Ayurvedic Rituals for Fall
In Ayurveda, Fall is considered one of the most potent energetic times of the year. It is dominated by “Vata” which includes Air and Ether energy. These elements are all about change. Vata stirs up the airs of release, creativity, spontaneity, and transition. It also elicits feels of ungroundedness, grief, indecision, and turmoil.
If we navigate this season well, it can be an incredible opportunity for reset in our lives. These times of big transition create the conditions for releasing painful or harmful habits and beliefs. In Ayurveda, it is believed that during the fall you can release old “karmas” that harm your health, relationships, and sense of self.
photo by Gabrielle Greenberg
But how do we make the most of these turbulent times? We have to bring in the opposite: nourishment and grounding.
If we fully give in to the air energies of the fall, we may find ourselves in a wind storm. But if we take the time to nourish our bodies deeply, we can heal the deep wounds that ail us.
SO, here are my favorite rituals to do in the fall to help myself rest, release, and recover from a big year of activity:
Eat grounding foods. This means all things rooty and warming. Think root and ground veggies (beets, squash, pumpkins, turnips), warming spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, turmeric, and nutmeg), and easy to digest foods (soups, stews, oatmeal, kitchari, and congee). This is very intuitive in some ways because these are the foods in season, but the Vata energy can also leave us craving crunchy, crispy foods. Resist the urge to indulge in popcorn, chips, salads, or other airy foods that may leave you ungrounded.
Up your protein. One of the best ways to ground your body is eating protein-rich meals, especially for breakfast. If you feel yourself feeling anxious throughout the day, increase the amount of protein you eat for breakfast. Make a big batch of fritata or breakfast sausages at the beginning of the week that you can easily integrate.
Make a warming chai. Chai is filled with many warming and adaptogenic herbs that help us adapt to the season. You can try mine from my new store or make your own! I love to blend turmeric, ginger, cardamom, ashwaganda, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg and have it on hand all season long. I add in coconut milk and sometimes ghee for extra nourishment.
Oil yourself up! Inside and out! This is the most important season for oil. I love the practice of Abhyanga aka oiling yourself from head to toe in your favorite oil (I use sesame), waiting for 10 mins while you rub it in, and then taking a warm shower to soak in the oil. This is a very grounding practice that can help protect you from the fall winds. I also increase the amount of unrefined oil that I eat and aim for 10 tbsp of olive oil, tahini, and fish oil per day.
Make an immune boosting honey or fire cider. These recipes are as old as time to help increase vitamin C and immune supporting herbs in the fall. They help to stave off the worst of colds and flus that can come with the season. To get the recipes and watch a video on all of our recommendations for fall, you can make a free account here on the Integra Collective!
I hope that these practices help you to navigate these big times of transition with ease. Be sure to stay hydrated, take deep breaths, and carve out a little time every day for rest. The more time we take to release and reset now, the more easeful our wintertime will be!
With love,
Abbey Joy
Additional Resources
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Disclaimer:
Information provided in this communication is for educational purposes only. The information is not intended as diagnosis, treatment or as a prescription, nor is it intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice from your physician or primary healthcare provider. If you have a medical condition, please consult your physician.
