The universe is made up of five elements; being space, air, fire, water and earth. These elements also make up the human body mind complex.
Ayurveda is the traditional healing science of life, which accompanies Hatha Yoga.
Ayurveda describes three characteristics of our constitution called Doshas:
Vata (combination of space and air elements)
Pitta (combination of fire and water elements)
Kapha (combination of earth and water)
Usually we are 2 out of these 3, with 1 more prevalent becoming the dominant Dosha. This balance can be changed with healthful balance to create harmony via changes to lifestyle, sleep, work, diet, movement, season and environment.
In Ayurveda the Autumn season corresponds with two major doshas: Pitta and Vata.
Autumn is considered Pitta when the weather is warm, and Vata when the weather becomes becomes cold.
Vata is characterised by cold, dry, light, clear and moving, sharing similar characteristics to the Metal element in 5 element theory.
As long as the above characteristics are in balance, a person with predominant Vata will feel healthy creative and thriving.
All body types are vulnerable to Vata derangement during the cooler months of Autumn and Winter, and Vata types need to be especially diligent about maintaining balance.
When too much Vata accumulates in body and mind, the imbalance shows up as insomnia, anxiety, depression, dry skin, constipation, arthritis and high blood pressure.
Here are some ideas to keep you balanced, grounded and vibrant during the cold seasons ahead:
Eat a vata pacifying diet with foods that are warming and well cooked using fresh seasonal produce. Pumpkin, carrots, beets, asparagus, lemons, quinoa, rice, mung beans, sesame seeds and almonds are all good for pacifying Vata.
Avoid eating uncooked, raw, chilled and aerated foods such as crisps and popcorn. These agitate vata.
Keep fluids up with warm drinks, boiling hot water, herb teas, fresh ginger root tea, vata tea, cinnamon and liquorice tea.
Keep warm. Vata is a cold and dry dosha, avoid drafts and becoming chilled. Wear soft layers of natural fabrics plus keep your home and work environment heated to assist pacifying excess Vata.
Massage your skin with nourishing pure almond oil, especially your feet, before bed at night.
Sufficient sleep is vital for Vatas, who tend to push themselves to limit of physical and mental exhaustion.
Learn to meditate, to bring the mental over activity to a state of calm.
In 5 Element theory the concepts of Yin and Yang have strong influence over the balanced health states of body and mind. In Ayurveda, the energy system is complex with dominance of three doshas:Vata, Pitta and Kapha which describe stages of energy transformation.
Both health sciences share a long tradition, with 5 elements describing energetic balance in terms of “excess and deficiency”, while Ayurveda names “excitation and disturbance” of the doshas.
Both concur on the importance of understanding the underlying issues while treating the person as a whole. Both traditional health sciences compliment the healing benefits of yoga practice.
Both sciences look to the laws of nature, its wisdom and apply these to human experience.
Being completely present is one of the benefits of practicing yoga, a wonderful tool to cultivate awareness which spills over into our lives. With the number of distractions we live with and allow, its not surprising that most of us barely remember to Breathe…
Next week’s Autumn Yoga Intensive is held at Yoga BC Studio at Boy Charlton Pool Complex, Art Gallery Road, The Domain. Benefit from 5 days of Yoga (Autumnal healing practices) to align balance and harmonise all aspects of mind, body, spirit with the Metal element and pacify Vata. A wise and valuable investment. Dates: Mon 23rd – Fri 28th April. Time: 6.30am – 8.00am. Call me to enquire or book 0414 579 446.
Seasonal Yin Hatha flow class is on every wednesday night 6pm – 7pm at Breathing Space Avalon.
Sunrise Yoga, seasonal energising sequences for everyone, begins on May 1st at Avalon Surf Club.
Of importance to us all in Autumn; the nose is for breathing, use it or lose it…
yours in yoga
Gwynne
Administrator