Grounding Through the Winds of Change

Ayurveda for this time of year.

As the wheel of the year turns once more, nature invites us to shift with it—not just externally, but within. Summer blazes with heat, speed, and sound. The Earth pulses with life, and we ride its rhythm. But come September 22nd, the wheel stations into Fall, and we begin our slow descent into the quieting embrace of winter.

Autumn is a season of transition—of wind, movement, and letting go. And for many, this shift can feel disorienting. Fatigue, distraction, and emotional heaviness often accompany the turning tide. Thankfully, yoga offers us a sanctuary. The mat becomes a place to return to ourselves. And alongside it, Ayurveda—the ancient sister science of yoga—offers tools to harmonize with the season.

🌬 Understanding Vata: The Dosha of Fall

Ayurveda teaches that we are composed of five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and ether. These elements combine uniquely in each of us, forming our doshic constitution. There are three primary doshas:

Dosha	Dominant Element	Traits
Vata	Air & Ether	Light, mobile, dry, creative
Pitta	Fire & Water	Intense, sharp, passionate
Kapha	Earth & Water	Stable, nurturing, heavy

Fall is governed by Vata—air and ether. It’s the season of wind, movement, and change. Just as leaves scatter and temperatures drop, our inner landscape can feel scattered, dry, and overstimulated. Anxiety, bloating, and restlessness are common Vata imbalances.

🧘‍♂️ The Mantra of Autumn: Ground Down Into Routine

To navigate this season with grace, Ayurveda offers a simple but powerful mantra: Ground Down Into Routine. Here’s how:

1. 🌿 Establish Your Non-Negotiables

Create a daily rhythm that anchors you. Identify the practices that nourish your body and spirit—your yoga flow, time in nature, warm meals, hydration, and a tidy space. These are your pillars. Schedule them. Protect them. Let them hold you steady as the winds swirl.

2. 🍲 Shift Your Diet with the Season

Summer’s cooling foods give way to autumn’s warming, oily, and spiced nourishment. Ayurveda divides fall into two phases:

Early Fall (through late October):

• Focus on drying fruits like apples and pears to clear excess Pitta (fire).
• Include eggplant, okra, corn, and figs to balance moisture and reduce seasonal colds.

Late Fall (November onward):

• Embrace grounding foods: bananas, avocados, pumpkins, tomatoes, oranges, and grapefruits.
• Steam or sauté vegetables to ease digestion and prepare for winter’s density.
• Incorporate whole grains, ghee, oils, and butter for warmth and stability.

3. 🌶 Spice for Digestive Fire

Warming spices are your allies. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom stoke your digestive fire and soothe Vata’s chill. These herbs not only flavor your meals—they fortify your inner flame.

🌀 Flow with the Season

As the wave rises, so too must it fall. The invitation is not to resist, but to ride the rhythm. Ayurveda doesn’t ask us to fight the season—it teaches us to dance with it. To ground, to nourish, to soften into the descent.

So, settle in. Shift gently. Let your breath be your compass and your routine your raft. This too shall pass—and in its passing, may you find deeper presence.