Fall is in the air. That means if you’re a vata dosha or predominantly vata you could already be feeling some imbalances in your mental or physical body. The end of summer is a time that brings on hay fever symptoms if you have allergies to ragweed and other related pollens. The air begins to cool down and is dry. You may be feeling anxious, spacey or experience sinus or digestive flare ups. This is when the Ayurvedic diet or a seasonal diet is super helpful in bringing our bodies back to balance. A few things that work for me are giving up dairy (it causes inflammation and increases mucous) and increasing more nourishing foods that are warm, soothing and oily. I am a big fan of Pacifica brand organic soups when I am in a hurry. The vegan tomato or butternut squash are my favorites. I increase my intake of wild caught fish like salmon, yellowfin tuna, cod and shrimp. Sardines or herring in olive oil are great options too if you like those. For an easy lunch I throw them on a bed of greens and have my soups in a thermos so I can sip all day.
I am also a coffee lover, but when it’s vata season and I am feeling anxious or I am feeling off, I sip on herbal teas like organic chamomile, Teechino dandelion dark roast or throat coat tea. These are all caffeine free. I also drink a customized allergy tea blend made just for me by my herbalist, Zen from Within. I also increase my water intake because my skin gets so dry. If you are on anti-histamines for allergies you know that feeling of dryness. If my nose is feeling really dry I use Banyan Botanicals Nasya oil to lubricate my nasal passages before bed-time. It’s an Ayurvedic technique that promotes healthy breathing. You can read more about it on banyanbotanicals.com . My friend Emily at YHL sells a great blend of herbs she calls “Nasal Steam”. This technique has also been super helpful for me in treating my allergies naturally. Lastly, I couldn’t live without diffusing Breathe at night. It keeps me from feeling stuffy in the morning.
I have also adjusted my yoga practice and prefer to practice and teach yin or restorative yoga and gentle vinyasa flows. If we live with nature instead of against it we find ourselves feeling more in sync than out of sync. Mother Earth will take care of us if we take care of her. Fall is when we harvest the labors of summer, we wind down earlier as we lose daylight and move inward. Yin yoga is exactly this. It gives us a chance to pause and dig deep within ourselves to shed unwanted layers of stagnation or energy that no longer serves us. I will be teaching yin throughout the fall at OmBody, 90 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA. You can view my schedule and book classes on https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/MYSGQG
In closing, as we welcome fall, try not to get caught up in the turmoil of the world around you. You can only control what you put in and around your body. Feed it well. Surround yourself with positivity and nature. Bonfires, fireplaces and what’s left of the warm sun are your best friends. Take your vitamin C, D, Zinc and elderberry daily to support your immune health. Keep close tabs on your gut health and your mental health. If you are in need of ayurvedic support or guidance I do offer in-person or online appointments. This can include ayurvedic education, resources, customized yoga practices and aromatherapy.
Be well!
Jenny Dayton, E-RYT
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