Let us remember that in the philosophical science of Ayurveda each station is governed by a dosha, because it has the same characteristics and attributes.
The cycle of doshas throughout the year begins with an accumulation, then it becomes unstable and can become unbalanced, and finally it falls. So one has to follow a routine according to each season and our Prakruti (constitution) or Vikruti (imbalance) to maintain the balance of doshas in our body, prevent and promote health.
Therefore, in each season, one should eat the food to appease the seasonal doshas, paying special attention to those seasons that correspond to our Prakruti (constitution).
Examples:
- A Vata-Pitta person will generally try to control Vata in autumn and Pitta in summer.
- A Kapha-Pitta person will try to balance Pitta from late spring to late summer and Kapha from late fall to late spring.
AUTUMN TIPS
As we have seen in general during the fall Vata dosha increases. The routine for this season is:
- If we can we will get up early, around 6:00 a.m., when the air is calm and the birds are not up. There is an extraordinary silence at this time.
- You can recite a prayer in gratitude to Mother Earth, or a mantra that you especially like, the Gayatri mantra is an option.
- We will then clear our body, do our natural needs, wash our face and hands, as well as our teeth and tongue.
- Hot water with honey to cleanse the body every morning while fasting.
- If we have not had a satisfactory bowel movement, we will sit again in the toilet, to stimulate the action of elimination, if we do that every day the body will get used and soon it will be satisfactory.
- Yoga and Pranayama session.
- Then, before the bath, we will anoint the body with warm sesame oil, from head to toe. This helps us balance Vata.
- We will take a hot bath.
- We will dress in warm colors to pacify Vata such as red, yellow and orange.
- We will eat something hot and unctuous for lunch, such as oatmeal, rice cream, wheat cream, or any cereal that helps Vata. For lunch and dinner, tortillas, chapatis, basmati rice, mung beans, steamed vegetables… Salads are not recommended. Soups are also suitable.
- We should not drink black tea or coffee after eating. Better to try the infusions of cumin-coriander-fennel or ginger-cinnamon-clove.
- Fasting is not appropriate at this time of year, if it is done at most half a day, because it gives the body too lightness, which increases Vata.
- Make sure you are warm. Wrap yourself up both outside and inside buildings, if it is windy protect your ears and head.
- Active and vigorous sport should be avoided, at least by Vata individuals.
- A nap after a meal goes well in autumn.
- Try to be in bed by 11:30 pm.
- Drinking a glass of milk before going to bed is good for this season, it induces sleep. Heat the milk to the boiling point and let it cool down. You have to add some ginger powder, cardamom and a pinch of nutmeg. These herbs are hot and softening, and help us make milk lighter (because it does not cause Kapha) and more digestible.
- Between summer and autumn, it is a good time to cleanse the body. As it is difficult to access an Ayurvedic clinic, we recommend a simpler but equally effective home purification (discussed below).
- Enemas help to calm Vata, lubricate the colon and take away stress from the lower back. An enema can be done once a week during a month of autumn.
- During this season you should be especially careful to avoid loud noises, loud music, doing things quickly, or a lot of sexual activity. Avoid air flows and cold ones. All this unbalances Vata