~Abhyanga: Oil massage. Massage warm sesame or almond oil onto body before bathing. Let oil soak in at least 15 minutes before showering. (Recommended to have a designated ‘oil robe’ or ‘oil clothes’ to put on while waiting for oil to soak in as not to stain any clothes unintentionally)
~Eat the bounty of seasonal foods such as carrots, radishes, yams, sweet potato’s, dark leafy greens, and all the yummy root vegetables that are great for grounding down. Also enjoy the fruits coming into season such as varieties of apples and pears. As the weather continues to cool off, try cooking your fruit for a warming treat (like and visit our Facebook page, Manish Chandra Santa Cruz Ayurveda for a delicious recipe). Think more cooked moist foods as opposed to raw and cooling foods of summer.
~ Drink warm water upon waking(after brushing teeth & scraping tongue) to cleanse organs and warm body.
~Before bed drink 1 cup of warm milk(or milk substitute of choice) with a pinch of nutmeg. This will help to nourish your body and ease restful sleep.
~Massage oil onto soles of feet, scalp, and ears before bed.
These practices help to follow the seasonal patterns of nature and food, as well as balance out the elemental factors that come into play. As we move into fall we want to balance the drying and cooling aspects of this time as well as the wind which picks up and tends to unground us. So try these suggestions to focus on grounding down, oiling up, staying warm and eating fresh, cooked, & local as we move into the season of fall.
Wishing you health, vibrancy, and balance.