Ayurvedic Wisdom for Winter Health

Ayurveda offers tremendous wisdom to support us in maintaining our harmony with the elemental forces within us and around us.  As we maintain balance and harmony through the seasons of the year, the natural outcome is health, resiliency and vibrance.

We are quickly approaching mid-winter and the temperatures outside are confirming the date on the calendar!  At this time of the year the elemental influences of Vata Dosha dominated by the qualities of Air and Space: Dry, Light, Cold, Subtle, Rough, Moving, Clear, ease into the qualities of Kapha Dosha (Earth and Water): Cold, Heavy, Oily, Slow, Steady, Smooth, Dense.

Transitioning from the Vata stage to the Kapha stage of late Winter to early Spring, we take actions to balance the effects of the accumulated Vata qualities that can create:

— dry skin

— dryness in the gut

— stiff and creaky joints

— lofty or ungrounded or unproductive thinking

During the early accumulation phase of Kapha we can support our best health with the following practices:

— Daily self-abhyanga (oil massage) with warming sesame oil 

— Increase dietary fiber and leafy green vegetables

— Increase aerobic type exercise (walking outdoors is perfect for movement and grounding)

— Drink warming tea such as ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, coriander and fennel

-  When outdoors, be certain to wear appropriate clothing to stay warm which will help prevent an further aggravation from the cold quality which is present in both Vata and Kapha Doshas.

As the cold and dark season of winter begins to releases its grip upon us and nature.  The warmer and longer days of Spring will arrive.  Our attention can turn to how we can best prepare ourselves for Ayurvedic Spring Cleansing.  If you have implemented the above list of actions to care for yourself during winter, you will have prepared yourself well for a deep detoxification in the early spring.  It is said in Ayurveda, that spring detoxification is like the farmers preparing the soil to receive the seeds and seedlings that will grow and flouish in the rich and healthy foundations attended to.

For more information about how to stay in harmony with nature and prepare yourself for Spring Detoxification, schedule an Ayurvedic consultation with Suzanne Silvermoon, Yoga Therapist and Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor.

Call for your consultation: (253) 927-0660