Tips Ayurveda and yoga for healthy resistance in the fall
Tips for good resistance with yoga and Ayurveda in autumn and winter.
Kundalini Yoga and Ayurveda tips for a healthy and energetic autumn.
The changing of the seasons also brings changes in your attention to your health and yoga practice. Elements of yoga that work for you in the winter may not work as well in the spring or summer. Here in the Northern Hemisphere we are preparing for fall. Here are some Kundalini Yoga exercises and lifestyle tips to help you connect with this changing of the seasons.
The end of summer always feels like a big transition time for me. Vacations are coming to an end; school is starting again with its logistical schedule. The days are getting shorter; and after a long summer I am always surprised when I feel the first chilly morning. I am an outdoors person, nature helps me deal with the challenges and stimuli of a life as a mom and entrepreneur. When I “have to” go inside again at the end of the summer to do my morning ritual, it feels like the end of a period in which self-care came naturally.
From the anthroposophical (free school) tradition we celebrate the arrival of autumn with the Michele festival. It is about autumn and the path inward. After the exuberance of summer, we turn away from the outside world to turn inward; we put on thicker clothes, we are more at home and at home. The Michaels festival is about the courage it takes to face the extremes of yourself. When you turn inward, you also encounter the less pleasant sides of yourself. During the Michaels festival at the free school, the children act out the courageous battle by robbing the dragon of its tongue and thus defeating the dragon.
Kundalini Yoga and Ayurveda tips for a healthy and energetic autumn.
Kundalini Yoga and Ayurveda tips for a healthy and energetic autumn.
“Michael is one of the archangels and the conqueror of the dragon. The Michaelmas festival is the symbol that man must be awake with his consciousness to see through and fight the evil in the world. The powers of the spirit in every man are called upon at this festival.”
Autumn is also celebrated in many ways in the rest of the world, such as harvest festivals and the Jewish New Year.
During this time, your obligations and responsibilities often increase as your daily routines shift into a new mode. Sometimes our yoga practice and self-care gets forgotten.
As the seasons change and the days get longer and shorter, our sleep cycles and appetites change, many of us experience mood swings. Life often becomes more challenging during these transitions; the changing of the seasons is a great opportunity to commit to self-care and take preventative action to improve your health.
And that is exactly what this long blog is about: Let the tips in this blog help you stay healthy during this transition period!
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Yoga, just do it.
If you haven't been to a yoga class lately, sign up for a class (or more!). If you don’t have a consistent yoga practice at home, resolve to start now, while you have to commit to a schedule. Even 5 to 15 minutes a day will make a difference. In the winter, I regularly give online masterclasses where you can delve into a topic and “drop” out of your head and into your body. And you don’t have to leave the house. A weekly yoga class requires discipline but also gives you a gift: the group energy of doing yoga together, meditating and singing mantras.
As a yoga practitioner since I was 18 and a yoga teacher, I can only encourage you to continue your yoga practice, or take this opportunity to start a weekly or even daily yoga practice.
Seasons come and go, but your (Kundalini) Yoga practice remains your only stable, sure force to support you through all of life’s changes. No matter where you are in your journey, keep doing yoga! Keep going and keep moving.
Start now with a positive thought
No matter how you feel right now, Everyone could use a little positivity in their lives. Why not start using positive affirmations in your daily life NOW? You can create your own affirmations or use some powerful self-care quotes for fall to get you started:
“I am open to change”
“I make time and space for deep, healing rest breaks”
“I harvest from the garden of my Soul”
“I see little miracles everywhere”
“I am completely here and now, in this moment”
Clear your head
Feeling overwhelmed or under a lot of pressure? Taking a moment to clear your mind is the answer. Luckily, there is a meditation to help you achieve mental clarity. Take a few moments for yourself and join in this calming and relaxing exercise.
Watch the Kundalini Yoga meditation here for a calm mind and peaceful feeling.
Cook healthy meals
The Fall Equinox is a great time to get into healthier eating habits. One place to start is by cooking healthy meals at home. Learn a few basic recipes that will become your go-to recipes. Use them whenever you need something tasty and nutritious.
Autumn calls for warm and nutritious dishes, such as stews, pastas and casseroles, dairy products, such as cream and rice pudding, nuts and almonds, soaked dried fruits, such as dates, raisins and figs. The air element dominates at this time.
Therefore, avoid anything that contains a lot of “air”, such as chips, crackers, and raw vegetables.
Read my 3 favorite recipes for fall in this blog ; nutritious, warming, easy and cheap.
Kundalini Yoga and Ayurveda tips for a healthy and energetic autumn.
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What to do if you have a cold:
- For a runny nose, you can use a classic tailla (Ayurvedic oil) to open your airways and soothe your nose. Shadvindu nasya is a soothing nasal oil. Put 3-6 drops of oil in your nostrils after taking a warm shower.
- Go outside, preferably in nature. Take a walk of at least 30 minutes every day and consciously connect with nature, the trees, the air. Breathe in lots of fresh air.
- Make a steam bath with ajwain seeds or thyme.