Fall has always been one of my favorite times of the year. When summer heat fades and cooler temperatures take over, it signals the trees that a time of transformation is near as we turn the calendar to start the crisp, colorful month of October. It must be so freeing for the trees to let everything fall away and realize that they can face the world with nothing to hide behind. Their roots are strong enough to withstand anything the world brings. They let go of their leaves in such a gentle way. And with no regrets.
Fall can be a time to look back and reflect on what hasn't served us well over the last ten months and use that wisdom to prepare for the next twelve gifted to us after the New Year. Like a tree shedding its leaves, we can also use this time to "let go" and transform. The trees are showing us a valuable lesson right this very moment.
Fall is also the start of the holiday season as we quickly move from costumes to turkeys to trees. It is the beginning of a season of change. Everyone seems to slow down and savor the moments with friends and family a little more. It is also the season for warmer and more comforting foods.
The ancient Indian medical system, also known as Ayurveda, is based on ancient writings that rely on a "natural" and holistic approach to physical and mental health. The three ayurvedic body types, or doshas, are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha type has a unique set of characteristics; a person's body type depends on physical and emotional attributes.
Vata season, which begins around mid-October, combines air and space elements. The qualities that characterize this time of year are like those of Vata: cold, dry, light, and quick-moving.
During this time, it is important to feast on plenty of fresh, late-summer harvested fruits—namely fresh apples and pears. Fresh apples and pears are plentiful during this time and help consume and "dry out" excess Pitta from the summer. When it comes to apples, green or tart ones are the best. These fruits also provide fiber, which helps move waste out of the gut, priming it to digest the heavier foods of winter. Eggplant, corn, melons, figs, and Okra are good produce picks for early fall.
Stay tuned for our Ayurveda workshop on January 14, 2023, with Clinical Ayurveda Specialist Tesia Love. www.palmetto.yoga/events
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