I was recently talking to Clarkia Van Schravendijk, who is studying to be a Yoga instructor, about how Yoga can help transition the body through the different seasons. She has graciously written the following article for me to share with you all.
Namaste, Pik Chu
Fall is in the air…. Ayurvedic health educators( sister scientists of yoga) say it is important to slow down and support your liver’s natural ability to remove toxins from the body. One important, beautiful concept comes to my mind…..YOGA! Instead of using extreme detox measures, we can turn to wholesome mind and body yoga practices to un-stress and re-energize for the more stressful winter months to come.
As a yoga student and practitioner I continue to find strength i
n Surya Namaskara(Sun Salutations) and Ardha Chandrasana(Halfmoon Pose) in transition from long warm Summer – through Fall’s shorter days. We can benefit from adding Parivrrtas (twisting poses) to help the detoxification process and Balancing Asanas( poses) to keep ourselves grounded with concentrated focus on our mental and physical path towards a more busy winter season.
Children are back in school and life has a way of bringing us into a more hectic routine while in the back of our mind the stress of the holiday season is stirring up our sympathetic nervous system. Santosa( contentment) is a cultivation and protects our parasympathetic nervous system. Yoga poses and philosophy can protect our health and overall well being. In my yoga practice I like to incorporate heat building twisting poses which help the lymphatic and digestive system in the detoxification process. And I love standing balancing poses and inversions to calm the Sympathetic nervous system (fright and flight, part of the Autonomic nervous system) and thus promote the relaxation process. Inverted positions increase blood flow to the brain and this brings about a calming effect and can help in reducing stress. And of course after a warming, heartfelt yoga practice I like to replenish with healthy fresh cooked meals of seasonable vegetables, grains, beans and fruits. Maybe I will even go more inside my core and spirit and have candles at the table for a relaxing atmosphere! Try Kitchari, a simple dish of rice and mung beans to purify the body. It offers complete protein and it is also a natural anti inflammatory helping to detoxify the physical and mental body. Explore Parivrrta Utkatasana ( twisting chair pose) and Utthita Parivrrta Hasta Padangusthasana ( twisting hand to big toe pose).
I hope all of you will have a healthy, joyful yoga season!
– by Clarkia