Happy Fall! The kids are back in school, leaves are starting to fall, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
In Ayurveda, Autumn is a time of moving from the water and fire summer season of Pitta into the Air and Ether season of Vata. The transition time between seasons which is where we are now, is also considered Vata time. So for those of us with alot of Air and Ether elements, or whose Air and Ether are currently out of balance (read: nearly everyone in varying degrees) it can be a particularly challenging time to stay grounded and focused.
Signs of Vata Imbalance
Are you having trouble sleeping? Forgetting things? Losing track of the days? Having trouble staying focused? These are signs of Vata dosha elements moving around and looking for a place to settle. Add in the smoke from forest fires clogging the air, reduced physical contact (one of Vata’s main senses is touch) increased online time (stimulates Vata which rules thoughts) and general uncertainty (Vata is the already the most unsteady) and you have a recipe for Vata vitiation or imbalance. Essentially what this means is this year the effects of the change of seasons are particularly strong. There isn’t much we can do about the onward march of time or external circumstances, so the question is, how do we respond?
Finding Compassion for Oneself
Regular readers of this newsletter know I am a big proponent of supporting the nervous system and regular self-care practices that are grounding and centering. In other words, being kind and compassionate towards ourselves. What does that mean? For everyone it looks different. When I was younger I thought it meant “treating myself” and having fun. I was all about staying up late, going to rock concerts, dancing, socializing, jamming in as many activities per day as possible, eating popcorn….all of these are Vata-increasing activities and all have their place, however, I was overdoing it. The result was exhaustion. I had no sense of balance and didn’t listen to my body’s cues. The excessive action provided a quick fix of avoidance from issues that needed addressing.
Mindfulness Pauses Pay Off
Now I have many tools in the toolbox and ways of having fun that are nourishing rather then depleting. When I catch myself rushing, tensing up, avoiding checking in with myself or ruminating about things that are beyond my control, I stop moving (Vata rules all movements) and take a deep breath. I pause and reflect on the train of thoughts that are running through my mind. Are they true? Are they kind? Noticing I’m having the thoughts gives me a step of separation from the thoughts. Remember, you don’t have to believe everything you think! Slowing down just slightly makes a big difference. A short pause and one conscious breath is a powerful practice.
I wish you many pauses and conscious breaths this fall. Enjoy the changing colours and the scent of wet leaves, feel the breeze and spend time in nature. These simple practices are supportive of balancing Vata dosha, being present and enhancing the quality of life. For support in balancing Vata dosha, contact me here: https://yogakat.ca/schedule-an-appointment/
