Welcome to Autumn!

It seemed that we had a very literal change from summer to fall earlier this week…

Do you find yourself fishing out your warmer clothes and craving warmer foods?

If so, it’s all part of the seasonal change.  However, this change of season is not just a change on the calendar or in the weather, it’s an energetic change, too.

In Ayurveda, one’s constitutional make-up changes with the seasons.  Along with the change, not only might we feel like wearing different clothes, or eating different foods, we should do these things to keep ourselves in balance.

During Autumn, the characteristics of the Vata constitution are more present, meaning that as the weather becomes cool and dry, Vata, which is connected to the elements of air and space, is more present.

For example, from a mental perspective, when in balance, Vata brings us mental alertness and creativity; when out of balance, Vata may awaken a restless mind, anxiety of worry.

So how do we balance this change in the season?

The answers in Ayurveda are always through diet and lifestyle.

Here are some recommendations:

FOOD
In general, warm, grounding foods should be consumed:
Fruits: avocado, mango, papaya, grapes, olives, erries, coconuts, figs, melons.
Vegetables:  sweet potatoes, peas, beets, carrots, eggplant, squash, peppers, artichokes, green beans, yams.
All nuts are good.
Warming spices such as ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, horseradish, cloves and garlic.  Fennel, sea salt are also good.
Drink warm liquids like warm milk (or milk alternatives), juices, spice teas and warm water.
Protein sources such as eggs, fish and white meat only are good.

ACTIVITIES

Daily self-massage with a warm oil (or warm it in hands), especially around your joints is beneficial.  Use oils such as are sesame, olive, almond, and Castor.

Ayurveda always recommends yoga and mediation of course.  This helps to keep you balanced throughout all of the seasons.

For more information on Ayurveda, come and experience one of my upcoming talks this month:

Saturday, October 18th, 2008, 11am-1pm, $25 pre-registration ($30 day-of)

Ayurveda for the Modern World, presented by Gianna Piccardo, Balanced Wellness

Learn your basic ayurvedic constitution and how certain practices in diet, lifestyle and yoga practice can help to keep you balanced.

Pre-register at yogaheartsong.com and select “workshops”.

Monday, October 20th, 2008, 11am-12pm, $25, (Part 2 of 5 session Series)

I’ll be speaking on Ayurveda with my friend and colleague Lila Ojeda, R.D. of LO Solutions (www.lo-solutions.com) at Body Yoga, Lake Oswego, OR, www.bodyyoga.biz.  Part 2 of an Ayurvedic series of monthly lectures each with a specific infusion, related to Ayurvedic practices and their application to everyday life.

II.    October:      Ayurveda and timing your food intake-what to eat and when throughout your daily lifestyle.

Be Well!
Gianna