Yoga & Ayurveda for Fall

Yoga and Ayurveda for Fall are specifically designed to help you transition from the long, hot, and possibly humid summer days into autumn. Autumn is associated with shorter days; as the seasons change, the energies around us become cooler, lighter, and more mobile. This time of year is considered the Vata time because the season and dosha share the same qualities (cold, dry, light, and unstable). Since “like increases like,” this dosha can become out of balance during this time of year.

The Vata dosha is described as “that which moves” and is the king of the doshas because the other doshas have no movement without it. It provides the motion necessary for our physical, mental, and emotional processes. It governs all biological activities related to breathing, talking, nerve impulses, circulation, food assimilation, and elimination. Psychologically, it governs communication, creativity, and quickness of thought. 

When out of balance, this dosha can experience cooler body temperatures, increased dryness of the skin and hair, possible gas, bloating, and constipation. Additionally, during the fall and holiday season, the Vata dosha can experience increased anxiety, mental-emotional instability, or stress because of increased holiday activities and travel.

To bring balance, introduce warm, wet, heavy, and stable practices and lifestyle choices, such as incorporating foods, herbs, internal and external hydration, grounding yoga, pranayama, and meditation practices.

A fall-balancing yoga practice is more warming, systematic, and introspective without adding excess air elements. Incorporating the Earth element through standing and seated forward bends, spinal twists, and inversions is beneficial. Extended backbends are not recommended due to the air element, but a more extended savasana is essential.  

Holding poses longer will build core strength and increase flexibility; using the breath will create presence, calmness, and groundedness. Vata is centered in the colon and prone to constipation, so poses that compress the pelvis and engage the lower back and thighs will bring balance.  

Pranayama (yogic breathing) practice should include Ujjayi, Viloma, and Bhramari, which bring calmness, focus, and warmth.

Meditation is recommended and beneficial for all of us, especially those with a Vata constitution, as the air element can lead tomore uncontrolled thoughts and movements, So Hum is recommended.