Winter Ritucharya

Winter is officially here.  Ahhhhh winter.  When we are in balance it can be a cozy season of rest, introspection, quiet practice, warm teas, warm baths and warm blankets to balance the external cold.  When we are out of balance, it can be a season of internal darkness, sluggishness, lethargy, loneliness and harshness, seemingly increased by the lack of light and color.

Don't get me wrong, I despise the cold.  I have a chronic case of where's my extra layer???  My side of the bed always has an extra blanket and you may find me curled up with socks and a sweater while I sleep.  My body lacks a strong internal fire, the kind that finds some people throwing blankets to the other side of the bed in the middle of the night and searching for cold drinks regardless of the single digit on the thermometer outside.

Despite my aversion to all things cold, I understand, respect and enjoy Winter's purpose.  Winter provides the perfect space for rest.  If you look outside, nature is resting.  She is hibernating, saving her energy for a more appropriate time of year.

If I have learned one thing from studying Ayurveda intensively this year, you do not get into a battle of wits with Mother Nature.  She will smack you down.  There is no way to get around nature, you cannot talk a hurricane into shifting it's course or pretend that you will get on your flight to Chicago when they have actually cancelled it due to a foot of snow (yes, this did just happened to me yesterday).  Nature will run it's course, regardless of how you feel about it.

So my advice?  Work with it.  Seek the beauty of winter, it's stillness, it's silence and even it's darkness.  It is easier to see the stars that way, both in the sky and inside of ourselves.  What glows inside of you regardless of the season?

Oh, and eat warm food and drink warm beverages.  Do your asana practice with determination and effort.  Focus on commitment and strength.  Think long holds in standing or inverted postures.  Take pranayama practices that uplift energy and create internal heat.  Winter can also be a fantastic time to take back some time for quiet meditation.  Winter is already doing it.  Follow it's lead.