Looking back at my school teaching years I remember this time of the year flying by. So much going on!
I also remember observing certain students having more than usual emotional and behavioral trouble this time of the year. It seemed like they needed a little extra emotional support and the children who struggled with paying attention were a little more jumpy than in the late winter and spring time.
It makes sense…this is that Vata time of the year. Vata dosha is the combination of the elements space and air and at this time of the year there is a natural increase of Vata dosha in the nature around us…and therefore within us as well.
What does this mean? Well, Vata rules our nervous system as well as other flows within the body like blood flow, flow of food through the intestines and flow of wastes from the body. We must be extra diligent this time of year to stay grounded and nourished in order for our body-flows to stay regulated and working properly.
Below I will share with you a couple strategies from my Vitality Now program that are great for grounding vata in order to stay healthy and balanced this time of the year. If interested in learning more about how to transform your health using the Vitality Now health program call or email me!
I will be presenting these strategies and much more during two workshops in Berkley, Michigan on November 3rd and 4th as well as during a retreat in Venderbilt, Michigan on Nov. 10-11 . For more info on these workshops click JOIN NOW as limited space available for the Berkley Michigan presentations (sign up by Oct. 31st).
Here are a few of the best ways to stay grounded and healthy this time of year (all safe for children and adults)…
1. Meditation: If you have learned meditation already then make sure to find 5-20 minutes or more a day to practice. For those of you not quite ready to take on a regular meditation practice find time to sit for 5-10 minutes and listen to some relaxing meditative music. See past blog post Easy yet Effective to learn more about this strategy.
NOTE: MEDITATION FOR KIDS: Having trouble finding time to meditate?! Click this link to download short meditations that are good for kids and adults. Any of the three downloads I offer (for only $5) would be a great way to balance the whole family at the same time!
2. Practice Abhyanga-Self Oil Massage: Carefully warm some sesame oil (see abhyanga massage directions at the end of the post) and softly massage the oil onto your skin before taking a nice warm shower or bath. The oil is safe for all parts of your body. SAFE FOR CHILDREN
3. Nourish Through Diet: Make sure you are enjoying the “heavier” veggies Nature offers us this time of year. Enjoy squash, pumpkin, beets, carrots and more. In general, favor heavier, nourishing, warm (properly cooked) and slighly oily foods. Below are a couple Vata-Pacafying recipes from my Vitality Now health program. I hope you enjoy.
Toasted Oatmeal for Vata
1/2 cup crushed oats
1 cup whole milk (raw or organic)
1/2 cup pure water
1 tsp sucanat or raw sugar
1 pinch crushed cardamom
2 small bay leaves (optional)
Tiny stick of cinnamon
1 tsp ghee (clarified butter)
Melt ghee in a pot until it is clear. Add the oats and toast for 3-4 minutes over medium high heat. Add the milk, water, sugar and spices and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly to prevent sticking or burning, until oats are tender. Enjoy warm.
*TIME SAVER: to support faster oatmeal cooktime I use a spice/coffee grinder to grind the oatmeal (I typically do this one day a week so I won’t have to grind every morning I choose oatmeal). I then put the oats into my rice cooker with a little ginger, soaked raisins, ghee, etc. This way I can go about mu morning business on days I do not have time to stand in the kitchen and cook.
Mung Bean-Wild Rice Kitchari for Vata
-from cookbook Healing Recipes www.ayurbalance.com
1/2 cup mung dhal (split hulled mung beans or replace with other lentils)
1/4 cup wild rice
4-6 cups pure water
1 tbsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seed
1 clove
4 black peppercorns
1 green cardamom
1 pinch ajwain
1 pinch hing (asafetida)
1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 heaped tbsp chopped cashews
Soak mung dhal in hot water for a couple of hours. Wash rice and dhal in several changes of water. Drain. In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the ghee until melted. Add the asafetida, cashews and the whole spices, and sauté briefly until fragrant. Add the rice and dhal and continue sautéing for a few more minutes. Bring to a boil and cook, covered, until rice and dhal are tender. Add the salt, pepper, lemon juice, cilantro and ginger, remove from heat and mix well. Serve warm. (The whole spices are set aside on your plate as you eat, to be discarded)
Raisin Date Chutney:
1 ½ tsp fennel seeds
1 ½ tsp cumin seeds
3 tsp ground coriander
1 ½ cup soaked raisins
¾ cup soaked dates-pitted/chopped
3/8 cup orange juice
2 Tbl fresh ginger root minced
¼ tsp nutmeg
3/8 tsp salt
-combine in food processor until coarsely ground
Abhyanga Self-Massage Info
Abhyanga — The Ayurvedic Daily Massage
“Abhyanga” — the Ayurvedic oil massage — is an integral part of the daily routine recommended by this
healing system for overall health and well-being. Traditional ayurvedic texts enumerate the benefits: “Give yourself a full body oil massage on a daily basis. It is nourishing, pacifies the doshas, relieves fatigue, provides stamina, pleasure and perfect sleep, enhances the complexion and the luster of the skin, promotes longevity and nourishes all parts of the body.”
Here are some of the benefits traditionally associated with regular performance of this pleasant daily ritual:
• Increased circulation, especially to nerve endings
• Toning of the muscles and the whole physiology
• Calming for the nerves
• Lubrication of the joints
• Increased mental alertness
• Improved elimination of impurities from the body
• Softer, smoother skin
• Increased levels of stamina through the day
• Better, deeper sleep at night
The ayurvedic massage is traditionally performed in the morning, before your bath or shower, to facilitate
the release of toxins that may have accumulated during the previous night. Sesame oil is the traditional
choice, although other oils may be recommended based on imbalance and body type. To “cure” or purify
the oil, heat the oil to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. (If you do not have a thermometer, you can put a few drops
of water in a pan with the oil – the water will sink to the bottom and start to boil and “pop” when the oil
reaches 212 degrees.) Remove from heat once this temperature is reached, cool and store for use as needed. Cure up to a quart of oil at a time. Of course, you should observe safety precautions when curing oil. All oils are highly flammable. Use low heat, and don’t leave the oil on heat unattended. (Note: You do not have to cure the oil, if you are using an herbalized oil.)
How to Perform the Self-Massage
Use comfortably warm massage oil. Store your massage oil in a plastic flip-top and place it in the sink with hot water to warm the oil. Or place hot water in a large mug and place the plastic containing in this. Squirt the oil into the palm of the hand and apply to the entire body, starting with the head first. Do not forgot the ears, the scalp, or the feet. Also, at this time, if you are using pure unscented or non-herbalized oil, you place approximately 2 tablespoons of oil in your mouth and hold it there, while swishing it between the teeth occasionally, as you do the rest of the massage. (This practice is very beneficial for preventing gum disease.) After you have placed a liberal amount of oil on the skin of the entire body, massage the body, applying even pressure with the whole hand.. Apply light pressure on sensitive areas such as the abdomen or the heart. Use more oil and spend more time where nerve endings are concentrated, such as the soles of the feet, palms of the hands and along the base of the fingernails. Circular motions over rounded areas such as your head or joints, and straight strokes on straight areas such as your arms and legs, work best. After you’re done, allow the oil to soak in for 5 to 10 minutes. Do some other part of your daily hygiene routine at this time (shave or do nails or do some gentle yoga postures or just relax). Follow the massage with a warm bath of shower. (Note: To get the oil out of the hair, place shampoo on the head before you put any water on. It will lather up a bit and save tremendously on the amount of shampoo you need to use.)
To keep your pipes from clogging: Once a week put 1/4 cup of vinegar down the drain followed by 4 quarts of boiling hot water (from the stove, not from the faucet).
