As we approach the Autumn Equinox this visceral changing of the seasons is before us. The harvest season is back! It is the time of change and release. Reaping what we've sown over the year and checking in with what we are harvesting- what directions we are going in and what progress we've made. A seasonal inventory of our lives.

The Season of Vata

It's the time of year when the Air and Ether elements (together in Ayurveda known as Vata) step into the throne of command. When imbalanced, and left unattended, these elements can cause a variety of issues such as scattered energy, sleeping problems, constipation, anxiety, and dry skin and hair, to list a few.

Within myself, I can experience seasonal mood changes, sporadic energy levels, and shifted sleeping patterns. Random spurts of anxiety and an increase in a bluesy mood are part of this time of year for me. My sleeping habits become challenged by the increased ease of staying up late. Physically, my skin becomes dry, and if left unmanaged it cracks open and can be painful. When I start to experience an uptick in physical and mental symptoms of imbalance it is simply a response in my body to Nature's cyclical changes.

Self-Massage - A Balancing Practice for Fall

One of the practices that helps restore and maintain balance for me is self-massage, or known in Ayurveda as Abhyanga. In Ayurveda, this is taught as a year-round daily routine practice. This is traditionally done on the whole body, but accommodations to resources (including time) are always accepted. What this means is that if you run short on time or almost forget before bed, you can still massage oil into your hands, arms, belly, legs, or whatever you can do. The standard oil for this and what I use is  a traditional formula called Mahanarayana Oil (and it works wonders!). That being said, whatever you have on hand to oleate or moisturize will do. Ayurveda teaches us to practice self-abhyanga daily, and even massaging just the hands during the dry season can have great benefits. I have seen it prevent dryness and heal painful cracks in my skin, help improve my sleep, and decrease tension in my body. Whenever I skip it I notice and feel the difference, particularly in this time of year.

Along with the benefits of moisturized skin, improved circulation, and supporting the body's natural detoxing (through improved circulation), it also greatly impacts the mind. As mentioned previously, the mind lives within the body and they are one. Self-abhyanga relaxes the body, calms and grounds the mind, and is received by the body as a warm nurturing experience. This is particularly important in the fall season, where dryness, cold, and tension are heightened. Based off of the primary qualities (known as Gunas in Ayurveda), abhyanga has a warm and oily presence that counteracts Vata's cold and dry nature. As with many things in Ayurveda, even if what you are doing looks simple, the effects are powerful. This balancing of qualities through the senses directly affects the mind for subliminally powerful results.

Pumpkins & Spice - a Fall Tradition

Within our own societal customs, we find built-in traditions to honor the season and find balance within it. For example, pumpkins are Vata pacifying as they are heavy, smooth, and have gooey, demulcent qualities. Pumpkin is grounding, which is related to the Earth and Water elements. The principle of Samanya Vaisheshika in Ayurveda states that opposites create balance, hence why this Earth element with grounding qualities helps to balance out the Vata aggravation of the fall. We can find intuitively supportive habits already there for us that we can expand upon.

The pumpkin spice syrup in your latte may not be quite so balanced with its additives, coloring, and sugar- but a true pumpkin spice blend can help to bring in those balancing qualities discussed. Cinnamon, clove, ginger, and allspice are all warming by nature, thus alleviating the coldness of Vata. Cardamom is sometimes featured in this classic mix, and I always include it in my home pumpkin spice mix. Cardamom helps to balance out the heat, keeping it from becoming excessively hot and potentially creating more dryness. It is also a great spice to support the digestive system and break down undigested toxins (or in Ayurveda known as Ama) in the body. These spices pair well with pumpkin since pumpkin is cold, heavy, and gooey (Kapha), and the qualities keep Kapha from becoming excessive. Following this example of primary qualities (or gunas in Ayurveda) we can keep in mind to have warm, grounding, unctuous foods and avoid foods that are cold and dry, knowing that these qualities will aggravate the elements of Vata.

Just as we connect with the nature of our food to strive toward homeostasis, our daily lifestyle choices ought to be connected to Nature as well. With our internal circadian rhythms, we can find ourselves feeling a need for more rest as our bodies want to slow down with the earlier sunsets. We are part of nature and must respect our needs for greater rest and calm. Often the pressures of society and the pressures we place on ourselves can drive us to push ourselves to be as active as we were in the summer, always being on the go. We might notice our energy levels shift and our bodies ask for more rest in this closing half of the year. This is natural and yet we commonly find ourselves expecting to be unaffected by shorter days and longer nights. We humans are part of the natural world, and so are our circadian rhythms. We too change with the seasons. Honoring our needs and our bodies' changes is a key aspect of health. We are a part of nature, and we too change with the seasons.

By integrating mindful consumption with mindful living practices, we can maintain health and well-being during this season of change. Honor your body's needs and intuition and embrace the natural cycles of the Earth that we are a part of. The more we connect with nature and honor its cycles, the more we maintain a balance in our lives and our health.

Nina's Pumpkin Spice Recipe:

In a small spice jar measure the following:

• 2 tbsp. Cinnamon
• 2 tsp. Ginger
• 1 tsp. Cloves
• 1 tsp. Allspice
• 1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom

Instructions: Stir together, close the jar, and shake to ensure it is blended homogeneously.

Use 1/4 tsp in your coffee (I like to blend mine with ghee and this helps have better absorption of the properties in the spices), and any foods like porridge or cooked fruit with ghee. And of course, whatever amount your pumpkin pie recipe calls for!

About the Author

We are excited to introduce to you our newest contributor to Intrepid Wellness, Nina Cornejo. Nina Cornejo is a NAMA-certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and a member of Club Phoenix. Her practice is centered on mental health and wellness, guided by the Ayurvedic principle that the mind plays a crucial role in the manifestation of diseases. Nina emphasizes that true healing lies in recognizing the unity of mind, body, and spirit, and understanding our connection with Nature and the Universe. She highlights how our bodies adapt and change in response to the seasons, exemplifying this holistic approach to wellness.