The 3 Ayurvedic Seasons
Ayurvedic divides the year into three seasons based on our body's experiences and unique needs: FALL, WINTER, and SPRING
AutumnFall is the perfect time for an Ayurvedic detox. According to Ayurvedic theory, by autumn we have accumulated heat in our tissues from the warmer summer climate. As the days grow cooler and the leaves begin to change color and fall, we may be notice subtle changes in our inner-self in addition to the more obvious changes in the environment and energy around us - brisk breezes, brittle and dry leaves, and dropping temperatures.
Perhaps you feel more tired, lethargic, or are experiencing more stress. Perhaps you have put on weight, feel bloated, or are experiencing unexplained aches and pains. |
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LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS FOR FALL
TIME FOR CLEANSEThis is an important time to prepare the body for cold months by clearing out accumulated summer heat and storing nourishment in the deep tissue layers to sustain energy through the winter. By cooking with early fall harvest of bitter and astringent foods such as cranberries, dark leafy, and pumpkins help the body expel leftover heat in the body. Appetite grows and temperatures drop, cravings for sweet, the need for moist food helps the body like coconut oil, figs, sesame seeds and oats. Periodically flushing our body's built-up of toxins is a great "maintenance plan" to keep our organs working efficiently. After a Fall cleanse the fat melts away from our tissues, along with the toxins in our body. Following your cleanse with Panchakarma is a great way to take advantage of your cleanse.
NASAL CLEARING TREATMENTSAccording to Ayurveda the neti wash (a gentle form of nasal clearing) and nasya (the nasal application of medicinal oils and powders) can help prevent and treat colds. The neti wash flushes out dust, bacteria, viruses, and excess mucus. Research provides evidence of its effectiveness in treating and preventing children's cold and flu symptoms. How to Use: Mix ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized salt into one cup of filtered, distilled, or pre-boiled warm water into your neti pot. Bend over a sink and insert the pot's tip into your top nostril to form a tight seal. Tilt your head slightly to one side and let the saline pass through your nasal passages and out the lower nostril. Repeat two to three times on each side, gently blowing your nose to release mucus from the nasal passages. Nasya treatments lubricate the sinuses so they are less reactive to dryness and airborne irritants. To try it, tilt your head back as far as you can. Drop two to four drops of oil in each nostril and sniff the oil into the sinuses.
SLOW FLOW YOGAWhen you practice yoga, focus on rejuvenation versus depletion. 15 minutes everyday or every other is great start. If you aren't able to make it to a yoga studio, there are all kinds of yoga videos available online that you can do from the comfort and convenience of your own home. |
DIET MODIFICATIONS TO
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WinterWinter is a more "inward" season, when
nature is at rest, so we can take advantage of this natural tendency by
giving the mind body extra nourishment in the winter. When the seasons
change, we must also change and adapt. Even simple, subtle changes can
make a big difference for a healthier winter season. One reason that
winter is a good season for building immunity is that the digestion is
stronger in cold weather. Winter is the season when nature is ready
to nurture us.
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LIFESTYLE Modifications For Winter
MOVE AND GROOVE IT!Despite cooler temperatures in Winter, strive to get some fresh air and a little movement everyday. Make it a habit to bundle up for 12 -15 minute walk at around the same time every day, preferably close to noon when the sun is high. If you can't get outdoors, consider an indoor workout - anything to get your body movement. Just like in Fall, keeping moving is key during these colder months. Keep the joints warm and lubricated by bundling up and layering. Working just to the point of sweating and then beginning to slow it down is an appropriate amount of activity, according to the Ayurvedic classics. Yoga is a great form of exercise in the winter, as it creates physical (and emotional!) warmth.
AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO WHEAT:
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WINTER DIET TIPS In the cold season, the body's warmth
recedes from the extremities into the core. The core is where our
digestive organs are located and thus, where we convert food to fuel and
keep the "furnace" going. Because the furnace is roaring in the winter
months, our Agni (digestive fire) is at its strongest. This means we are
better equipped to digest heavier foods. Now is the time to be eating
oats or cracked wheat for breakfast, baked oat cookies with ghee, warm
milk with cinnamon and nutmeg, and similar warm, comforting foods. Make
rich creamy soups out of squash, potatoes, yams, lentils, and split
peas. Winter season is the time of sweet, sour, and salty tastes. Due to
the digestive fire being very high during the winter months, people
often feel hungrier than usual. Fortunately, people can actually digest
food easier and more effectively in winter, this providing extra
nourishment to the body. You can take full advantage of this by being
sure to eat wholesome, immune-boosting foods.
