Nurturing your body this Autumn

As we move from one season to the next, it's time to clear out toxins and bring our focus to stability, grounding, warming and a sense of nurturing. It's a time for creating routines that support you not punish you, waking up and going to bed at the same time, regular activity in the form of gentle warming yoga and a nourishing diet can all help balance the characteristics of air, space and movement which are prominent in Autumn.Cooking with warming spices such as cloves, ginger cardamon, nutmeg and cinnamon will also be beneficial to maintain balance and wellbeing throughout the colder months. Avoid cold or raw food. Sip on warm herbal teas throughout the day.

In Ayurveda the world – and within it our bodies, minds, emotions, and interactions; is understood as made up of a combination of five elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth.In the autumn the elements of air and space are heightened in our external environment (in the form of wind, dryness, crackling leaves). As a result these elements will manifest in our minds and bodies too.

A balanced Vata mind and body will be creative, agile and capable of great enthusiasm. But an excess of air and space in our minds might cause anxiety, lack of concentration, inability to finish a task… in our bodies it can cause dryness of skin and hair, cracking of joints, nervousness and even constipation.

For a grounding and nourishing start to the day make a Coconut Rice Porridge by soaking 30g of basmati rice in 1/3 block of creamed coconut and 400-500mls water. Add warming spices and let it infuse overnight. Cook in the morning. Alternatively, cook evening in a slow cooker overnight on the lowest setting. Make root vegetables soups ad stews. Roasted or steam veggies are also great. Season them well with curry powders or other warming seasoning, add a bit of oil and you will be sorted!