“It is the summer’s great last heat,
It is the fall’s first chill: They meet.”
– Sarah Morgan Bryan Piatt
Here in NYC, fall is in the air. It’s ever so subtle, but you can sense it. Apples have arrived at the farmer’s market and there’s a palpable excitement. The days have still been hot, but the nights have cooled down a bit and the wind is beginning to blow. Even though the official date of the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is September 22nd, it’s time to prepare for the seasonal shift. Ayurveda would say that it’s critical to our health.
The junctures between the seasons are the perfect time to cleanse the body of any excesses which might have built up, both in the body and the mind. Failure to do this is an invitation for disease to set in, if the body/mind is in a weakened state.
During the summer months of Pitta Season, excess heat is likely to have accumulated and might be expressing itself in any or all of the following ways:
- Skin problems such as rash, eczema, hives, psoriasis or dermatitis
- Feeling of heat trapped in the body, hot flashes
- Burning or itching sensations
- Digestive issues such as heartburn, acid reflux, burping, nausea, loose stools or diarrhea, intense hunger
- Yellow coating on the tongue
- Bleeding gums or canker sores
- Excessive sweating (pungent-smelling)
- Excessive thirst
- Feelings of anger, jealousy, criticism, impatience
None of these symptoms, as harmless as they may seem, should be taken lightly. They are red flags of an imbalance that, left untreated, can lead to more serious problems. Pay attention. You do not want to enter Vata Season with these imbalances. The energy of Vata will only exacerbate them. Vata moves everything (air is the predominant element) and can drive imbalances deeper into the tissues and channels of the body.
I know this firsthand because I am dealing with it right now. I don’t ever remember having issues with heat in my body (except for a brief stint with hot flashes during menopause). I have always been more cold than hot and never seemed too bothered by the heat of summer. My Ayurvedic constitution is Vata-Pitta. But the last two summers I have experienced heat exhaustion, heartburn, and a feeling of heat trapped in my upper body. My Pitta is high, and being driven by my excess Vata. I don’t sweat much and my body seems to be having trouble regulating the heat. It’s been a brutal summer here in NYC and I’m sure that climate change isn’t helping.
To make matters worse, I threw caution to the wind on a family vacation and was eating foods that have long ago exited from my normal diet. My mind was whispering to me “Stop it!”, but the chips and cookies and ice cream were just too tempting. Now I’m having to work really hard to get my digestion back on track by eating simple, easily digestible meals. It’s not as easy as it was when I was younger. And once you have cleaned up your diet and made that mind/body connection, the body is a lot more sensitive when you fall off the wagon.
If any of this relates to you, follow the Pitta-pacifying suggestions in this article and consider doing an Ayurvedic cleanse. Ayurveda recommends a thorough cleansing practice known as panchakarma, but if that isn’t possible, a great alternative is the Zrii Purify cleanse which I have written about. It’s a very doable, effective way to get you on the right track during the seasonal change.
What to expect during Vata Season (Fall/Early Winter)
The principle elements of Vata dosha are air and ether (space).The attributes of Vata dosha are dry, mobile, cold, light, rough, clear and subtle. All of these attributes are heightened during Vata Season. Any movement in the body or mind is driven by Vata energy.
There are so many wonderful things about the Vata dosha. Vatas, when balanced, are creative, joyful, forgiving and flexible. They thrive on change and love to discover and experience new things. It’s no coincidence that school starts back up in the fall, people get excited about new projects, and creativity is in full bloom.
But when the wind begins to blow and the air becomes cold and dry, Vata, the dosha of movement, can easily become unbalanced. I am already feeling it myself. Fall has always been my favorite season, but it also has derailed me many times. Armed with the knowledge of Ayurveda, I can now face these challenges head-on.
Here are a few signs that your Vata dosha might be increased and needs balancing:
- Bothered by cold and wind
- Feelings of heightened anxiety, nervousness and fear
- Excess worrying
- Sleep is interrupted and light
- Excess stimulation is bothersome–i.e. crowds and loud noises
- Intestinal gas, constipation
- Dryness–skin, hair, stools, eyes, etc.
- Feeling disorganized and overwhelmed
- Can’t sit still
- Fatigue following bursts of energy (this is typical of Vata energy)
Like increases like in Ayurveda, so think opposite to bring your Vata back into balance by:
- Dressing warmly and keeping a scarf around your neck, especially if windy. The back of the neck is very vulnerable to wind.
- Eating more warm, gently cooked seasonal foods. Root vegetables are especially grounding for Vatas.
- Avoiding cold drinks. Opt instead for warm beverages like spiced herbal teas, warm spiced milk, or warm lemon water with honey.
- Eating enough healthy fats and oils (especially ghee)
- Avoiding over-exercising, which can aggravate already high-energy Vata. Gentle yoga, tai chi and qi gong are excellent choices.
- Taking quiet walks in Nature is grounding for airy Vatas.
- Meditation and pranayama (breathing practice) can help soothe Vata anxiety and fear.
- Daily self-massage with warm grounding oils like sesame or almond oil is extremely calming to the nervous system. Try my favorite Vata body oil
- Keeping a regular routine with regards to sleeping, eating, working, etc. is imperative for Vatas, who love variety and can easily lose focus. An ideal bedtime is between 9:30–10:00pm.
- Nurturing yourself as much as possible on a daily basis!
While it’s tempting to eat bushels of apples (both apples and pomegranates are great for pulling excess heat out of the body), don’t overdue raw fruits and vegetables at this time as it may create too much dampness in the body if your digestion is not strong. Small amounts, and gently cooked, are especially pacifying for Vata. If you eat local, seasonal whole foods and follow the food guidelines for your constitution, you’ll be on the right track.
I thoroughly enjoyed my summer of waking without an alarm, spending lots of time dreaming–both day and night, and living a pretty unstructured life. Now it’s time for some of those dreams to become a reality. Goodbye Pitta Season, hello Vata Season!
Much love,
Barbara
P.S. Are you unsure of your Ayurvedic constitution? Need a little help getting back in balance? Sign up for a consultation via phone or Skype (or come see me in person in NYC!) Consultations are 20% off when you sign up during the month of September! Contact me HERE and mention coupon code VATA SEASON. First time consultations only.
