The other day, we had our first real snowfall, ushering in winter.  There is stillness in the air as a blanket of snow covers the ground.  Winter is here and mother nature invites us to pause with her.  

Ayurveda connects each season with the doshas.  Winter is vata season with its cold, light, rough, and mobile qualities.  We feel the mobile quality as we hustle to prepare for the holidays, which may leave us feeling a little weary, flighty, and maybe even crancky.   Ayurveda reminds us to find a sense of grounding amid the rush.   Balance  the qulaities of vata dosha with warm, nourishing foods, grounding rituals, and moments of stillness.

One vata balancing  self-care ritual I want to highlight is the practice of Ayurvedic self-massage called Abhyanga.  Warm oil is used to bring softness and grounding to balance vata dosha.  And did you know the word for oil in Sanskrit ( the language of Ayurveda) is sneha, also means love ?  As you practice abhyanga, you are bathing yourself in love, nourishing your mind, body and heart.   

Take a few minutes daily for abhyanga and make time weekly to luxuriate in this self-care ritual to feel a deep sense of stability, warmth and love.  Find instructions below. 

LINK to hankout 

#winter #vataseason #abhyanga #selfcare #ayurveda