Transition to Fall Season

Each of the three dosha namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha governs a specific season. Pitta governs the summer. Vata governs the fall through early winter and Kapha governs late winter through spring. Knowing the dominance of dosha for each season has a great practical value as this knowledge helps us decide our seasonal regime to keep the dosha balanced. To give an example, Pitta governs the summer. Hence during summertime we need to eat sweet, cooling food which keeps Pitta’s hot nature in balance.

It is equally important to know about the Transitioning between seasons because the sudden changes in the nature and our body tend to make is sick. As the season passes, our body gets used to the routine and lifestyle suited for that particular season. The transition period basically comprises of last few days (8 to be exact) of earlier season and the first few days of the new season. This is called Ritusandi. We Texans are just in the middle of the Ritusandhi (meaning the transition from one season to another). We have had a really hot summer this year and we are stepping into the most awaited fall. The air is starting to get cooler and this change in weather tends to bring the respiratory troubles in kids and elderly people. This is the time when a lot of people start getting infections such as influenza. Ayurveda provides specific guidelines on how to help our body to make this transition smooth.

Ayurveda recommends that during this transition period, we should gradually stop following the routine suitable for summer and start with the regime good for fall. To be specific, one should drink warm water. One should stop consuming icecream, smoothies and popsicles. It is advised to take warm water for shower. It is okay to eat food that is hot, sour and salty in taste. Warm soups and Khichadi (a combination of rice and mung beans) are especially helpful. One can really pick up his/her exercise schedule at this time. It is a good idea to consume season vegetables and fruits as they occur fresh in the market. If you see yourself bothered by the cold in the air during night and early morning, give yourself a warm gargle (You can add a pinch of turmeric and sea salt to warm water). Ayurveda also recommends keeping our body well-oleated during this period with the use of oil and ghee. If you have time and resources available, it is a good idea to get the cleansing therapies (the Panchakarma) done during Ritusandhi.

Agni - Key to Health

We have seen that Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the three dosha which together govern all the physiological and pathological processes in our body. Pitta is made up of fire and water element. The heat energy gives Pitta its unique digestive and transformative attributes is referred to as Agni. Agni is the biological fire that manages metabolism.

Agni is also vital for intelligence, perception and understanding. If the Agni is functioning optimally, digestion of food and absorption of nutrients occurs smoothly. The color of the skin and eyes is maintained by a functional Agni.  Agni also maintains the enzymes systems in our body and takes care of the bacterial flora in the intestines. Gastric fire, a form of Agni, determines the appetite of the body. Vata domination brings irregularity to appetite and digestion. Pitta domination makes the Agni very sharp while Kapha calms down the Agni. If the dosha are in balance Agni also remains functional. Imbalanced dosha affects Agni and causes problems in digestion which usually starts the process of an illness. When Agni is impaired our immune systems is affected lowering body resistance. Food is not digested and absorbed properly. As a result tissues lack growth and nourishment. Undigested food turns into heterogeneous sticky layer which is referred to Ama. According to Ayurveda, Ama is considered the root of all illnesses.  Ama creates congestion, stagnation in the body. It accumulates in the weaker parts of the body and causes clogging of channels, such as blood vessels and capillaries. Presence of Ama gives a typical coated appearance to the tongue.

Here are the simple tips to maintain a functional Agni and prevent formation of Ama:

1. Eat what suits your body constitution. 
2. Eat freshly cooked, warm food.
3. Exercise regularly (at least 2-3 times a week, 20-30 minutes a day).
4. Fast and give your digestive systems a rest every once in a while.
5. Watch the quantity of the food you eat. If you consider your stomach as having four parts, Ayurveda recommends eating 2 parts of solid food, 1 part of liquid and keeping 1 part empty for the movement of Vata.
6. Watch the time of eating. Do not eat until you are hungry and food taken in the previous meal is digested.
7. Do not eat incompatible food together such as milk and salt. 

Dosha and Constitution – Kapha

Kapha is one of three dosha (Vata, Pitta are the other two) that drive the physiology and pathology in our body.  Kapha is made up of water and earth elements. As can be deduced from its elemental make up, Kapha is the energy of structure and lubrication. It is the main force of procreation. Kapha is the dosha responsible for nourishment, growth and protection of tissues. Kapha share some properties with Vata and some with Pitta. At the same time, some of its properties are totally opposite to that of Vata and Pitta. Kapha is oily, wet, sticky, cold, heavy, smooth, dull, and static.

Let us see how these properties of Kapha affect the human constitution. We are going to refer than Kapha people whose mind and body is dominated by Kapha. Kapha people are easy to recognize. They have large body frame. They are heavy. Their bones and joints are strong. The bones are well covered with muscles and fat. Their face is large, usually round in shape. Eyes are large. The cheeks are chubby. Their face and skin color is usually fair. They have oily, smooth, thick and curly hair. Their arms seem long as compared to their body. Their skin is soft, oily and cool to touch.

Kapha people walk and talk slowly. They listen more than they talk. They are very patient and polite. They are physically strong and can do heavy work although they are a little lazy as compared to Vata people. They have very good memory. They like to eat warm or even hot food. They enjoy hot and spicy food. Their appetite is low and they often get filled with small portions of food at a time. They also drink less fluid. They tolerate hot and dry weather better over cold, rainy weather. They do less exercise and like sedentary work. They are usually forgiving, putting everyone else first. They sleep longer hours. They are not the people who are anxious and worrying all the time like Vata people. They seldom get angry. Kapha people are good friends who listen and do not judge. They love to take care of others. They enjoy company of a lot of people and happily host a party/event. They like to cook and serve. They are giving in nature. Kapha people are static and hesitant of any change.

Kapha people are prone to obesity, water retention, sinusitis, headaches. They are also susceptible to symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite and slow and improper digestion. Kapha people need to be warm, dry, light, hot and moving to be in balance. They should be careful about eating cold, oily, light, sweet, sour and salty food.