Why do we naturally gravitate towards the warmer spices and flavors during the cold fall months? From an Ayurvedic perspective, there is a natural phenomenon that is pulling us towards the spices and heavier foods as the body's natural way of harmonizing and balancing ourselves out based on what is happening outside. Vata is on the rise, and it's time to bring it into balance. 

My teacher Dr. Lad always says--whatever is outside, is inside--and we don't necessarily take this with a grain of salt. Whether its the weather patterns, the sun, the change of the season, the general energy of what is happening--all of these in some way manifest within us as well on a physical, mental, and emotional level. Everything in existence is made up of the 5 elements--ether, air, fire, water, and earth. And because of that everything has some combination and permutation of vata, pitta, and kapha. So, with this same logic, everything that happens out in our surroundings and environments is essentially a play of vata, pitta, and kapha. 

In the Autumn months as the temperatures begin to drop and the wind picks up, we begin to see predominantly the qualities of ether and air begin to rise--cold, rough, dry, mobile. It is officially vata-season. This is why we experience things like dry hair or our digestion becomes a little irregular, or when we say "I feel the cold in my bones"--well ether and air qualities are going to impact the spaces and holes within us. So it makes sense that we feel these things. 

Gut health. It sure has become quite the hot topic amongst wellness influencers. But honestly, Ayurveda has been talking about this for thousands of years. The phrase "you are what you eat" isn't really a random thing to say. Everything that we put into our body is hopefully absorbed in a meaningful and useful way for the body. And all of that actually starts with digestion. 

Understanding how our digestion is Ayurveda 101. As much as we've been trained to think that gas and bloating is somewhat normal--just take gas-x, heart burn is a byproduct of the food we eat--take a tums, feeling sleepy after eating--just take a nap. None of these are actually normal. It's a tell-tale sign that our digestive capacity isn't where it needs to be, and we're not actually digesting (meaning breaking down and assimilating the food) into our bodies in a way that actually nourishes. This tends to be the starting point of poor bowel movements or lack thereof, various other gut issues, and a disturbance in our gut microbiome. 

In this series, I want to breakdown what is healthy and what isn't, what is appropriate and what isn't, and what does our body need and what it doesn't. Because, honestly, we've all fallen to the whims of a one-size-fits-all method of looking at our health, and that unfortunately is just not the way our bodies work. We are a unique and beautiful combination and permutation of so much--the 5 elements, different qualities, our genes, plus plus plus--and if we look at our digestive health and just take some probiotics and call it a day, well, we've missed the mark on what is actually good for us. So, what is agni?

Happy Thursday all! I hope that this evening finds you well. I hope that this time between Thanksgiving and December holidays are giving you peace and calm rather than the franticness that usually permeates throughout. If anything, I see moments of this energy of just being with vs. trying to get everything done and keeping up, and it feels really sweet to me. That there is a turning energy in our society to return to rest and comfort in what brings us joy rather than an attempt at what may bring us joy. 

Me on the other hand am fully enveloped in getting ready to leave for India, after a 4-year hiatus. All I can truly think about is clearing out my refrigerator so that I don't have to end up throwing away a bunch of food, but rather actually being able to use it all in meaningful ways. The challenge is always inspiring, and so far the fruits of my imagination have been lovely. I'm thinking of sharing a few of the products on my Instagram for some inspiration. 

I've also been cherishing these longer, darker nights, despite the moment of panic that sets in at 6pm each night when I think it is actually 10pm, only later realizing that it is in fact only 6pm. I find these what-seem-to-be drastic changes in light and time comforting to say the least--to be able to live in harmony and sync with Mother Nature and her ebbs and flows. It just feels so nourishing. 

To be able to wind down and cozy up with a book, or meditation, or some other sort of reflective practice in these dark nights feels special. The inherent internal shift to relax and become in tune with the simplicity of being with the Self and self feels long awaited after a long summer. Nonetheless, I'm finding peace and enjoying the very intentional slowing down rhythm that has been my life the past few days. 

I'm reminded of the polar nights in these times--where in the North Pole it is dark all day (and night), but then you get these glimmers of the Northern Lights that just permeate through skies--inspiring awe and wonder. In that same vain, the little glimmers of light that just pierce through the darkness of the winter feel so special and something to hold onto and lean into to guide me forward into something the Universe has in store with me. 

It all just feels so right. 

Anyways, here are my few random things that are currently in my brain that I'd like to share with you. Enjoy. :)