Guided by The Winds of Change – Staying Healthy During The Fall
by Christine and Venkat Machiraju
Ayurvedic Practitioners
In fall, the season that we will be entering shortly, the air element is prominent. The air element is responsible for many functions within the human body, including movement of thought, movement of food through the digestive system, elimination of waste, assimilation of food and imagination and creativity. The air element is dry, mobile, light, cool, rough, and subtle. We may notice that our bodies begin to pick up some of these qualities as their own air element increases.
The cooling effect of the air element causes a sudden drop in temperature that may result in a cooling of the body or a stagnation of body fluids. The result of this can be body pains, coughs, colds, allergies, chest congestion and fatigue or depression.
Increased air and wind have a drying effect on the environment and on the body as well. The skin and digestive system may dry out. Often during the fall people begin to feel bloated or heavy after eating due to the reduced heat and increased dryness. In order to help the body maintain health and avoid the build up of toxins, one should increase fluid intake in the form of water, soups, stews and eat foods that contain a bit more butter or foods that are sweet, sour and salt to increase fluid levels in the body.
Because there are often more winds in the fall the mind often feels restless. Fall is a great time to start writing, meditating and spending time on nurturing the self. Summer is a time when we are all busy enjoying warm days and active living and suddenly when fall arrives many of us begin to feel restless or even depressed. Spending a bit of our time on reflecting on the beauty that surrounds us will help us to rebalance our minds and bodies and will help us learn more about ourselves.
It is also important to cleanse the body during the fall. Cleansing the organs and digestive system will help us avoid cold and flus that accompany this season and will helps us continue to feel healthy and energetic.
Oil massage is one way to encourage cleansing. Sunflower oil can be rubbed into the entire body with special attention being placed on the joints and abdomen. This will keep the skin smooth, will sustain mobility in the joints and will help to keep the digestive system active and thus make it possible for the body to cleanse itself so that toxins do not build up within it.
Those who have very dry skin can use sesame oil to deepen the effects of the massage.
Another way to encourage the body to stay active and healthy during the fall is to drink teas that cleanse all of the organs.
A simple tea can be made and drunk during the day to keep the body lubricated, to flush out toxins and keep the digestive fire active.
Herbal Cleansing Tea
Boil two litres of water and put it in a thermos. Add two to three slices of fresh ginger, 1/4 tsp. cumin, fennel, 2 black peppercorns, and 2 leaves of mint. Let the herbs steep. Drink this tea throughout the day for a very purifying effect.
Taking care of the body in this manner during the fall will help to avoid such ailments as arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, repertory related ailments and aging of the skin.
Remember, fall is a season of transformation, a bridge between the active, physical days of summer and the reflective days of winter. Enjoy this season of transformation and embrace the evolution that it brings to body and mind.
Venkat and Christine have dedicated much of their lives to the study of spiritual sciences. They offer classes and consultations in Astrology, Palmistry and Numerology (psychic readings) yoga, baby massage, vegetarian cooking and various forms of natural healing - aromatherapy, body type analysis, diet planning, color therapy and herbal facials to name a few. E-mail journeytothesoul@accesscomm.ca
Web http://accesscomm.ca/users/journeytothesoul
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