Yoga for the Fall
By Mehtab, Founder of YOGA YOGA
October 2009

A record-breaking summer spent panting in Downward Dog. And finally Fall.

Seasons change and so do we. And so should our yoga practice.

Ayurveda, the sister science of Yoga that promotes well-being and healing, is a seasonal-based approach to living life in accord with our surroundings and seasons.

What can we learn about our yoga, our diet, and our lifestyle for the fall from the teachings of Ayurveda?

In India, the home of Yoga and Ayurveda, there are actually six seasons that allow for the monsoon times and the really hot months.

While we are supposed to have four seasons in the West, Austin actually has three: Hot, Warm, and Cool. Our hot season lasts 6 months with a couple months of warm weather at both ends and filling out with 6 to 8 weeks of cool ("cold") weather.

We are officially into fall and moving from warm to a little cool, so how does our yoga change according to the guidelines of Ayurveda?

At this time of year in Austin, the Ayurvedic dosha known as Vata begins to increase. This can create an imbalance in the body and make us more likely to get ill (hence the back to school time for flu and illnesses).

Here are Ayurvedic and Yogic ways to manage Vata during the fall season:

• Neti pot - Using a neti pot will help you to keep your sinuses clear during the cooler days and allergen-rich days of fall in Austin. It can actually aid in the prevention of respiratory-related illnesses. Yogis do it, you should too.
• Drink fluids - Stay hydrated to counteract the dryness of Vata, especially as we start heating our homes. Yogi Tea is the best fluid for strengthening the body to prevent flus and viruses.
• Optimize your diet - Use local and seasonal foods for appropriate warming, foods such as winter squash, root vegetables, nuts, and soups.
• Enhance your yoga practice - Fall is a good time to bring those warming postures back into your practice such as backbends, Warrior poses, and arm balances. We can finally drop the Sitali cooling breath of the summer and use right-nostril breathing exercises to increase Sun energy. Fall is an excellent time to try out new yoga styles and routines, attend a different class, and add more practice time to build your stamina and immune system as the seasons change.
• And finally the number one way to manage Vata in the fall: Oleation. Say what? Oleation is the application of oils to the skin. Abhyanga (or self-massage) is the best Ayurvedic practice to nurture ourselves for the fall season. The cooler weather and heated environments create dryness in the skin. A daily massage with oil dramatically reduces the Vata emotions of anxiety, depression, fear, and nervousness.