Awakening Self: Connie Habash's Articles and Newsletters

The cool air brushes past my cheek and swirls down the street, catching dry leaves lying innocently in the way. A counter-breeze meets it and suddenly leaves and dust spiral into a dance, whirling chaotically across the road. Blowing through leaves remaining on the trees, the wind has a distinctly different sound: rattling, shaking, the rough dryness is harsh compared to the soft fullness of summer foliage. The brisk winds of Autumn have arrived.

According to Ayurveda (as well as common sense), wind is by nature drying, and at this time of year, it also brings a chill. We see the effects of the wind in ourselves - dry skin, coldness, mental restlessness, and anxiety or fearfulness. We may find our minds race during the Fall due to this aggitating energy of air element, especially when we wake in the middle of the night around 3 or 4am, struggling for hours to get back to sleep. Wind is also changeable, fluctuating. Our schedules may be different from week to week, as we shift from the flurry of summer activities to the Fall to-do list. We haven't slowed down yet - we've just replaced getting outdoors with getting things done. Our minds may be racing, from what's the next task to worries and deadlines.

What we really need in the Autumn is to tame this energy of the wind. We need a feeling of being grounded, stable, quiet, and still, especially in our minds. Our bodies also need more moisture and warmth. Knowing some things you can do to bring balance to this cold, chaotic, and chilly energy will make the transition through Fall much more comfortable.

On the physical level, the drying needs to be counteracted by oilation. Using ghee, or clarified butter, in cooking as well as other warming oils, such as sesame oil, can be helpful and soothing. Taking a supplementaion of essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, and 9) will also help moisturize and replenish from the inside out. Additionally, you can slather that sesame oil on the skin in the shower to nourish the skin from the outside. As always, Ayurveda recommends warming, moist foods at this time of year, such as soups and stews, to calm the wind-dominated Vata energy which is surging right now. Drinking hot water with chopped fresh ginger root is great for an instant calming and warming effect.

Our yoga practice at this time should stabilize, ground, and warm us from the inside. Starting with Agni Sara, a practice of pumping the navel, will awaken the internal "fire", keeping digestive organs healthy and preventing the occasional bout of constipation that can show up as the weather cools off. All standing poses (such as the 3 Warrior poses, Triangle pose, Tree poses, Mountain Pose, etc.) are recommended, as they create firmness and strength, stabilize the body, and steadily warm us through. Backbends (especially those on the belly) to build heat, Inversions for overall balancing, and Forward bends (particularly Pascimottanasana) to ground, calm, and soothe body and mind, round out a solid Autumn yoga practice. Let the pace be slow and steady, with long holds, to counteract the whirlwinds of Autumn spinning through us.

Quieting the mind can be a tough task in any season, but initiating a practice that calms the mental energy during the Fall helps get us through the entire cold season. Simple breathwork can begin the process. You can begin with 3-part breath (Dirgha pranayama), inhaling from the belly, diaphragm, and then upper chest in sequence and exhaling in reverse. Start with a moderate pace, then attempt to slow and lengthen the breath. Ujjayi pranayama, which involves making a soft sound like the wind blowing through the trees, can then be engaged. About 10 slow breaths with equal inhalations and exhalations will go far towards calming down an overactive brain.

A meditation practice will naturally follow this simple breathwork. If you don't already have your own meditation practice, here is a simple one that particularly calms an aggitated mind. Sit in a comfortable position with the spine tall, either on a cushion or on a chair. As you inhale, say the word "deep" mentally to yourself, and as you exhale, say the word "peace". Do this for at least 3 minutes, up to 20. Focus on feeling the quality of deep peace within you. This can be a soothing break at work or a relaxing reprieve from your wild and crazy kids after they've gone to bed. Doing this as a nighttime routine will aid in quieting the mind, drifting off to sleep more easily.

As you begin to bundle up against the cold, brisk breeze of Autumn, imagine the warm, soothing fire within. You have the tools to tame the inner and outer winds and allow yourself to enjoy the wonder of Autumn's transformation.