Just⦠WHEW! As we shift from summerās on-the-go intensity to the calmer, more introspective winter months, letās pause and take a cleansing breath, shall we? ššš
Change is in the air, and weāre in that blurry space between summer and fall. During this time of flux, you might experience Mamma Earthās seasonal changes in yourself: dry leaves = dry skin; windy weather = gassy belly; swirling, erratic leaves = scattered mind; naked trees = raw, exposed feelings. ā”POW!ā”
Repeat after me: Grounding. Warming. Routine. Release. Thatās my autumn mantra for vata-balancing goodness.Ā
āGrounding: Rather than maintaining the activity of summer, nowās the time to slow down and adopt different rhythms. Savor simplicity and cultivate balance in the stillness. Stabilize your mind with rhythmic breathing and leave space in your day to rest and reflect. During your yoga practice, try less postures with longer breaths.Ā
āWarming: Introduce vata-based nutrition: root vegetables like carrots, potatoes and beets; soups and broths; and late-summer harvested apples and pears. Lube your skin with oil massages, take a bath with ginger powder and use warming essential oils like geranium, mahanarayan and vetiver.
āRoutine: Make conscious effort to stick to your daily routines of sleep, work, exercise and eating. Routine is always a good idea, especially during fall when erratic vata can knock you off balance.Ā
āRelease: Autumn invites time to pause and reflect on what is holding you back from reaching your lifeās true dharma and purpose. Just as the leaves eventually release and let go this season, YOU TOO can release what is not serving you. ā¤ļø
Cleanse Your Liver with Ease this Fall
Ā ~give your liver some lovinā~
Ode to the liver! As our bodyās primary detoxifying powerhouse, we want to keep our livers in tip-top shape. šŗEnter a liver detox!šŗ Before vata can take over this fall, help your body get rid of old pitta heat accumulated over the summer. A simple liver detox will help you restore and enhance liver functionality, boost your immune system and prep your body for the winter ahead.Ā
āØLimit caffeine, alcohol, sugar and dairy and swap excess fats and proteins for more vegetables, bitter greens, aloe vera, rice and berries.Ā
āØEat lighter, smaller portions (broth-based soups are great!) Steam or lightly saute your foods.
āØPrioritize your Zzzzzās. Liver detoxification happens during sleeping hours.
āØYour liver is a hotpot of emotions. Quiet your mind with meditation, pranayama and yoga.
āØAdd herbs that support a liver cleanse: bhumyamalaki, kutki, guduchi, amla + turmeric.
āØCleanse your colon. Yes, really. Your colon is home to the vata dosha and a therapeutic enema (basti) can be a powerful step in cleansing toxins and buildup.
āØIf youāre seeking a more in-depth, traditional Ayurvedic cleanse this fall, get started with Katieās kitchari recipe!