Ayurvedic Wisdom for Thriving in the Cold Embrace of Early Winter
Each of the seasons brings a unique set of qualities that can either pacify or aggravate the elements within you. As the seasons change, so too does the delicate balance of an individual’s constitution. Making slight changes to daily lifestyle habits and diet can help to restore balance and return that sense of equilibrium to the body, mind, and spirit.
As the weather cools and we’ve moved into Early Winter here in the Northern Rivers, it is characterised by the moon energy, or soma, which is a cooling energy that builds us up, rejuvenates the soils and the plants.
So long as we are not already disposed to an existing health condition, the natural tendency or influence of Early Winter sees that we have a stronger appetite, which in-turn means a greater energy and stamina that can be fuelled towards projects and passions, if directed wisely. We have the opportunity to build our energy reserves throughout Winter.
Winter is a time to our bodies are naturally inclined to build up fat and store energy. Its important to honour your appetite, since if you don’t feed your digestive fire in the morning, it will dry up bodily tissues and then provoke the Ether and Air elements of the body (Vata dosha). Early Winter is the season when nature is ready to nurture us - we can enjoy more nourishing and heavier meals and is naturally a time of our peak of energy.
This greater energy also means that conversely to popular culture in the West, Ayurveda recommends to move our body throughout Winter, practising a more invigorating and stimulating exercise regime to counter any adverse effects of the season towards sluggishness or negativity.
During Early Winter the qualities abundant in the environment are cold, heavy and slow - those akin to the Kapha dosha in Ayurveda which comprises predominantly Earth and Water elements.
This means that in our Ayurvedic Winter Yoga practice, we can enjoy more dynamic and warming movement. Kapha pacifying asanas that focus on feeling invigorated and light, opening the chest and lungs and directing the breath to these areas of the body.
To balance Kapha in the yoga practice or other spiritual practice, encourage qualities of compassion and open-heartedness, love and acceptance of oneself as a powerful antidote to those mental and emotional qualities of imbalanced Kapha (feeling of heaviness, slow, lethargic).
The elemental abundance of Early Winter season can reflect an imbalance in your body with signs such as; cough, congestion, bronchitis, asthma or allergies - all of which can be particularly prevalent during this season.
Most commonly, when our digestive fire - or appetite - goes walkabout, this leaves you more susceptible to colds, poor circulation, joint pains, and negative emotions. Keeping yourself warm, well-hydrated and being kind towards yourself can be a starting self-prescription.
The beauty of Ayurveda and Yoga is that two of the three pillars for which we can influence our health is ayurvedic diet & nutrition, and our lifestyle - which is what we do, everyday. The lifestyle pillar, we called Vihaar and it includes everything we do including our routine, our environment, home and work life and relationships.
During the physically cold months of Winter, we can tend to feel cold ourselves - perhaps even somewhat closed off from the world. For this reason, laughing together with friends and loved ones is also one way to warm the body and the soul. Laughter is one way to direct Prana - or vital energy - to the chest and lungs - which is the seat of the Kapha dosha in the body.
Ayurvedic Yoga for Kapha - Key Words
Stimulating
Invigorating
Energising
Moving
Lightening
Warming
Releasing
For those who tend to feel sad or dissatisfied during this season, an ancient Ayurvedic prescription is to follow your heart. Take time each day to check in with yourself and your core heart desires by journalling or reconnecting with gratitude for all that you have been given.
Be with the stars at night. The entire universe is contained inside your heart.. When the boundaries of our life get us down, looking at the stars re-connects us with the universe and reminds us of our inner cosmic nature. The very act of looking up is uplifting - you raise your chin and sternum, allow the chest to open and the lungs to expand. Stargazing can ignite hope, dreams and a sense of wonder.
Colours like orange, gold, deep reds and mustard are simple, yet effective ways to encourage a pleasing, cosy sensation, whether worn as clothing or draped around the house (perhaps over the TV).
Spices for Kapha
Cardamom
Liquorice
Ginger
Lemon
Ginger
Plus some regular doses of barley and fibre (such as psyllium added to morning porridge or bran) is a great way to pacify Kapha.
Essential oils such as eucalyptus, sage, and rosemary have a stimulating effect for Kapha, so adding a few drops of these to your oil diffuser, oil for self-massage or to your bath will promote balance during Early Winter.
Most of all, observe the changes of the seasons for yourself and enjoy each season for its unique elemental qualities!