Finding Your Center in the Vata Season
Restorative Yoga, a peaceful retreat
Autumn marks a time of transition, where the air becomes crisp, the winds pick up, and the world around us begins to dry and settle. In Ayurveda, this season is governed by the Vata dosha, which is composed of the elements of air and space. Vata's qualities are cold, light, dry, and mobile, and when left unchecked, they can lead to imbalances such as dry skin, anxiety, restless sleep, and digestive issues like bloating or constipation.
Understanding Vata is the first step to harmonizing with autumn. This dosha governs all movement in the body, from nerve impulses to the flow of breath, so keeping it in balance is essential for overall well-being.
Simple Tips for Staying Grounded This Fall
The key to pacifying Vata is to embrace qualities that are its opposite: warmth, oiliness, and stability. Here are some simple ways to support your body and mind during the Vata season:
Diet
Embrace Warm, Cooked Foods: Favor warm, moist, and grounding meals like hearty soups, stews, and roasted root vegetables.
Incorporate Healthy Fats: To counteract Vata's dryness, add healthy fats to your diet. Consider using ghee, sesame oil, olive oil, or avocado oil in your cooking.
Use Warming Spices: Spices like ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and cardamom can help kindle your digestive fire and keep your body warm from the inside out. Avoid cold, dry, or raw foods, such as salads, crackers, and cold drinks.
Autumn Recipe: Simple Vata-Pacifying Kitchari
This nourishing Kitchari is a perfect, easy-to-digest meal for the autumn season. It's warm and grounding, with sweet and nutty flavors that help to pacify Vata dosha.
Note on Water & Servings: This recipe yields a soupy, porridge-like kitchari, ideal for Vata balance. For a thicker consistency, start with 5 cups of water instead of 6, and add more if needed. It serves 4-6 people.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp ginger powder or 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup yellow lentils (moong dal), rinsed
½ cup basmati rice, rinsed
6 cups water
A pinch of salt
2-3 pitted dates, chopped
A handful of crushed pistachios for garnish
Instructions:
In a medium-sized pot, heat the ghee over medium heat.
Add the cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle until they turn a shade darker and become fragrant.
Add the ground turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, and ginger. Stir continuously for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
Add the rinsed lentils and rice to the pot. Stir to coat them in the spices and ghee.
Pour in the water and add a pinch of salt. Add the chopped dates. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the lentils and rice are soft and the mixture has a porridge-like consistency.
Serve warm, garnished with crushed pistachios. For added nourishment, you can stir in some steamed seasonal vegetables like carrots or sweet potatoes before serving.
Ayurvedic Vata-Balancing Autumn Tea
This tea is designed to soothe the "Vata" dosha, which can become aggravated during the dry and windy autumn season. It's warming, grounding, and easy to make.
Ingredients
1 cup of water
1/2 teaspoon of fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon of dried ginger powder
1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder
A pinch of cinnamon
A few drops of honey or maple syrup to taste (optional)
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil in a small pot.
Add the fennel, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon.
Reduce heat and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Strain the tea into a mug.
Allow it to cool slightly before stirring in honey or maple syrup, if desired.
Enjoy warm.
Why it works
Fennel: A cooling spice that helps with digestion and soothes the nervous system.
Ginger: Warming and great for digestion, it helps kindle the digestive fire (Agni).
Cardamom: Aromatic and detoxifying, it helps with bloating and gas.
Cinnamon: Warming, it helps improve circulation and adds a touch of sweetness.
Lifestyle
Establish a Routine: Vata's erratic nature is balanced by routine. Try to wake up, eat, and go to bed at consistent times each day.
Stay Warm: Dress in layers and protect yourself from the wind. Cozy up with warm blankets and hot herbal tea.
Practice Self-Massage (Abhyanga): Begin your day with a warm sesame oil massage, which can help calm the nervous system and nourish dry skin. Gently massage the oil into your skin before showering.
Yoga and Movement
Gentle and Grounding Poses: Focus on slow, deliberate movements that promote stability and inner calm. Avoid fast-paced, high-energy yoga.
Try Supported Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana): This pose helps to calm the mind and stretch the spine. Sit on the floor with your legs extended, and use a blanket or bolster under your knees for support if needed. Gently fold forward from your hips, holding the pose for several breaths to release tension and feel a sense of grounding.
Book Recommendation & Creative Project
Book Recommendation: "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. This book's focus on living in the present moment can help soothe the restless Vata mind.
Creative Project: Gather colorful autumn leaves and create a leaf mandala. This project encourages a meditative state and connects you to the beauty of the season.