Tips to keep balanced in the cool, windy fall

Have you ever been in  yoga class and overhear another student say they are feeling "vatta-deranged"? They probably laugh afterward, as if it's an inside joke. And, it kind of is for yogis; they are probably saying that they are feeling spacey, forgetful, and having problems focusing. Like having a "senior moment".

If you are feeling this way, it may not be funny to you. And having someone tell you "it's just the weather" might even make you feel downright irritable. But, I'm going to take a risk and tell you that according to Ayurveda, "it's the weather" might be a valid explanation.

Everything we know is made up a varying amounts of five basic ingredients: air, ether, water, fire and earth. This includes you and me. We have each of those elements in us, but the proportions differ from person to person. If you have a lot of fire and water, this means you have a lot of a quality we call "pitta". If you have a lot of earth and water, we'd call that "kapha". If you have a high proportion of air and ether, we say you have a lot of "vatta" in your constitution.

These three constitutions are called "doshas". There is so much more to say about doshas, but since we are talking about vatta-derangment here, let's stick with vatta. We all have some air and ether, even if it's just a little.  Air and ether have the qualities of lightness, movement, dryness and coolness. It resides in the spaces in our body.

A strong concept in Ayurveda is the idea that "like increases like". So, the airy quality of your body attracts more of the airy and dry quality to it.

Now, what is fall? Overall, the quality of fall is dry (think dry leaves, grass), windy, and cool. So, if you have a lot of vatta, a lot of the air and ether quality in you, you may be sucking up these qualities from the environment like a sponge.

If this goes unchecked, what might happen? You begin to feel airy, spacey, a little anxious. You may have difficulties focusing. You may notice your skin and hair becoming more dry, maybe even dry patches. You may feel "irregular" or constipated. Stay in this condition too long and it may lead to fall illnesses.

If "like increases like", the logical next conclusion might be that "opposites increase balance". Given that, we can logically come up with a game plan for managing fall if you tend toward vatta.

Dress warm. Avoid getting cold. Pull out the funky hats and cool scarfs.

Eat warm, wet foods. Now is not the time for salads, icy smoothies, or raw foods. Instead of dry granola, choose warm oatmeal. Instead of a cold salad, have a steamy bowl of soup.

Eat seasonal vegetables. Hit the farmer's market and what do you see? Squashes, root vegetables, earthy, grounding, heavier foods. Yes, there are lot's of apples and pears, also. Ayurveda would suggest enjoying these cooked and warm. Stewed apples sound good.

Emphasize routines. Vattas tend to dislike routine...they want to be "free like the wind". But, they need routine. Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily (remember, staying up past 10:00 or 10:30pm can invite sleep troubles). Eat meals at consistent times. Try to develop a schedule for activities. Eliminating unnecessary variances can ease vattas already slightly disorganized mind.

Self-massage with warm sesame oil. Sesame oil is very warm and nourishing, better for vatta than cooling lotions. There is a technique called "abyanga" that is very grounding to vatta, that we will be covering in our Ayurveda workshops.

Emphasis grounding yoga poses in your practice. Sustained standing poses and restorative work are helpful for vattas.

Learning to seasonally manage our vatta, pitta and kappa is important so we feel energized, focused, strong and vital year around. We want you at your best, so Focus Yoga will be sharing much more about the Ayurveda lifestyle with you in our blogs and workshops. Watch our schedules and in the meantime try to incorporate these tips and see if you are better able to manage your fall symptoms.

The Teen and Yoga

If you have a teenager in your life, you know that this can be a wonderful, but tumultuous time. Jaci Uhrick, an instructor at Focus, teaches our Teen Yoga class. This class meets Wednesdays, beginning September 12, 4:00 - 5:15pm. Registration is required.

Jaci Uhrich on the left with her own teenagers!

Jaci, do you have teenagers yourself?  Yes, I have two daughters 17 and 15.  I have actually taught many of their friends which is always fun for me and embarrassing for them.

What made you interested in teaching this age group, other than living with teenagers of your own? I had read about many studios and schools especially on the east and west coast that were incorporating yoga into their schools and offering classes specifically for teens in their studios.  I also watch my own teens and their friends struggle with stress, the ability to focus, and to understand their own minds and bodies.  I thought of yoga right away as a great tool for this population and all the things they have to deal with at this time in their lives.

What is it you hope and plan for your teen students to learn from this class? I hope they will take time to stop and get to know their bodies, bring awareness to their breath and to what is going on in their minds.  Of course many athletes struggle with injuries, or tight hips and hamstrings, and we will address all of this as well.  But I really want them to get an understanding of what stands in the way of their success and being the best they can be and really being able to be in the moment in athletics and also in life.

What about the teenager that isn't an athlete? Would they get anything out of the Yoga for the Teen Athlete class?  Absolutely. We will address things that can be used in athletics as well as in life!  That is the beauty of yoga; anything learned on the mat can be applied to your everyday life, the tools can be applied to many situations.

I know you looove yoga! Are you an athlete as well?  I am. I am a runner and a spinner (indoor cycling).  The only way I can still physically run is because of yoga.  When I stretch and learn to relax the muscle when it needs to be relaxed and when my body is reminded of it's alignment I am able to do the physical activites that I enjoy (at age 47)!  The pranayama (breath work) that I practice in yoga helps me with my breathing especially when I run.  Of course the mind body connection that I create and am reminded of each time I practice yoga helps me to stay in the flow when I am biking or running and I come out being very centered and focused.

At Focus, we love having teens in our regular classes. But, some teens want to be in a "teen" class. Why do you think that is? I think yoga can be intimidating for some teens.  It seems out of reach for them, but when they come to a teen specific class they walk in a little more comfortable and confident. Of course they always walk out a bit more relaxed than when they came it.  I see it, and can feel it every class I teach.

I know from working with you that teaching teens is very near and dear to your heart. Why? I love introducing them to the concepts that come along with a yoga practice, often times it is the first time they have been introduced to these wonderful life tools, and I love being able to help them practice and learn them. I also love watching them just relax and be quiet for an hour, that is a rarity in most teen's lives these days.

Do you know a teen that could benefit from the stretching, strengthening, calming and focusing effects of a yoga practice? Send them here for more information on Teen Yoga!