According to Ayurveda, during Winter Vata increases. Vata is one of the three doshas and is composed of the elements Air and either. These elements lend Vata the characteristics of movement, light (in density), dryness, cool, changeable, rough, quick and formless. We see this in the cold winds that blow, the bare landscapes, and what feels like an endless expanse of night. At this time it becomes hugely important to support our inner fire, or Agni, by eating a nourishing diet of warm cooked whole foods at fixed times and using plenty of warming and grounding spices like ginger and turmeric (hello Turmeric Lattes!) Routine also becomes really important as an excess of Vata can make you feel really ungrounded so aim to prioritise movement even as the social calendar fills up. I highly recommend this Core Yoga Flow to warm you up and keep your inner fire strong, or try one of the weekly live My Happy Body online Yoga classes and make it a part of your routine
This brings me on to my next tip. Satya, one of the Yamas or guidelines for ethical living from a forefather of Yoga called Patanjali, means truthfulness. It is imperative that you are using your discernment and being really honest with yourself about how much you are taking on. You don’t need me to point out that the rhythm of nature begs us to retreat and hibernate more at this time of year which is hugely at odds with the mounting to-do list before the festive season kicks off. For the sake of your energy and your mental well-being remember to use your “no thankyous” and to have time to yourself so that you can bring the light of your beautiful unique ways that your friends and family love so much about you to the important gatherings.
Svadhyaya is another teaching from Patanjali which means inner-exploration or self study. As the nights draw in Winter is a wonderful time to turn your inner light on and explore your inner universe – or as I like to say, become an intra-naut (rather than astronaut). The stories we tell ourselves are powerful and can become our inner super-power or our kryptonite. Use winter to journal or simply take time without distraction (yes, that means no screens or distracting music). Allow your mind to be free from guidance from external sources and see where it wonders. What stories are you telling yourself? Likely, since humans have evolved to keep themselves safe, we lean toward the negative stories as a reminder of what-not-to-do-because-x-happened. Sometimes this is super useful and once upon-a-time it’s likely this story was keeping you safe from something. Yoga teaches us the mind is the reins controlling 5 horses each representing our senses. If the mind is weak the senses will always win. Svadhyaya or self study helps us to strengthen the mind and guide the horses rather than be constantly pulled around by them.
And as ever strive for kindness and balance. We all have different needs, different social batteries, different constitutions. What your bestie gets from being a social bunny might actually be detrimental to you, or vice versa. But we need to start befriending ourselves and treating ourselves with the same respect we would a loved one. Use this winter to fill-up your cup so you have more to share, rather than emptying it and feeling depleted.