NURTURE YOURSELF!While
other seasons are focused on cleansing and purifying, winter is the time
to build up and nourish the body - hair, nails, and skin. Treat
yourself to a spa treatment - see our "Services" page for all kinds of
pampering, nourishing treatments!
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SPRINGSpring brings melting snow, flowing rivers and creeks, and wildlife coming out of their hibernation. The warmer temperatures encourage tender young sprouts and sweet sap running out of the maple trees, signs of new life and growth. Just as nature moves out of the cold dark of winter, Spring is the perfect time for internal cleansing so our bodies can flow, renew, and rejuvenate in this new season.
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According to Ayurveda, spring is the Kapha Season, with Kapha meaning "to stick together." When Kapha is in balance, you feel strong, composed, and stable. When imbalanced, you might feel sleepy, mentally dull, or depressed. You may also experience allergy symptoms, excess phlegm in the lungs or sinuses, nausea, unhealthy weight gain, water retention, or a heaviness in your limbs. Kapha accumulates during the winter (leading to an excess and thus, imbalance), making Spring the perfect time to focus on balancing your Kapha!
In the cold and wet Fall and Winter, the body tends to respond by changing the Kapha. We tend to eat, sleep more, and stay inside. In the Spring we need to shed excess Kapha in the body or risk symptoms of illness or disease.
In the cold and wet Fall and Winter, the body tends to respond by changing the Kapha. We tend to eat, sleep more, and stay inside. In the Spring we need to shed excess Kapha in the body or risk symptoms of illness or disease.
LIFESTYLE Modifications For Spring
SUKHA TREATMENTIn the Spring the body tends to hold on to toxins, causing congestion in your mucous membranes lining the respiratory and digestive tracts. The antidote is to create sukha in the body and mind, which means good space or health and happiness. We do this by eating cleansing, wholesome foods, practicing yoga (asana), and focusing on pranayama breathing.
Reduce SINUS INFLAMMATION with AYURVEDIC Nasya OilSinus inflammation is a major part of why people experience nasal congestion during the allergy season. The mucus membranes in the sinuses get so irritated and inflamed by the pollens and grasses that they either secrete excess mucus or become excessively dry. The Ayurvedic remedy for this irritation is the application of herbal oil to the sinuses. Nasya oil (literally meaning "in the nose" in Sanskrit) comes in different varieties, containing herbs such as eucalyptus, calamus root, and skullcap mixed into a sesame or olive oil. You can easily apply nasya oil twice a day by hanging your head over the edge of the bed and squeezing 3-5 drops into each nostril. After the drops, lie still for a moment while massaging your nose and cheeks in an upward motion towards your forehead. This will allow the oil to drain up into the sinus cavity and lubricate the mucus membranes. Nasya oil has the added benefit of relaxing neck tension and promoting mental clarity, which we can benefit from during any season! *Please note: Nasya is not recommended during pregnancy.
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SPRING CLEAN FROM THE INSIDE OUT Spring Clean From the Inside Out A Spring cleanse can melt away stored fat from our tissues, along with the toxins in our body that built-up during the cooler months.
ANOTHER GREAT TIME TO SQUATSquatting helps free up the good space in the densest parts of the body, the pelvis and legs. The pelvis and the legs represent the earthy, watery part of the body and are prone to retaining fat and water. Be sure not to over-contract (over stress) your muscles or compromise your breathing by transferring tension into our chest, shoulders, or neck, as this risks creating even more Kapha in the body.
SYSTEMIC ENZYMES For ALLERGIESOne of my favorite natural products for allergies is a systemic enzyme formula called Vitalzym. I like to think of systemic enzymes like little Pac-Mans that go around "munching" mucus, inflammation, fibrin, viruses and scar tissue in the body. Not to be confused with digestive enzymes, systemic enzymes reduce inflammation by "munching" the protein chain created by the immune system that manifests as inflammation. While Vitalzym is commonly used for pain as an anti-inflammatory treatment, it also has a remarkable ability to cleanse the blood and reduce congestion. It is great for congestion caused by allergies or colds because it addressed both the irritation and the mucus. Please note: Vitalzym is contraindicated for anyone currently taking anticoagulants medications.
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While implementing all of these treatments is ideal for managing your Spring allergies, do what you can. Each treatment should bring relief and is a step towards restoring your system this Spring.
AYURVEDIC WAY TO HEALING
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