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What does Autumn mean to our dosha?

With autumn comes beautiful and vibrant changes in color, but also brings dry, and windy weather. This is also how in principal the Vata dosha qualities are: dry, rough, erratic, cool, unstable, creative –  so autumn is considered a vata season.

Ayurveda teaches us that like increases like, so autumn tends to increase vata, especially if vata is predominant in your constitution. 

Applying the Ayurvedic principle that opposite actions create balance, you can maintain balance during the vata season by emphasizing lifestyle and food choices that are grounding, stabilizing, warming, moisturizing and softening.  You can stay calm and connected in this whirlwind season with a consistent practice that includes nourishing and protective measures. Ayurveda promotes simple and regular routines as having a deeper effect on balancing vata than an ‘as needed’ approach.

Many different factors disturb Vata including stress, excess activity, strenuous exercise, constant travel, improper diet, the season of autumn, and especially an overly irregular routine

Best oils to apply: Sesame oil, Olive oil, Sweet Almond oil and Essential oils of Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Cedarwood (Atlas) (Cedrus atlantica), Tulsi (Holy Basil, Ocimum sanctum), Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), Myrrh Commiphora myrrha) and Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).

Warm Abhyanga Massage with sesame oil will have a balancing effect and eating warm foods will also be beneficial to Vata doshas.