September marks the shift when the vibrant purples, pinks, and greens of summer give way to the golden hues of autumn. As the leaves begin to fall, the earth signals it’s time for rest, rejuvenation, and letting go.
To embrace this seasonal shift we can exchange the high energy and busyness of summer for a calmer, more rhythmic way of going about our days. In Ayurveda, this time of year is seen as a crucial period for realigning our bodies and minds with the changing environment and energies. Mirroring nature we can gradually move towards regular relaxation practices, mindful planning that leaves space for free time, and preparing the immune system through cleansing, diet, movement, and restorative sleep.
By nurturing our body, mind, and soul during the transition into autumn, we can protect our sense of calm vitality, and build a foundation of wellness that will provide strength and motivation—both mentally and physically—throughout the entire cold season.
The Seasons and The Doshas
Ayurveda divides the year into different dosha seasons, with each season dominated by one of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas represent energies that govern our physical, spiritual, and mental processes. Summer is typically associated with Pitta, characterized by heat, intensity, and athletic energy, while autumn marks the beginning of Vata season, bringing cooler, drier, and more sporadic energy. Let’s take a closer look at these two doshas that define the summer-fall transition:
Pitta (Fire and Water): Pitta is dominant during the summer, characterized by the energies of heat, ambition, sharpness, and intensity. This dominance is reflected in quick comprehension, a heightened metabolism, increased determination and planning, and a raised body temperature. However, if Pitta becomes imbalanced, it can lead to issues such as inflammation, irritability, a judgmental attitude, excessive competitiveness, a sense of unrest, acid reflux, rosacea, and a tendency to feel overheated easily.
Vata (Air and Ether): Vata is dominant during autumn, mirroring the crisp, windy weather with its weightless, dry, cold, and adaptable qualities. These energies manifest as heightened emotional sensitivity, a desire for movement, increased creativity, motivation, an ability to notice subtleties, and a sense of starting fresh. However, when Vata is out of balance, it can lead to anxiety, dry skin, difficulty concentrating, constipation, hypersensitivity, and insomnia.
If excess Pitta energy (heat and intensity) lingers into autumn, and Vata’s dry, erratic energy takes hold, the combination can create a state of internal chaos. Left unbalanced, these energies can combine in ways that may manifest through increased inflammation and a nervous system overload. This can result in physical symptoms such as migraines, chronic fatigue, digestive problems, joint pain, and exacerbated skin conditions. Mentally, the individual may struggle with heightened anxiety, mood swings, impulsiveness, or burnout. In this state, one may find it difficult to rest or recover. Spiritually, this imbalance can create a sense of disconnection or unease. Pitta's intensity can overshadow the introspective, grounding qualities of Vata, making it harder to connect with your inner self or maintain a sense of peace. You may feel a persistent agitation or a lack of clarity, as if you're constantly striving without knowing why or toward what.
Recognizing and addressing these imbalances early ensures a smoother, more harmonious transition into the colder months— for all aspects of our being.
Practical Ways to Transition in a Balanced Way from Pitta to Vata
To ensure a balanced transition from Pitta to Vata, adopting gentle cleansing practices can help release residual energy and support the body’s adaptation to the shifts of the colder season.
So here are a few easily accessible cleansing practices that you can gradually work into your daily life:
Energy-Stabilizing, Easily-Digestible Meals: It’s time to start the transition from cold dishes to warm. Focus on simple, easy-to-digest meals that aren’t overly spicy. Avoid heavy, fried, or oily foods that can increase Pitta’s heat. This can be particularly challenging as the weather becomes colder, because your body craves calories in order to combat the cold. Opt for nutrient-dense but light meals that provide sustained energy, such as quinoa, lentils, lightly steamed greens, oatmeal, and root vegetables. These foods will help maintain body heat without overwhelming your digestive system. By balancing warming foods with grounding elements, you can help ease the transition between seasons while keeping both doshas in check, ensuring that your body stays energized and balanced as the temperatures get lower.
You can find my favorite healthy recipies for autumn here.
Herbal Teas: Drink plenty of warm water and herbal teas that hold calming and cleansing properties.
Calming infusions include:
Chamomile – Soothes the nervous system, reduces anxiety, and calms Pitta's intensity.
Peppermint – Cooling and refreshing, it calms digestion and reduces excess heat.
Licorice root – Grounding and sweet, it helps balance Vata’s erratic energy and cools Pitta.
Lemon balm – Calms the mind, reduces stress, and is gentle on digestion.
Ashwagandha tea – An adaptogenic herb, ashwagandha helps reduce stress and supports Vata’s need for grounding.
Cleansing herbal teas could be:
Dandelion root – Supports liver detoxification and promotes digestion.
Nettle – Rich in nutrients, it helps cleanse the blood and supports kidney function.
Ginger – Stimulates digestion, reduces toxins, and promotes circulation.
Turmeric – Anti-inflammatory and detoxifying, it supports liver health.
