Back to article list

An Ayurvedic Autumn

If you read and followed my last article on how to have a healthy summer you will hopefully have avoided too much heat and pitta accumulating in you and are ready for the glory of a multi-coloured autumn.

Using the practise of awareness of the five elements (panch tattwa) you can simply tell what changes are occurring in nature. You can hear the wind blowing through the trees and along the streets and the crisp sound of leaves underfoot. You can feel the slight drop in temperature, the increase in dryness, the stronger gusts of wind. You can see the changing colours of the earth, the leaves drying on the trees, the branches bending in the wind. You can taste the delicious ripeness of the seasonal berries and fruits and smell the richness of the earth.

Autumn is a time when the Air element (vayu) is predominant; there is more lightness, dryness and coolness. There is also the tendency for ‘the winds of change’ to blow ever more erratically. These qualities in nature have a tendency to aggravate vata which is the dosha primarily associated with the nervous system. Vata also regulates the levels of moisture in the body, how relaxed we feel and how well we digest food. Autumn is naturally a time of balancing vata and reducing any symptoms of wind, dryness and erratic behaviour. Remember that in Ayurveda you do not want the dosha to accumulate as dosha means your ‘enemy’!

Autumn qualities: Light, dry, cool, erratic, rough, mobile, subtle and clear

Air anatomy: Vata can build up in the lungs, nervous system, brain, large intestine, hair, nails, bones, skin and hands. This can especially cause dry skin, constipation and increased anxiety, which may cause nervousness and insomnia.

Air physiology: Breathing, speech, nervous impulse, touch, muscular movement, thought movement, cellular communication, burps, hiccups, and flatulence.

Psychic air: Anahata chakra: located behind the centre of the chest at the cardiac plexus. Related to emotions, feelings, communication, compassion, sensitivity, empathy, love, psyche and inspiration. These experiences and feelings can be enhanced by the natural increase in openness and creativity that the air element can create.

Air flavour: Wind is increased by pungent, astringent, bitter flavours that are found in very hot spices, too much black tea and raw salads.

Air asana: To decrease too much vata practice grounding, relaxed, opening and slow movements using slow and steady breathing practices.

A Yogic Autumn

One of the main causes of disease in Ayurveda is crimes against wisdom (prajnaparadha). This means violating your inner sense of intuition as well as ignoring your past experience. Denying this wisdom results in acting inappropriately for who you are. This gives you great responsibility for your health and is a very empowering tool for taking control of your health. Also classified under this heading is the restraint of natural urges (vegavrodha); there should be no withholding the need of thirst, hunger, sneezing, yawning, crying, urinating, defecating, farting, burping, orgasm, sleep, waking and breathing due to over exertion.[i] This does not mean wanton indulgence of your needs but also appeals to you to follow your physical needs without letting your mental attractions and aversions get in the way. A teacher once taught me “graze like a cow and let your spirit soar”, meaning live simply according to the needs of your body and let your consciousness flourish. Simple and true! Ayurveda and Yoga both teach us that the practice of observation is the path to understanding.

Autumn Routine

It is important to say that the suggestions below are for seasonal balance and that you must always pay attention to any personal needs abo