is, “What did I do wrong?”
The influence of Vata’s ether and air contributions, we can feel light, carefree and creative or spacey, scattered, and unstable. The etheric nature of Vata creates a sense of space, in which you may feel free or lost if it is not balanced. The airy aspect of Vata can inspire productivity or promote anxiety. Ayurveda teaches that like increases like much like the law of attraction, isn’t it?. If you are dominantly Vata by nature or are consistently influenced by Vata, you are more likely to experience the negative effects of excess Vata during the Vata season.
Who determines what Dosha we are and where it comes from?
Here is a quick test to find out what Dosha you are:
Here is a great site to determine what dosha you are:Chopra Dosha Quiz
Prakriti is our basic constitution. This is determined at the moment of conception and relates to your genetically inherited physical and emotional qualities. Prakriti specifically relates to those qualities, characteristics, and tendencies that are the stable makeup of ourselves. For instance, while you may experience temporary changes, like gaining or losing ten pounds, feeling nervous or irritable, developing a cold or flu,to mention a few, in the natural course of life you will never gain or lose five inches on your height or experience a change of eye color unless is a major affection, but not in our normal state of health.
Prakriti is enlivened and described by three main doshas or forces: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These are loosely translated as Air, Fire, and Earth, respectively. Each of us has all three doshas in our constitution, in our unique proportions.
In Ayurveda, seven dosha-predominant Prakritis are described: Vata-predominant,Pitta-predominant,Kapha-predominant;
Three dual Prakritis,
We’re two doshas are equally, or nearly equally predominant: Vata-Pitta predominant, Pitta-Kapha predominant
And Vata-Kapha predominant
And one Prakriti that has all three doshas equally prominent: Vata-Pitta-Kapha predominant.
Note: Even a thoughtful test cannot take the place of an evaluation by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. The results of this test may give a good indication of the primary doshas in your Prakriti but the evaluation of your practitioner may be more accurate.
Vata governs movement in the body, the activities of the nervous system, and the process of elimination.
As the external environment changes during the Vata season, your internal environment can experience the same type of changes; dry leaves, dry skin; crackly leaves, crackly joints; shorter days, shorter attention span; colder days, colder extremities, windy days, windy bowels. The qualities of Vata dosha are found in the disorders that are common at this time of year. By observing the processes of Mother Nature, you can better understand the processes of your body, mind, and spirit.
Applying the Ayurvedic principle that opposite actions create balance, you can maintain balance during the Vata season by emphasizing lifestyle and food choices that are grounding, stabilizing, warming, moisturizing and softening. You can stay calm and connected in this whirlwind season with a consistent practice that includes nourishing and protective measures. Ayurveda promotes simple and regular routines as having a deeper effect on balancing Vata than an ‘as needed’ approach.
Offered here are Ayurvedic recommendations for enjoying the Vata season with stability and serenity:
Fall is a time of transition. It is evident everywhere around you. Many trees and shrubs are quietly undressing in preparation for the winter. There is a subtle browning of the earth. Temperatures, which, just a few weeks ago were raging with the intense heat of summer, are beginning to hint at the telltale crispness of autumn. And there is the wind: slowly gathering strength, carrying the tides of winter on its breath. The autumn harbors a certain emptiness that can leave us feeling exposed and a little raw, but it is also filled with possibility—a time when we, too, can strip down to a quiet essence of being and savor the simplicity. The fall brings with it a predominance of air element and prana (the vital breath, the subtle essence of life) is abundant in the atmosphere. Autumn is dry, rough, windy, erratic, cool, subtle, and clear. These are all qualities shared by Vata dosha, and because like increases like, autumn is considered a Vata season. This same principle illustrates why taking a few simple steps to balance Vata this fall can be tremendously beneficial.
Ayurveda considers a seasonal routine an important cornerstone of health, year around. Balancing the nature of your local climate with lifestyle choices that offset the potential for seasonally-induced imbalances is one of the simplest ways that you can protect your well-being. But keep in mind that the seasons vary widely from one place to another, as do the qualities that they engender. “Vata season” is whatever time of year most embodies the attributes that characterize Vata dosha: dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, and clear (or empty). Autumn is the classic Vata season. However, depending on where you live, the dry and expansive qualities of Vata may be prevalent components of your environment as early as summer, and the autumn may be followed by a very drying, cold, isolating, and/or windy winter.
