In autumn the days become cooler and shorter and we are invited to turn to the inner light. Autumn is dry, harsh, windy, unpredictable, cold and clear. These are all qualities that the Vata dosha has. Therefore, autumn is considered a vata season. Autumn is a time of transition. Many trees and animals prepare for winter by shedding their leaves and putting on their fur.  

During this time, you may experience dryness, restlessness and irregular sleep, digestion or menstruation. Whether you love fall or dread the approach of winter, a few simple adjustments to your diet and lifestyle will help you feel more balanced.  

As nature begins to wind down, it can be difficult for us humans to maintain our energy levels. A few simple steps to balance the Vata season can be enormously helpful in strengthening the immune system and keeping the life force active.  

We've put together a few tips and routines for you this fall: 

Nutrition 

If we take into account the Ayurvedic principle that opposites balance each other out, the Vata season will be less stressful if you treat it with warmth, oilinessdeep nourishment, loving relationships, and a sense of stability, routine, and groundedness. Drink warm tea throughout the day instead of coffee. Āsmi Energy tea is a good substitute for coffee.

Rich, oily, nutritious foods high in protein and fat, brought to life with warming, energizing spices and served hot, go a long way toward maintaining your internal moisture reserves and getting you through the Vata season. Reduce your consumption of raw vegetables, smoothies and salads, cold and frozen foods, and bitter and pungent tastes. Skipping meals, going to bed late, and irregular meal times should be avoided or at least reduced.  

Lifestyle 

Practice a daily routine. One of the most effective ways to regulate Vata is to establish a daily routine. Try to do everyday things like waking up, exercising, and sleeping at about the same time each day. Despite the increasing darkness, get up a little earlier and enjoy the stillness, peace and quiet of the early morning hours. 

Massage yourself or have a partner massage you. Treat yourself to an oil massage in the morning. This will not only help the skin, but also ground the air energy energy that causes restlessness and/or insomnia. Sesame oil is an excellent winter oil as it is both nourishing and. warming. The āsmi massage oils are based on sesame oil, among other oils. Afterwards, you can take a warm, relaxing shower and leave a layer of oil on your skin to absorb throughout the day. Aromas like citrus, orange and geranium add a refreshing touch to your routine. Try yoga and meditation. Steam baths and humidifiers are good for dry skin and your respiratory system. 

Enjoy holding back and not doing things sometimes: JOMO (The Joy of Missing Out) can be a nice trait to live out more in the cold seasons. Winter is the only time we can really allow ourselves to get as much sleep as we need. In fact, our ancestors enjoyed an amazing amount of sleep during the cold months; since there was no heating and no electricity, it was not uncommon for people to sleep 14 or 15 hours a night.

Exercise and yoga 

Vata is very easily aggravated by fast exercise, so consider slow, gentle, strengthening forms of exercise. Hiking, swimming, biking, yoga at about 70 percent of your normal levels. Balance your activity with adequate relaxation and sleep so your body can properly recover. 

Warm up slowly in your yoga practice and perform some joint rotations. Move with awareness and fluidity, grounding your hands and feet on the mat and avoiding abrupt movements between asanas. Gentle movements such as a relaxed sun salutation help calm Vata. Your breath should be deep and flowing. Emphasizing backbends Backbends and sideways movements keep your spirits awake and alive dark time of the year. End the asanas with a long shavasana and cover yourself with a blanket to keep warm. 

Dress

It goes without saying that you should keep warm, especially your ears and head. Wear not too much black and dark blue in winter. We all love fashionable and slimming black, but keep in mind that this color absorbs all light. Too much black leaves us with a feeling of vastness and emptiness, and these moods are heightened at this time of year. It's not only important to wear warm clothes, but also warm colors that can cheer you up. Leave the endless shades of gray and try reds, yellows, oranges and whites!

Check out our Instagram Reel for a quick video recap. So enjoy the change of seasons and make the most of this time of reflection and self-care.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash