As we slowly welcome the Fall Equinox and begin to smell pumpkin spice in the air, one thing is certain: change is inevitable, yet necessary. In Āyurveda, Ritu Sandhi, or 'the place where seasons meet' refers to the space between two seasons. In this case, roughly a week before the Fall Equinox and lasting another week after, making its way into October for us in the Western Hemisphere. We see the leaves changing colors or falling off, shorter days, and cooler nights. You might even notice changes in your sleep cycle or eating habits. Nature teaches us to embrace these transitions with ease and create new habits to better navigate through these adaptations. Keeping a seasonal diet rich in fiber, such as apples and pears, is just one simple way to support this process. Āyurveda focuses on the relationships between the individual with the seasons and elements in order to maintain a balanced diet and lifestyle to prevent or treat any disease.

“Keeping a seasonal diet rich in fiber, such as apples and pears, is just one simple way to support this process.”

Brief History of Ayurveda

Believed to have originated over 3,000 years ago in India, Āyurveda stands as one of the world’s oldest traditional systems of medicine (TSM) that is globally recognized. It’s name Āyurveda [EYE] + [OOR] + [VAY] + [DUH] translates to the ‘sacred knowledge of life’, and is derived from the Sanskrit prefix “ayuh” meaning “life” or “longevity” and “veda” meaning “science” or “sacred knowledge.” At its essence, it is a lifestyle and encourages us to recognize our individual relationships with the universe around us and within us in order to prevent disease or treat it.

According to Āyurveda, the entire universe is made up of the five elements: wind, earth, water, fire, and ether. These elements then form three separate constitutions referred to as the tridoshas: Vata dosha, Pitta dosha, and Kapha dosha. The three constitutions are a combination of the elements: Vata is wind and ether; Pitta is fire and water; Kapha is earth and water. During any seasonal shift, one of more of these doshas may become imbalanced due to both internal and external sources. The doshas can be seen as one of the main principles in Āyurveda, influencing the function of our bodies on the physical and emotional level. Although each individual is made up of equal parts of all three, one or two can predominate the others during different cycles of a person’s life.

“If your body and mind were a hand written story, then Vata is the ink, Pitta is the pen, and Kapha is the paper. Each one is vital.” - Kaitlin Lacey

The Fall Equinox is characterized by the elements of wind and ether, similar to the Vata dosha, symbolizing it as the beginning of Vata season. In nature, we see these qualities as dry, brittle, cold, transformative and in motion. It is important to note that like increases like, therefore if you are predominantly Vata in your constitution, this time of year may cause certain imbalances if you’re not taking the precautionary measures to transition into the new season. Knowing your constitution is key to creating the proper adjustments to your daily routines as well as understanding how to maintain a balanced lifestyle.

If you are curious to find out what your current constitution holds, take this quiz here.

Vata Season Practices and Tips

There are many components and layers to everyone’s individual constitutional makeup, creating a wide range of possibilities of what might work for some may not always work for others. Generally, when implementing a new regimen, remember to give yourself time to see results and to not expect anything to happen overnight. Consistency and patience are major pillars in maintaining any new practice. This is more true in the sense of constant change in our current seasons and climate crisis.

Āyurveda draws awareness to all that we consume. On a nutritional level, this will look like eating foods that are sweet, warming and grounding. Spiritually, it calls for meditation and breathwork to ease the soul. Ritucharya, ‘rules or routines of the season’, are guidelines found in ancient Vedic texts. During Vata season, we gravitate towards foods that are oily, spiced or healthy fats in order to balance out the excess Pitta (fire) that settles in the body and can cause extra dryness.

Daily Practices to Incorporate

• Tongue Scraping followed by brushing teeth to release overnight Pitta accumulation

• Warm oil self body massage to stimulate internal organs for proper digestion and elimination

• Incorporate gentle yoga or yin to maintain a steady flow of Qi (energy) throughout the day

• Breathwork or pranayama like ujjayi and alternate nostril are great techniques to practice at any time of day in order to pacify a heightened Vata dosha

• Maintain a strict sleep cycle as this time of year many feel restless and ungrounded

• Switch from coffee to herbal tea or limit caffeine intake, especially after lunch

Dietary Restrictions

• Generally, anything seasonal is key to maintaining a balanced diet. Think of rooted fruits and veggies like: sweet potatoes, squash, peaches, and tomatoes

• Bananas, avocados have a soothing and moisturizing quality for dryness

• Almonds, pecan, and hazelnuts are more beneficial when soaked, however cashews, pistachios and Brazil nuts are great

• Calming, sweet herbs like ashwagandha, shatavari, triphala, and vidari

• Limiting or avoiding foods like crackers, cold cereals, frozen foods which would increase Vata

• Trade out foods that are bitter, pungent or astringent for anything sweet, salty and sour

• Vegetables that help balance Vata: carrots, zucchini, okra, pumpkin, bottle gourd, and leeks

• Boiled rice with salt and ghee is light on the stomach and can be eaten with mung beans or lentils to create a nourishing Vata meal

• Turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, mint, cumin, ginger, bay leaf, marjoram, nutmeg, and saffron

• Recommendations for teas include: ginger root, licorice, peppermint, juniper berry, or lemongrass

More General Tips

• Your constitution can change throughout your life. It is recommended to reassess either at every solstice to maintain a balanced regimen

• Keep a food and emotion/interaction journal in order to create a deeper sense of awareness to what, who, and how much you consume

• The transition from Pitta to Vata season can cause for excess mucous and thus creating an imbalance that can lead to the common cold if not treated early

• Focus on adding or eliminating one option at a time rather than all at once which can also cause more imbalance for the already airy (forgetful) Vata

As with any practice, allow yourself enough time to do your own research and have fun in the process!