Burdock root – Purifies the blood and supports the liver and kidneys.
Lessened Spicy Intake: Try to reduce the consumption of spices that can exacerbate Pitta's heat, such as chili, garlic, and excessive ginger. Instead, opt for milder spices like:
Cumin – Aids digestion and helps reduce bloating and gas.
Coriander – Supports digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Fennel – Helps relieve indigestion and reduces bloating.
Ginger – Aids digestion, reduces nausea, and has anti-inflammatory effects.
Turmeric – Contains curcumin, which has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Cardamom – Aids digestion and may help reduce blood pressure.
Cinnamon – Supports healthy blood sugar levels and improves circulation.
Effective Yoga Poses for Balancing Pitta and Vata
Yoga asanas (postures) can be incredibly supportive of the body as it transitions between dosha seasons. The following poses target detoxifying organs like the liver and kidneys, stimulate digestion, and improve restorative sleep (which is crucial as our overall vitamin D intake decreases).
Thread the Needle (Urdhva Mukha Pasasana): This gentle twist opens the chest and shoulders while massaging the liver and kidneys, aiding detoxification. It also relieves shoulder tension, promoting relaxation and better sleep.
Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana): A deeper twist that stimulates digestion and detoxifies the liver and kidneys, aiding in the release of toxins from the body. This pose also helps calm the mind, making it easier to wind down at night .
Twisted Chair Pose (Parivrtta Utkatasana): This powerful pose works on the digestive system by compressing and twisting the abdominal organs, helping to flush out toxins and improve digestion. It also strengthens the legs, grounding excess Vata energy and promoting stability during sleep .
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana): A heart-opening pose that stimulates the thyroid gland, which plays a significant role in metabolism and detoxification. The pose also soothes the nervous system, supporting restful sleep .
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana): This pose opens the chest and stimulates the digestive organs, particularly the liver, which is essential for detoxification.
Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana): A calming pose that stretches the entire back body, encourages introspection, and promotes grounding, all of which aid in deep, restorative sleep.
Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana): This pose targets the shoulders and hips, common areas for holding tension. It massages the abdominal organs, aiding in detoxification and promoting flexibility in the hips and shoulders. Releasing tension in these areas is crucial for achieving a deep, restful sleep.
Mental and Spiritual Practices for the Autumn Transition
Grounding Meditation: Practice grounding meditations that focus on the root chakra, which helps to anchor your energy and calm the mind. Visualize roots extending from your body into the earth, bringing stability and strength.
Breathwork (Pranayama): Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing): This balancing breath technique helps to calm the nervous system and maintain mental clarity.
Sunlight Exposure: Make the most of the remaining daylight by spending time outside, especially in the morning. Sunlight helps regulate your circadian rhythm and supports Vitamin D production, which is crucial for immune function and restorative sleep.
Mindful Movement: In addition to yoga, engage in regular physical activity that you enjoy, whether it’s brisk walking, dancing, or gentle stretching. Movement keeps your lymphatic system active, supporting your immune health.
A Bit About the Astrological Energies During the 2024 Autumn Transition
As we enter the autumn of 2024, the astrological landscape provides valuable insights into the energies influencing this seasonal transition. This period is marked by significant celestial events and shifts that can guide us in aligning our personal and collective energies with the changing environment.
The Libra Season: Harmony and Balance The autumn equinox, occurring around September 22nd, ushers in the season of Libra. Governed by Venus, Libra emphasizes themes of balance, harmony, and relationships. This is a time for reassessing our connections and finding equilibrium between our personal needs and external demands. The Libran influence encourages us to seek beauty and harmony in our surroundings and to cultivate fairness and cooperation in our interactions. It’s an ideal moment for reflecting on how we balance our work, relationships, and personal growth.
Scorpio Season: Depth and Transformation As the sun moves into Scorpio on October 23rd, we enter a period of deep introspection and transformation. Scorpio, ruled by Pluto and Mars, brings a focus on uncovering hidden truths and embracing change. This energy supports profound personal growth and transformation, urging us to let go of what no longer serves us. It’s a powerful time for addressing emotional and psychological patterns that need release, and for embracing the depths of our inner selves.
If you'd like to stay up-to-date on the current astrological energies, join myself, and Ciera (professional tarot card reader and astrologer) for regular Astral Yoga Workshops in the Paris area! You can learn all about what we offer during these workshops here.
I hope this information has helped you feel well equipped to embrace the colder season with balance. Remember, the key is consist small efforts and mindfulness—honoring your needs as they change with the seasons.
Understanding and applying these practices can be even more enriching when experienced in a supportive community setting. If you’re eager to delve deeper into the benefits of yoga postures and learn how to tailor them to your unique needs, I invite you to join one of my in-person, or online yoga classes where you’ll gain personalized guidance on the poses discussed, explore new techniques, and connect with others on a similar journey of wellness!
You can find all the schedules for all of my in-person classes here.
Until next time my friend,
Namaste
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