Balancing as we move into fall.
You can feel the earth bringing us into the next season, the harvest moon was a beautiful sight, the nights are cooling down and a few leaves are changing around us. As these changes are happening I realized I need to start finding ways of balancing myself as we enter into fall.
Which brings me to Ayurveda: Ayurveda (in Sanskrit) translates as ayur(life) and veda(science or knowledge). Ayurveda asks us to regain a balance of body, mind, spirit, and the environment.
When I got into yoga, I had never heard of the words
Pitta, Vata, Kapha- our 3 bodily constitutions.
14 years later I live so closely to these words. Ayurveda has helped me stay balanced when I feel off. Usually as the seasons change I realize I need to reset and be ready for this new season.
What do these words mean?
Pitta: Is the energy of Fire and water; digestion and transformation
The qualities of Pitta are: hot, sharp, light, oily
Vata: Is the energy of Air and Ether; movement & impulse, creativity & connection.
The qualities of Vata are: dry, light, cold, rough, mobile, clear
Kapha: Is the energy of Water and Earth, grounding & stability.
The qualities of Kapha are: Nourishment, growth, fat regulation, strength, stamina
Each person has all the qualities of these “doshas”, “but the ratio of these doshas differs from person to person. If the doshas become unbalanced beyond healthy limits, they can wreak havoc on our health.” (Banyan Botanicals)
So, Mary, How do I balance my doshas?
Daily routines are super important! Breathe, rest when you need, find warmth, or cold, listen to your body signals, if you feel sluggish - move your body, if you feel anxious - meditate or find rest. I often like to think in opposites. Begin tuning into your body and balancing out what your body needs.
Check out these articles for more information about Ayurveda:
https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/learning-ayurveda/intro-to-ayurveda/