Beginning to observe your environment from this qualitative perspective empowers you to respond to both daily and seasonal fluctuations in your local climate. The truth is that many of us adopt seasonally appropriate habits already, without even being conscious of doing so. For instance, summer is a time when we often enjoy salads and watermelon in abundance, both perfect antidotes to the heat and intensity of the summer. Whereas by October and November, we’re often baking delicious pumpkin bread and dining on hearty, grounding soups—foods that naturally subdue the dry, light, and erratic nature of the fall. By making diet and lifestyle choices that counter the effects of each season, you can better maintain your internal sense of equilibrium throughout the year
If we consider the Ayurvedic principle that opposites balance, Vata season (which is cool, light, dry, windy, and unpredictable) will be less aggravating if you fill it with warmth, oiliness, deep nourishment, loving relationships, and a sense of stability, routine, and groundedness. In addition, you may find it helpful to familiarize yourself with signs and symptoms of Vata imbalance so that you are better prepared to address those immediately if they do arise. The following recommendations are appropriate for most people, but if you know your constitution or your current state of balance, you can tailor your seasonal routine appropriately. Below the general recommendations that follow, you will find links to more dosha-specific considerations.
Your diet is a powerful way to soothe Vata this fall. Substantive, oily, nourishing foods that are high in protein, high in fat, brought to life with warming, stimulating spices, and served hot, will go a long way toward maintaining your internal reserves of moisture and keeping you grounded through the Vata season. You’ll also want to favor the sweet, sour, and salty tastes. In general, eat mushy, soft foods and garnish them generously with ghee or oil. Breakfasts of cooked grains—like oatmeal, tapioca, cream of rice, and cream of wheat—are perfect at this time of year. Lunches and dinners that include steamed vegetables, hearty grains, soups, and stews are grounding and moisturizing. If you eat meat and eggs, this is one of the best times of year to enjoy them. Dairy products and most nuts and seeds are also beneficial. In general, you’ll want to reduce your consumption of raw vegetables, cold and frozen foods, as well as the bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes. It is best to minimize light, cooling, and drying foods like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts, leafy greens, white potatoes, beans, popcorn, crackers, millet, and dried fruit. If you do eat these foods, eat them in moderation and make sure that they are soaked, well cooked, or served with ghee.
You may find that, during the course of the fall, you’ll naturally want to increase your intake of food, but be careful to follow the lead of your appetite and digestion. This is also a great time of year to do a mono diet type of cleanse. Vata requires adequate nourishment so it is best to avoid fasting.
The following is a list of ideal Vata season foods:
Fruits to Favor
Apples (cooked)
Avocados
Bananas
Dates
Figs
Grapefruit
Grapes
Lemons
Limes
Mangoes
Oranges
Papayas
Prunes (soaked)
Raisins (soaked)
Tangerines
Vegetables to Favor
Beets
Carrots
Chilies
Garlic
Okra
Onions
Pumpkins
Squash, Winter
Sweet Potatoes
Grains to Favor
Amaranth
Basmati Rice
Brown Rice
Oats
Quinoa
Wheat
Legumes to Favor
Kidney Beans
Miso
Mung Beans
Tur Dal
Urad Dal
Nuts and Seeds to Favor
All nuts and seeds are supportive of vata season
Dairy to Favor
Butter
Buttermilk
Cheese
Cream
Ghee
Kefir
Milk (not cold)
Sour Cream
Yogurt
Animal Products to Favor (If You Eat Them)
Beef
Buffalo
Chicken
Crab
Duck
Eggs
Fish
Lobster
Oysters
Shrimp
Turkey
Venison
Oils to Favor
Almond Oil
Ghee
Olive Oil
Peanut Oil
Safflower Oil
Sesame Oil
Sweeteners
Honey
Jaggary
Maple Syrup
Molasses
Rice Syrup
Sugar (Raw)
Spices to Favor (All Spices Are Good for Vata Season)
Allspice
Anise
Asafoetida (Hing)
Basil
Bay Leaf
Black Pepper
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Clove
Cumin
Dill
Garlic
Ginger
Mustard Seeds
Nutmeg
Oregano
Paprika
Parsley
Rosemary
Saffron
Turmeric
Vata Season Lifestyle Choices
One of the most effective ways to support Vata is by establishing a daily routine. Try to do the same things (wake up, exercise, eat meals, go to bed, etc.) at roughly the same times each day. Set the tone for your day by rising early, taking full advantage of the silence, stillness, and peace that are intrinsic to the early morning hours. Then, you can calm your nervous system, awaken your tissues, and ground your energy by massaging your skin with warm, organic Sesame Oil. Follow this practice with a warm, relaxing shower, leaving a coat of oil on the skin to absorb throughout the day. Steam baths and humidifiers can help to preserve internal moisture as well. Some gentle yoga and ten to fifteen minutes of meditation will further your sense of stability and wellness. If you enjoy a little fragrance, vetiver, geranium, and citrus essential oils are very appropriate this time of year. Dress in autumn colors when appropriate—reds, yellows, oranges, and whites—and wear enough clothes that you stay warm throughout the day. When you step out into the elements, cover your head and ears to protect them from the biting wind and cold. If possible, minimize your exposure to drafts, loud noise, aggressive music, fast driving, and excessive sexual activity. Try to be in bed by 10 p.m. so that you get plenty of rest before dawn.
