Fall and Winter Seasonal Tips

Vata Season Panchakarma Retreats:

November 8-11, 2007

December 13-16, 2007

Winter brings with it the joy of seeing rosy-cheeked children playing in the snow, of gathering with friends in cozy settings, and celebrating the holidays with loved ones while enjoying hearty dinners. All of these festivities occur during Vata season, which is known for its cool, dry, and windy qualities. Another important quality of Vata is that it greatly influences the other doshas (Pitta and Kapha), so that a balanced Vata can help maintain balance throughout the entire physiology.

In general, we will experience the most difficulty in the season which matches our primary body type: fall/winter for Vata-types; summer for Pitta-types; spring for Kapha- types. This means that we should be particularly faithful to our prescribed constitutional regimens and, in addition, include measures which honor the season.

Maintaining Vata equilibrium is of utmost importance for everyone regardless of prakriti because Vata dramatically effects the other doshas. Vata is often the initial dosha to become deranged and it also causes the early stages of most diseases. Approximately sixty per cent of all human illnesses are attributable to Vata.

Remember that Vata governs all movement in the mind and body, it is out of balance, you may experience anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, constipation, depression, joint pain, light-headedness, dry hair or skin, and body aches.

Abhyanga (Self Oil Massage)

Although we are encouraged to perform this vitalizing technique year-round, abhyanga is especially important in the Vata season. The skin is related to the sense of touch which is related to the Air Element. Therefore by pacifying the qualities of Air (cool, dry, mobile, light, rough) we can decrease Vata dosha. For the massage to be effective, an appropriate Vata oil must be used. This can include: sesame, mustard, ksheerbala, narayana, castor, and olive oils. Remember to always warm the oil first as this helps open the srotas (channels) and allows the unimpeded flow of prana (vital energies). Ayurvedic sages have identified 107 specific points located throughout the body through which prana must flow for health to be maintained. These are known as Marma points. If the flow of prana through one or more Marma points is blocked or disrupted, disease will manifest.

Diet

Favor foods which are warm, oily, and somewhat heavy. Foods should emphasize the sweet, sour, and salty tastes while the pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes should be reduced (but not totally eliminated!). Drinking warm liquids is a simple preventive measure that cannot be over-emphasized. Hot water should be sipped throughout the day. An effective Vata-reducing drink for the evening is as follows: Boil one cup of low-fat milk, 1/3 tsp each of ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg. Strain into a cup and add 1 tsp maple syrup (or other sweetener).

Exercise Moderately and Regularly

To prevent excess Vata from accumulating in the physiology we must maintain a regular program of exercise during the fall/winter. We must not overdo any form of vigorous aerobic exercise, since that would aggravate the Air element and Vata. Therefore avoid long-distance running, trampoline, spinning, and other forms of exercise which suspend the body in the air. Recommended exercises include those which are more grounding: Hatha yoga, walking, free-weight or nautilus machines, cross-country skiing, or tai chi.

Aromas, Herbs, and Daily Routine

In Ayurveda, aromas of essential oils and resins derived from plants are used to pacify aggravated doshas (bioenergies). In the Vata season, the best methods to use are to mix a few drops of oil into a mister containing water and spray to freshen the room air, or to use a pot pourri pot with water and a few drops of an appropriate essential oil. The following essential oils are recommended for Vata season: lavender, geranium, juniper, tulsi, cedarwood, patchouli, or ylang-ylang.

It is often wise to supplement our diets with one or more gentle herbs during Vata season to maintain proper digestion, elimination, and to prevent excessive accumulation of cold, dry, light, and mobile energies. In addition, Vata season can create conditions for the accumulation of ama (the product of incompletely digested food) which can lead to various disease states. Herbs generally useful during the Vata season include: triphala, lavan bhaskar, ashwagandha, shatavari, gotukola, shilajit, crocus sativus (saffron), along with the common spices ginger, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Always consult a physician/qualified herbalist before initiating treatment. Since the sigmoid colon and rectum are the principle seats of Vata dosha, simple enema techniques are commonly employed in the fall and winter months. -Self-administer an enema of 1/2 cup warm sesame oil; retain for 15 minutes. Perform once every two weeks. -Apply warm castor oil to the lower abdomen, cover the area with a hot water bottle and towel. Lie quietly on the back for 15 minutes. Repeat once a week. -Take a 15-minute hot bath in the evening to which one quart of whole milk and 15 drops of lavender essential oil have been added. Perform twice a week.

Panchakarma