I love this, Barbara, the idea of cooling down and cleansing as the season changes. I too adore this time of the year, Autumn we call it here, as the leaves are starting to turn. The air is freshening and we are still having lovely sunny days to ease the transition. Thank you for your wisdom which I shall enjoy absorbing and exploring further. 💛🤗☀️
Hey friend, this was fascinating. I've known that Ayurveda recommends cleansing between seasons, but never really understood WHY. Now for the million dollar question: what am I supposed to do, living in FL??
Hi Mary! I really should have touched on this in my article. The transitions are a little (maybe a lot) less obvious when you live in a warm climate. But, are you aware of how they do shift? And when? I've only lived in the Midwest and Northeastern parts of the country with four distinct seasons.
I would say to be aware of how you are feeling - if you're experiencing any of the symptoms I listed, then it's a good idea to try to cool your body (internally and externally) as best you can on a more regular basis. I imagine in FL you have lots of cooling fruits and veggies available. Neem is a wonderful herb for balancing heat in the body. which you can use year round. Here's a quick video describing its benefits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJePVJC6Vvw&t=2s It's pretty promotional :), but I studied with Dr. Douillard and he's the real deal and offers tons of free Ayurvedic info.
As for cleansing, I like to think of it as just a reset - giving the body a rest from certain foods and activities. Clearing our excesses of heat, dampness, etc. Kind of like a vacation for our body. Some cleanses are really intense and not for the faint of heart. I've never done well with them. I remember the first time I tried to do an Ayurvedic cleanse (John Douillard's two week cleanse) while my partner was in the hospital and ended up dying. I stupidly tried to stay on the cleanse for about a week until I finally snapped out of my stupidity. Now, I do much shorter gentler cleanses.
This is so helpful, Barbara. I feel totally out of whack these days -- overwhelmed, anxious, ungrounded, with hot flashes more prevalent than ever -- and in reading some of the resources you provided, I can see why. Do you think a one or a three day cleanse would be best? And what dosage of Neem would you recommend? I remember taking that years ago (to help with excess Pitta?) when I was working with Pratima Raichur for skin issues, but I don't remember how much I took.
I hope it's okay that I'm asking these specific questions!
Oh my goodness, don't be sorry! But thank you, Mary. It was many years ago. I can't imagine living somewhere where it's hot all the time. Especially if you have a predominantly Pitta constitution. 🔥🔥
You can always start with one day and if you feel like you can continue,, add another day, and another day, if desired. John Douillard has a two-week cleanse but that is not for the faint of heart. He also has lots of great articles on his Life Spa site.
Maybe go to Banyan's site and read about the Pitta-pacifying cleanse. https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/pages/ayurvedic-fall-cleanse-pitta?_pos=1&_sid=d5884b101&_ss=r Keep in mind that these are just suggestions and you don't need to be as rigid as the cleanse seems. Says the Vata 😂😂. Listen to you body. Sometimes a cleanse can spike my blood sugar - I need a fair amount of protein - and so I have to be mindful.
I don't take many supplements but I did start taking Neem towards the end of the summer. Can't really tell if it helped or not. Banyan recommends 1-2 tablets once of twice daily. Hope this helps!
Also...Pratima!!! Oh my how I miss her and her spa. I was iin walking distance and when I had all that chronic pain, I would go almost weekly for a vata abyhanga and that was one thing that really helped me heal. But $$ :(. Anyway, it was worth it! I think they stopped all services during/after The Covid (as my sister likes to call it!) Such a shame. XOXO
P.S. One last thing.., maybe get a good Pitta massage oil and do abhyanga. Even better, get someone to give you one! :) Ok, I'll stop! Can you tell I love Ayurveda?? XOXO
This is so incredibly helpful! I love the idea of starting with one day and seeing how it goes. And re: my dosha, I really think I'm a vata-pitta, which is why my lack of routine and overthinking too many choices over the past few months has sent me over the edge.
Thank you, dear friend, for all your wisdom. I'm so grateful 🙏🏼
Thank you Barbara for this great information and isn't it amazing that Nature provides the Pitta balancing fruit and veg that we need just at this liminal time when we need it most!
I love your posts on Ayurveda! This was helpful and I’ll look forward to finding some apples at the farmers market. And, roasted beets are so good! Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
I love this, Barbara, the idea of cooling down and cleansing as the season changes. I too adore this time of the year, Autumn we call it here, as the leaves are starting to turn. The air is freshening and we are still having lovely sunny days to ease the transition. Thank you for your wisdom which I shall enjoy absorbing and exploring further. 💛🤗☀️
We’ve been having the same warm sunny days so I’ve been soaking them up. Yes, we call it Autumn, too! Thx for reading, Sue. 🧚💚
I need a good fast!!!!! 😆🥰🙌
Don't we all! XOXO
Hey friend, this was fascinating. I've known that Ayurveda recommends cleansing between seasons, but never really understood WHY. Now for the million dollar question: what am I supposed to do, living in FL??