Vata Season Exercise
The best times of day to exercise are in the early morning and evening hours (6–10 a.m. and 6–10 p.m.). Vata is very easily aggravated by fast, mobile activities, so consider slow, gentle, strengthening forms of exercise instead. Walking, hiking, swimming, biking, yoga, and tai chi are good choices, provided they are done at an appropriate level of intensity. Ideally, exercise at about fifty to seventy percent of your capacity, breathing through your nose the entire time. And remember to balance your activity with adequate relaxation and sleep so that your tissues can rejuvenate properly.
Vata Season Yoga
Incorporating a sense of warmth, grounding, stability, and focus on your yoga practice has a profoundly calming effect on Vata and can work wonders during Vata season. Your breath should be deep and fluid. If you practice pranayama (yogic breathing exercises), alternate nostril breathing is very balancing this time of year. In your asana practice, favor Vata-pacifying yoga. Warm up slowly and include some joint rotations. Move with intention and fluidity—grounding the hands and the feet on the mat whenever possible—and avoid jumping between postures. Gentle flows like a relaxed sun salutation are perfect for Vata. You can also favor standing and balancing poses such as mountain, warrior I, warrior II, and tree pose to increase stability and strength. Connect with the earth beneath you in poses such as thunderbolt, cat-cow, cobra, and child’s pose, and quiet the mind with forward bends such as intense westward stretch. Gentle inversions and restorative poses such as legs up the wall are also very good for Vata. Close your practice with a long corpse pose, covering yourself with a blanket so that you don’t get chilled.
Herbal Support for Vata Season
Taking Chyavanprash in the morning can help to reinforce immunity, strength, and energy during the autumn season. Ashwagandha is stabilizing to the mind and nervous system, and can promote sound sleep, strong digestion, proper elimination, and appropriate strength; it is available as a powder, tablet, and liquid extract. Similarly, herbal teas made from ginger, licorice, or a combination of cumin, coriander, and fennel, can help to promote proper digestion and warmth. Another grounding, vitalizing herbs and formulas include Dashamula, Haritaki (also available in tablets), Triphala (also available in tablets), and Vidari. The following herbal tablets are also generally quite supportive during Vata season: Healthy Vata, Joint Support, Mental Clarity, Stress Ease, Tranquil Mind, and Vata Digest.
More Specific Support for Your System
The following links to dosha-specific recommendations are intended to assist you in offering more personalized support to your particular constitution. If you don’t know yours, consider taking our simple Prakriti quiz, and then choose the appropriate link below to further customize your seasonal routine.
Remember, a seasonal routine is an investment in your own health and vitality. And while the specifics may vary from one person to the next, we all stand to benefit from aligning ourselves with the rhythms of nature throughout the year. This fall, embrace the unique gifts of autumn and—with the help of an appropriate seasonal routine—enjoy it from a place of stability, humility, and gratitude.
Ayurveda is an ancient science based on elemental principles that pertain to life on earth. Ayurveda recognizes the elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth as the building blocks of the natural world. According to Ayurveda, these five elements pair-up in three combinations to form the primary forces of nature called doshas. Ether and air from Vata Dosha. Fire and water make up pitta dosha. Water and earth create Kapha Dosha.
Under the influence of Vata’s ether and air contributions, you can feel light, carefree and creative or spacy, scattered, and unstable. The etheric nature of Vata creates a sense of space, in which you may feel free or lost. The airy aspect of Vata can inspire productivity or promote anxiety. Ayurveda teaches that like increases like. If you are dominantly Vata by nature or are consistently influenced by Vata, you are more likely to experience the negative effects of excess Vata during the Vata season.
As the external environment changes during the Vata season, your internal environment can experience the same type of changes; dry leaves, dry skin; crackly leaves, crackly joints; shorter days, shorter attention span; colder days, colder extremities, windy days, windy bowels. The qualities of Vata dosha are found in the disorders that are common at this time of year. By observing the processes of Mother Nature, you can better understand the processes of your body, mind, and spirit.
Applying the Ayurvedic principle that opposite actions create balance, you can maintain balance during the Vata season by emphasizing lifestyle and food choices that are grounding, stabilizing, warming, moisturizing and softening. You can stay calm and connected in this whirlwind season with a consistent practice that includes nourishing and protective measures. Ayurveda promotes simple and regular routines as having a deeper effect on balancing Vata than an ‘as needed’ approach.
