6 Ayurveda Lifestyle Hacks by Certified Ayurveda Movement Coach & Teacher of Ayurveda Wisdom.
Nandini Natasha Austin
Photo Credit @ Merry Phenvegath
Dear Reader,
Namaste and welcome to the fall season - can you believe it's October? Perhaps with the turning of the leaves, you may be excited about what this fall will bring, but on the other hand, you may be feeling a tad daunted and a little out of sorts. Perhaps some anxiety and insomnia might be creeping in, as the busy work mode starts and the endless managing of calendars and the race towards the end of the year.
Coincidentally maybe your energy levels and digestion may be off? Well if any of this sounds familiar, not to worry dear friend, it's all perfectly normal according to Ayurveda the holistic Indian Science of Life and Longevity.
Photo Credti @ Nandini Austin Comeau Trail Woodstock
Ayurveda suggests that we are part of nature and nature is part of us, so we always can take our cues from Mother Nature. As the trees shed their leaves and say goodbye to fall, it is also time for us to let go of the hot and fiery energy of Pitta (Summer) and ease into the cold, brittle, flowing, windy season of Vata (Fall)
This time of seasonal transition is known as ‘Ritusandhi which means 'between two seasons'. It is also a time when we humans are most vulnerable as the shifting climate externally can lead to imbalances internally in the mind and body. We need to cleanse the body removing any residual heat from Pitta, and incorporate more Vata principles and gradually head into the fall. If not we could end up with a Vata-Pitta imbalance which together can cause a forest fire like a ‘burning out’. So the more conscious of our daily lifestyle habits, rituals, and sleep we are, the easier this transition will be.
Read on below where I share some insight on how to make seamlessly enter the new season
1. Routine balances all Doshas, especially Vata energy so it is time to get back to a routine as summer may have thrown you off schedule. Simple tips like creating a cushion in between meetings. Often we run from one thing to another, but allowing a 15 min ( extra time) between activities creates a mental buffer for you to digest and rest before taking on another action. The body needs its rest more than ever, so instead of dulling your sense organs with mindless TV or scrolling late at night on the phone, why not soothe your weary soul with a nurturing tridoshic body oil massage to help get those zzzzzz or cozy up in bed with a good book.
Photo Credit Nandini Poise - Tri Doshic Body oil on a sundial in my garden
2. Favor Farmers Markets for sexy seasonal veggies: Yes said it vegetables are sexy in my opinion. Sexy is the new healthy. So take advantage and visit a couple of markets so you can support local and enjoy a variety of seasonal foods. I usually head to Adams Fairacre farms in Kingston or high fall co - op to get my fill.
3. Ditch the ‘dead food’ that has no (prana) “life force’ . Switch our processed sugars to indulge in naturally sweet foods like sweet fruits, root vegetables, greens, mung, quinoa, rice, and oats which all pacify both Vata and Pitta. To create some mindful habits, when eating something. Ask yourself "Is this food bringing me closer to harmony or disharmony?
Me my Garden picking some veg : Photo Credit Revel Austin
4. Bring on the Bitter greens: To cleanse out any old 'Pitta" energy of heat and inflammation in the summer you may have accumulated during the summer, enjoy plenty of bitter greens,like Kale or collard Greens. Also try to lower your intake of too many cold and raw foods, like salads raw veggies, which can be hard on digestion. Instead start gravitating towards soups, curries, and stews. It's common sense really, and you may be doing some of this naturally, so keep listening to your intuition and carry on.
5. Lessen your reliance on icy cold drinks as ice also stiffens digestion, and your digestion is catching up to the new season so needs as much help as possible to favor more warming hydrating fluids like Cardamon, Ginger, or Tulsi teas.
Photo Credit Nandini Austin Cardamom Tea
Photo Credit @ Judith Rae - Chicken curry at Nandini's Home
6. Dance to improve Your digestion. Keep moving and exercising to keep your digestive fire burning. Because Vata's energy is dry , brittle, windy ,and often damp, internally this can wreak havoc with your joints, so be kind to them with less abrupt movements and jumping. Instead incorporate more flow movements and lo -intensity worksouts, like a dance/ yoga class that offers a slow nourishing warm-up and stretch and cool down.I incorporate a lot of Vata flow and stretching in my dance and movement classes which are geared for all ages
So there you have it, a few simple hacks to keep you balanced. Even adopting one of these changes above is a powerful win, you don't have to do all of them at once.
Ayurveda is not about quick fixes, instead living an Ayurveda lifestyle means living in alignment with nature, the circadian rhythms, and the seasons. It is one of the best ways to your support health, and well-being and to balance your immune system and digestive pathways
So go ahead and empower your immunity and have compassion towards your beautiful self.
PPS This month to build more community, I am hosting two free Global Dance Fusion community events in partnership with the Holistic Healthcare Community see here for details. . I am supporting the local Kingston community with a Special Global Dance Fusion class for the O positive Festival together with the Holistic health care community on Saturday 7th Oct 2 pm so come join. The O+ Festival is an annual weekend-long celebration where musicians, and artists of all genres, mediums, and modalities come together to share their gifts with the public in exchange for a variety of services donated by doctors, dentists, and complementary care providers. I hope to see you there and will also be offering Ayurveda consultations.
If you want to learn more about Ayurveda and how it can help you, schedule a free 30-minute Ayurvedic consultation here
As always, we will continue to inspire healthy, mindful living and empower you to make informed decisions about yourself and your future health.
Above all......Live a life in balance!
With Love and Abundance
Nandini Austin
Live Life in Balance