Hi Mary! I really should have touched on this in my article. The transitions are a little (maybe a lot) less obvious when you live in a warm climate. But, are you aware of how they do shift? And when? I've only lived in the Midwest and Northeastern parts of the country with four distinct seasons.
I would say to be aware of how you are feeling - if you're experiencing any of the symptoms I listed, then it's a good idea to try to cool your body (internally and externally) as best you can on a more regular basis. I imagine in FL you have lots of cooling fruits and veggies available. Neem is a wonderful herb for balancing heat in the body. which you can use year round. Here's a quick video describing its benefits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJePVJC6Vvw&t=2s It's pretty promotional :), but I studied with Dr. Douillard and he's the real deal and offers tons of free Ayurvedic info.
As for cleansing, I like to think of it as just a reset - giving the body a rest from certain foods and activities. Clearing our excesses of heat, dampness, etc. Kind of like a vacation for our body. Some cleanses are really intense and not for the faint of heart. I've never done well with them. I remember the first time I tried to do an Ayurvedic cleanse (John Douillard's two week cleanse) while my partner was in the hospital and ended up dying. I stupidly tried to stay on the cleanse for about a week until I finally snapped out of my stupidity. Now, I do much shorter gentler cleanses.
Hope this helps! And thx for reading, Mary! XOXO
This is so helpful, Barbara. I feel totally out of whack these days -- overwhelmed, anxious, ungrounded, with hot flashes more prevalent than ever -- and in reading some of the resources you provided, I can see why. Do you think a one or a three day cleanse would be best? And what dosage of Neem would you recommend? I remember taking that years ago (to help with excess Pitta?) when I was working with Pratima Raichur for skin issues, but I don't remember how much I took.
I hope it's okay that I'm asking these specific questions!
And PS... I'm so sorry about the loss of your partner. I had no idea. I feel lousy not saying that first...😔
Oh my goodness, don't be sorry! But thank you, Mary. It was many years ago. I can't imagine living somewhere where it's hot all the time. Especially if you have a predominantly Pitta constitution. 🔥🔥
You can always start with one day and if you feel like you can continue,, add another day, and another day, if desired. John Douillard has a two-week cleanse but that is not for the faint of heart. He also has lots of great articles on his Life Spa site.
Maybe go to Banyan's site and read about the Pitta-pacifying cleanse. https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/pages/ayurvedic-fall-cleanse-pitta?_pos=1&_sid=d5884b101&_ss=r Keep in mind that these are just suggestions and you don't need to be as rigid as the cleanse seems. Says the Vata 😂😂. Listen to you body. Sometimes a cleanse can spike my blood sugar - I need a fair amount of protein - and so I have to be mindful.
I don't take many supplements but I did start taking Neem towards the end of the summer. Can't really tell if it helped or not. Banyan recommends 1-2 tablets once of twice daily. Hope this helps!
Also...Pratima!!! Oh my how I miss her and her spa. I was iin walking distance and when I had all that chronic pain, I would go almost weekly for a vata abyhanga and that was one thing that really helped me heal. But $$ :(. Anyway, it was worth it! I think they stopped all services during/after The Covid (as my sister likes to call it!) Such a shame. XOXO
P.S. One last thing.., maybe get a good Pitta massage oil and do abhyanga. Even better, get someone to give you one! :) Ok, I'll stop! Can you tell I love Ayurveda?? XOXO
This is so incredibly helpful! I love the idea of starting with one day and seeing how it goes. And re: my dosha, I really think I'm a vata-pitta, which is why my lack of routine and overthinking too many choices over the past few months has sent me over the edge.
Thank you, dear friend, for all your wisdom. I'm so grateful 🙏🏼
Thank you Barbara for this great information and isn't it amazing that Nature provides the Pitta balancing fruit and veg that we need just at this liminal time when we need it most!
Thx for reading, Ingrid! And, yes! Mother Nature knows best! XO
I love your posts on Ayurveda! This was helpful and I’ll look forward to finding some apples at the farmers market. And, roasted beets are so good! Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Thanks for reading, Amanda. You've probably already heard it ad nauseam from me! 🔥 🍎 XO
Great information, Barbara. Appreciate you sharing what you've learned. Apples and beets... I can do that! 🍎🌿😘
Thx for reading, Kathleen! There's nothing like a fresh apple right off the tree in the fall. XOXO