Ayurvedic Early Winter Tips

December 7, 2021

Ayurveda

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I'm Andrea - your Seasonal living guide

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
Ayurvedic winter guide

    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

    Seasonal Living Winter Collective Is Here

    Wanting to go even deeper?

    Join us for the 4 week Seasonal Living Collective experience. It is designed to help you become more in-tune with yourself, and help you connect to your inner magical medicine. You will learn how to connect to nature, your inner goddess, the moon, your divine self, and how to balance your ojas (vital energy).

    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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    explore the blog

    Ayurvedic Pregnancy 

    How to do a Castor Oil Pack

    You'll also love

    search the post index

    MORE ABOUT ME

    I'm an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor, 500 HR Yoga Teacher & Ayurvedic postpartum doula. Movement, Mindfulness & Mother Nature are my 3 pillars for health. 

    I'm Andrea - your Seasonal living guide

    LEarn My Story

    I specialize in hormonal & postpartum support using Ayurveda as the guide. 

    I host a weekly podcast, Peaceful Power Podcast and have written two cyclical living books- Divine Body Wisdom and Ayurvedic Approach to Healing Your Menstrual Cycle. 

    I graduated from Shakti School in 2019 as an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor. I'm a 500 HR Yoga Teacher and Ayurvedic postpartum doula graduate from Inner Sun & Moon AyurDoula Program. I've specialized in pre/postpartum fitness since 2007. 

    My other interests are playing tennis, watching the Hallmark Channel, and enjoying my morning cup of coffee. I also love exploring my favorite nature trail with my two sons and husband. 

    I'm an Ayurvedic Wellness counselor, Ayurvedic postpartum doula & 500 HR Yoga Teacher and Personal trainer since 2007.

    I'm Andrea — your Ayurvedic & Yoga  Guide.

    Learn what practices are best to live in alignment with the current season. You will also receive a yoga asana practice, seasonal tips, two Ayurvedic seasonal recipes and dosha pacifying practices. 

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