Vata Season of winter
In Ayurveda they have 6 seasons one of those is monsoon season. Here in the US we don't have that season. I live in Minnesota and we experience all 5 seasons distinctly. Now what we can also see is that winter is broken into two parts, part one vata season the early part of winter. It's a bit sporadic in temperature, sometimes it snows, sometimes it rains, it's windy, and cold.
Now the later part of winter is the kapha season. The kapha season is the cool season, the moist, sticky, muddy part of winter. When things start to melt and feel gooey. At that time of the year we start to transition our habits to be kapha pacify in the mind and body.
Keep your agni high
Your agni is your digestion so you want to make sure you are eating warm, moist foods that are easier to digest. You want to have regular bowel movements and a steady fire burning to help remove ama (toxins) through what you eat.
Sip on warm tea or water throughout the day
This helps keep the body warm. I love to have a combination of fresh herbs around as well as tea bags with my favorite teas. I love the Numi brand tea.
Take a warm bath
In Ayurveda opposites heal. If it is cold outside making sure you warm up with a nice delicious warm epsom salt bath in the evening is a perfect way to wind down before bed. Especially if you're a vata dosha or prone to getting cold hands and feet!
Go to bed between 9-10pm
Trying to get to bed early in the winter season is key to staying grounded all season long. It starts to get darker earlier and it's a great idea to have burlap lights around your house, or candles, a fireplace going if you have one. This helps signal to the body it's time to start winding down and will hopefully help you get to sleep a little quicker.
Dress in layers
It's cold outside so make sure you cover your ears. Vata dosha lives in the ears, so when the wind is strong it's time to cover them up. This helps you stay grounded and warm as you enjoy your time outside.
Avoid raw & cold foods
This circles back to the digestion. When it's cold outside it makes it harder for our bodies to digest the uncooked or raw foods. Instead enjoy warm soups, stews, and cooked vegetables. They can help keep the body flowing and regular.
Craving more winter tips?
Download your free winter guide which includes the following:
- Ayurvedic winter tips
- 2 recipes
- Yoga practice to pacify the vata dosha
- Workout routine for the vata dosha
- Seasonal meditation to transition into winter
Give yourself a massage every morning
In Ayurveda a daily self-massage helps you increase your circulation in the body. It helps you ground the vata dosha, it helps you bring awareness to your body. How is it feeling today? Is your skin dry, oily, rough, red? Notice what is going on instead of flowing to your next action of the day.
Be a homebody
Yes, winter is a good time to stay home. Often the holidays can bring us to over scheduling ourselves. When sometimes we just want a night at home. Be with yourself and notice what you need, what your body is craving, how you want to show up this winter season. Sometimes we get addicted to the external and forget to show up for ourselves during this time of the year.
Move your body in repetitive movements
How can you move your body in a way that will feel good to you? That is always a good question to ask yourself when you start your day. Dance, walking, repetitive circular movements can help pacify excess vata in the mind and body.
Mindfulness Practices
The vata dosha loves to be busy, scattered and unfocused. Harness your inner quietness by meditating, practicing yoga nidra, pranayama, going on a walk in nature with no phone or put it on silent to feel safe. What ways would feel good for you to get grounded in your day?
I know personally I've added a mid-day meditation checkpoint to my day and an evening one that complements my already morning practice. Maybe it's adding more and 5 minutes will go a long ways. Don't overthink just be.
Conclusion
Enjoy this early winter season by staying grounded. What practices would nourish your mind/body & soul? Brainstorm a list and start with what makes you feel good.
Seasonal Living Collective
Wanting to go even deeper?
I wanted to create this program to help women become more confident in listening to our intuition by using tools that have been at our disposal for centuries. In recent years we’ve forgotten our connection to the powers that lie deep in our bones and I want to help you awaken to your powers once again.
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