Staying Grounded as Seasons Change

As the seasons change and we begin to move away from the warmer, more humid summer months towards the cooler, drier autumn months, Vata Dosha (which is naturally dry, light, cool, and mobile) can become aggravated. For some of us, the cooler temps are a much-welcomed reprieve, and for others, we may begin to feel the "airy" or "ungrounded" effects of aggravated Vata during this seasonal transition. Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing a few practice tips that help me stay balanced, grounded, and centred in my Yoga practice and home life during transitional autumn. I hope you enjoy exploring these tips in your own practices.

1. Keeping Up Regular Yoga Practices and Routines

Vata Dosha, comprising of the air and ether elements, is naturally irregular, changeable, and tends to be spontaneously dispersive. It's very easy during Vata season to follow the wind element and forget about the grounding and supportive activities, practices, and schedules we usually enjoy. Without them, we may find ourselves in a place of confusion and displacement.

I find that sticking to my general weekly and daily routines of Yoga, meditation, meal times, work schedules, and bedtimes helps me feel clear, grounded, and nourished. It also helps me feel on track with personal projects, goals and in general life.

The Primary series from the Ashtanga Yoga practice, can be particularly grounding for some of us. This, in part, is due to its repetitive aspect and its downward and inward-flowing Pranic aspects. For other's we may find that doing a simple and reliable practice that includes salutes, standing postures and some of Iyengar's inversion cycles, brings us the same qualities. If we're feeling unwell or a little "less than" we may find that doing a supportive practice that includes Supta Baddha Konasana and legs up the wall, is just what we need.

For more practice tips during this seasonal change, stay tuned.

Hari Om,

Brookie