Welcoming Autumn

As I am enjoying the sunshine this early September it is difficult to believe it is autumn.

In autumn the element of air is increased. Ayurveda and yoga recognise five different elements: Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. It is believed that we and all around us are made of a unique combination of these elements. In a person the elements combine with each other and manifest as the three Doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). Our constitution is a unique combination of the doshas. If the doshas get out of balance we experience ill health in mind, body or emotions.
Autumn is generally described as being windy, cool, with a feeling of dryness and it is time of change. The change from summer turning into winter. These qualities symbolise the element of Air. When there is an increase of Air in our surroundings it will increase the same qualities in our body and mind. In ayurveda this relates to an aggravated Vata dosha.
During this time of seasonal change we will try to balance and reduce anything that may aggravate Vata dosha and the Air element in our body.

• Enjoy warm food with sweet, a little spicy, sour and salty tastes. And avoid cold raw salads. Skip the frappucinos and enjoy a mug of spicy warm chai. Porridge is great as breakfast and have a look at Rachel’s blog for the great pumpkin recipes, create your own stews and soups.

• My favorite is a nice massage with warm oils. Sesame oil is slightly warming in nature and reduces Vata. So give yourself a massage with a heated sesame oil (coldpressed and organic). If not the whole body then just your feet and any painful joints. This also alleviates the dry skin which can increase during autumn and winter.

• Your favorite yoga asana, pose, is a relaxing and grounding pose such as forward bends, squats or balancing poses like tree pose. All calming down an aggravated Vata dosha and Air element.

In ayurveda we aim to keep our doshas in equilibrium by adjusting our diet and nutrition, lifestyle including yoga and breathing exercises, herbal remedies or body treatments to suit our doshic balance. So listen to the surrounding and to your body. Both will give you a very good indication of what you need right now!

 

 

 

This is another article from my blog at Families Magazine - keep up to date here

Staying Centered - steps for an enhanced daily routine.

Take small steps for feeling calmer and more centered. Too much rapid change can actually aggravate us rather than balance us. Change your habits little by little allowing the new food/diet/exercise regime/meditation practice/waking up/going to bed ratio/[insert your own resolution here] to become a normal part of your routine and then you can enhance that choice by adding to it.
So if you are feeling stressed, worn out and exhausted you don’t want to add another stress factor to your daily life.

First step is to breathe.
I know I go on about breathing exercises a lot. This may be a byproducts of being a yoga teacher and ayurvedic practitioner, but I really can not stress the benefits enough (please look at the previous posts). We are a population too busy to actually take notice our own breath and we live in this constant agitated breathing pattern making us even more stressed. The exercise here is to just observe your breath. “I am breathing in - I am breathing out” the continuous flow of your own breath. Observe when the inhale becomes an exhale and when the exhale turns into an inhale. This is a simple breathing exercise and meditation - combined! You can do this at any time: In the morning as you wake, on the tube, in the office, before bed...

Relax at bedtime.
Take time to wind down by making a bedtime ritual. Give your feet a nighttime massage with either the slightly warming sesame oil or a cooler coconut oil. Warm the oil in your hands and enjoy massaging your feet, especially the soles of your feet and ankles. Our feet are connecting us to the Earth and grounding us. Bringing some attention to our feet can help us get out of our heads, into our body and create balance. Either leave the oil on overnight, wear some old socks to cover the feet, rub them dry or have a warm foot bath.
Incorporate these two steps into your daily routine allowing them to be a natural part of your life. They may seem very simple but that is usually the most effective too.

And how will husbands cope?

As a response to the previous post: 'The Woman who has a hundred husbands' I am in the process of writing a sequel which considers how the Man can improve his health.

Keep in touch on this Blog or on Families Magazine.

The woman who has a hundred husbands...

A post from my blog at Families Online: 

This is one translation of the original Sanskrit name Shatavari - an Ayurvedic herb which has a unique effect on the female reproductive system. Yes, it is reputed to have aphrodisiac qualities however it is also an amazing herb to promote both men’s and women’s fertility.

For women it is the herb of choice for all menstrual problems. It regulate menses, is helpful for PMS and strengthens, nourishes and supports the reproductive organs. For men it may promote the quality of sperm and is used for its nutritive and calming properties.

But it is also a balancing herb that gives us physical and mental strength. The stresses and pressures of our day to day living is often a contributing factor in difficulties to conceive. We become too tired and stressed to actually try. And then lovemaking may turn into a means to produce a baby and not sensual loving connection to your partner. Thus creating more anxiety and tension.

Taking time to really feel what is going on in our body and mind is helpful for us all but we rarely set time aside to do this. To promote our physical and emotional health we need to allow our body to tell us when we need rest, when we need food and when we need to be active!

If you are considering becoming a parent (again or for the first time) give yourself time to listen to your body, your cravings and your feelings. Take time out where you do not need to be “efficient”! Go for a run, meditate, enjoy a walk in nature, do some yoga, enjoy a swim or have a massage. Allow yourself a break.

There are many options for support for conceiving and before you take any herbs, supplements or start any new exercise routines check with your health consultant. To get personal advice on suitable ayurvedic or other herbs, a specialised diet and yoga routine see a qualified practitioner for advice.
For your inspiration I have included two yoga postures which are great for reproductive health - in men and women.

Think of openness, creating space, movement and fluidity. Enjoy!

Anja offers yoga classes, pregnancy yoga, Ayurvedic consultations and massage in SW London. To learn more please visit www.yogaembodied.com