Turning over a new leaf for autumn

This year, especially, I was never so relieved to see the back of August. All the high hopes and expectations of a promising month dashed each time I viewed the weather forecast. In comparison, autumn brings a sense of balance, an assurance - the wind will blow and the leaves will fall - while summer in Ireland, on the other hand, is volatile, indecisive, one minute up, the next minute down. We might not be aware that each season has a role to play and since we are part of nature we, too, have a function or part in the play out of a season. This purpose for us is to blend in with the changing times. So what does autumn teach us about ourselves? The Fall quite literally falls in between two extreme weather periods, the summer (heat) and winter (cold). We are at the junction between the two extremes, a time to slow down and look after the body, and most importantly, to strengthen our immunity before the winter arrives. While the spring is about shaking the weight of winter, autumn teaches us to restore and nurture. It's no coincidence that people often take up a new hobby or begin a new venture in September. Consciously or sub-consciously, the season is playing a part in looking after ourselves. This is reflected at my yoga studio in Ashbourne, where classes are booked out. Autumn is also a time to prune back the garden and strip plants of their dead foliage in preparation for winter. So how do we apply this pruning to ourselves? Right now is a good time to follow a balanced detox programme. A sensible Ayurveda detox, known as yoga medicine, is a good place to start and there are a number of Ayurveda stores and practitioners that can be located across Ireland for further advice. Hazel from The Samadhi Centre, located in Rathgar, Dublin, says the change in season is an important time to look after ourselves as it's a time where we can easily become sick. "As we enter vata season, it is important to bring our bodies back to balance. As the cold wind starts to blow, our joints tend to dry out (as well as hair, skin and nails) and become creaky, our digestion can become weaker, causing constipation and excess gas, our sleep patterns can become unbalanced and our nervous system gets wound up. Through balancing our vata dosha, we can prevent this from happening, ensuring that we stay healthy, happy and well. A gentle detox at this time of year aids in bringing us back to balance." The Samadhi Centre recommends treatments such as the purva karma and warm oil massages which pacify vata. Warm, easily digested foods and plenty of rest are essential. Triphala (an Ayurvedic herb) aids in easing excess gas and constipation and is a gentle detox for the digestive system. Health in Ayurveda means harmony, and there is no end to the degree of harmony that we can achieve if we put our minds to it. This method of living emphasises prevention over cure, without neglecting cure. Some complain that Ayurveda works slowly, but slowness is often part of the remedy, especially today when many of us suffer from the disease of haste. Ayurveda balances and rejuvenates us, reducing our susceptibility and empowering our immunity to prevent disease from developing. So if you feel up for the challenge to better your health and life this autumn, first and foremost slow down. Take stock of your routine and the habits you have formed - from movement, to food consumed, to the amount of time spent in front of the TV or computer. Remember an overtaxed liver, an overtaxed mind and nervous system can lead to a host of health issues including fatigue, insomnia, indigestion and weight gain. Claire teaches Ashtanga and Pregnancy Yoga at The Yoga Room, Ashbourne. See www.yoga-meath.ie