By Leslii Stevens ERYT500, YACEP, Ayurveda Practitioner
The Fall Equinox marks that special moment when day and night become equals. It’s a time of transition, where nature is gently telling us to slow down, reflect, and reset. Just as the leaves change color and fall away, we too can shed what no longer serves us and bring balance to our minds and bodies. Enter Ayurveda and yoga—your ultimate toolkit for navigating the season with grace, humor, and a few belly-warming soups.
Let’s dive into how we can embrace the Fall Equinox by using the wisdom of Ayurveda and yoga, so we can stay grounded, healthy, and warm as the cool air starts to roll in.
The Fall Equinox: Balance Between Light and Dark
First, let’s chat about what the Fall Equinox actually is. Twice a year (around March and September), the sun sits directly over the equator, giving us equal parts day and night. It’s nature’s way of hitting the reset button before the shorter days and colder nights take over. This moment of balance between light and dark is a cosmic cue to restore harmony within ourselves as well.
Think of it as a natural checkpoint—our last chance to declutter, recharge, and prepare for the hibernation mode that winter brings. And no, I’m not suggesting you literally hibernate (though a cozy blanket and a good book sound amazing right now), but mentally, it’s a great time to reset and find your inner balance.
Grounding with Ayurvedic Rituals
Ayurveda, the ancient system of natural medicine, has us covered when it comes to seasonal transitions. Fall is ruled by the Vata dosha, which is all about air and ether—think dry, cool, and scattered energy (hello, wind and falling leaves). To combat this, we need to add some grounding, warming, and moisturizing practices to our daily routine.
Here’s your Ayurvedic starter pack for the fall:
1. Tongue Scraping: Scraping your tongue every morning is not just about removing that funky white film (you know the one). It helps get rid of toxins that accumulate overnight, boosts your digestion, and keeps your taste buds primed for the seasonal flavors. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying.
2. Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil: Swish a spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth for 10-20 minutes before brushing. It’s like giving your mouth a mini-detox, flushing out bacteria while keeping gums healthy. Bonus: it also helps with seasonal allergies by clearing out any lingering pollen and gunk. Plus, your dentist will love you for it.
3. CCF Tea (Cumin, Coriander, Fennel): This classic Ayurvedic tea is like a hug for your digestive system. Sip it warm throughout the day to help stoke your digestive fire (Agni) and keep things running smoothly. It’s also a fantastic remedy for bloating and detoxifies the body. And hey, who doesn’t need a little detox post-summer?
4. Warm Soups and Stews: Time to trade in the smoothies for warm, grounding soups. Think hearty vegetable stews, lentil soups, and bone broth to nourish your body. Not only do they soothe your digestion, but they’ll also help you transition from that light summer diet to the heavier, warming foods that fall craves.
Breathe Deep: Pranayama to Warm and Ground
When it comes to pranayama (breathwork), fall is the perfect season to integrate Bhastrika—the “bellows breath.” This powerful breath is a little firestarter for your body, generating internal heat, warming you up from the inside out, and giving your digestion a little extra love.
Here's how you do it:
Position: Kneeling and sitting on heels if possible...if not seated cross legged.
Hands in fist near shoulders. Breathing through the nose. Vigorous inhale up.
Strong exhalation down. Repeat 15-20 times.
Wrap fingers around thumbs, place the knuckles together in the lap inhale deep, drop the chin down and hold the breath for 5 counts.
Repeat all of this 3 times.
Not only does Bhastrika warm you up, but it’s also fantastic for toning the vagus nerve, which helps calm your nervous system and keep stress at bay. And who couldn’t use a little help in the stress department these days? (Raises hand!)
Yoga Poses for Balance and Strength
As nature shifts, so should our yoga practice. It’s time to ground down with poses that help us find stability, strength, and balance.
- Tree Pose (Vrksasana): Just like a tree, we need to be grounded in our roots to stay stable during the changing season. Stand tall, engage your core, and channel your inner oak (or maple, if you’re feeling more colorful). This pose helps strengthen your legs while teaching you balance—physically and mentally.
- Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II): Fall is a time to harness the strength of a warrior. Channel your inner badass with this powerful pose that grounds you while building focus and strength. It’s perfect for releasing any lingering summer energy that no longer serves you.
- Child’s Pose (Balasana): For those moments when the fall winds have scattered your thoughts (and to-do list), Child’s Pose will bring you back to your center. Use this as a resting pose to reconnect with your breath and calm your mind. If this not an easy resting pose then try Tabletop as your resting pose and slowly work your hips back to your heels when you are ready and range of monition starts to improve.
Warm Soups, Warm Hearts
Since fall is all about warmth, I’m going to leave you with some quick Ayurvedic tips for fall foods:
1. Eat Warm and Cooked: Think soups, stews, and roasted vegetables. Avoid cold, raw foods, which aggravate Vata (the air dosha) and leave you feeling ungrounded.
2. Spice It Up: Add spices like ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and cumin to your meals. These warming spices help stoke your digestive fire and keep your belly happy.
3. Drink Warm Liquids: Whether it’s warm water with lemon, herbal teas, or broths, keep it warm to avoid aggravating Vata and to keep things flowing smoothly.
Tips for the Fall Equinox Reset
Let’s wrap it up with a quick list of tips to reset for the Fall Equinox:
1. Reflect and Release: Take time to reflect on what you want to let go of this season. Like the trees shedding leaves, let go of anything that’s weighing you down—whether it’s mental clutter or that closet you’ve been avoiding.
2. Ground Yourself Daily: Practice grounding yoga poses like Tree Pose and Warrior II. Incorporate Ayurvedic self-care rituals like tongue scraping and oil pulling to start your day feeling centered.
3. Stay Warm: Use Bhastrika pranayama to build internal heat. Focus on warm, cooked foods, and add spices to keep your body cozy from the inside out.
4. Connect with Nature: Go for a walk and notice the changes around you. Take in the colors of the leaves, the crispness in the air, and the calmness that comes with fall. (Bonus points if you snap a picture and post it with #FallEquinoxVibes!)
5. Set Intentions for Fall: The equinox is a perfect time to set new intentions for the season. Take a moment to journal what you want to cultivate—whether it’s more balance, rest, or creativity.
So, as we prepare for the shorter days and cooler nights, use this Fall Equinox as an opportunity to pause, reflect, and bring balance into your life. Embrace the seasonal shift with grounding rituals, warming foods, and practices that help you stay balanced. And remember, just like the trees, it’s okay to let go of what no longer serves you—your balance is just around the corner.
Happy Fall, friends!
Shanti,
Leslii
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