From Autumn to Winter

The Warmth of Winter: A Personal Journey Through Ayurveda and TCM

The transition from autumn to winter has always been a special time for me. It's a period when I feel my body and mind calling for something different—a moment of stillness and introspection. In Ayurveda, this transition phase is called Ritu Sandhi, which literally means 'seasonal crossroads.' It spans fourteen days, from November 9th to 22nd, marking the transition from Sharad Ritu (Autumn) to Hemantha Ritu (Winter). I'd like to share with you how I experience this period and the insights I've gained from both Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Ayurvedic Approach: Ritucharya

In Ayurveda, Ritucharya—the seasonal regime that helps us live in harmony with nature—plays a central role. During Ritu Sandhi, it's important to gradually adjust your routines, allowing your body time to prepare for the coming winter months. I notice that when I make this transition consciously, I feel way more balanced druign the season.

• Nutrition

One of the things I adjust is my diet. I begin incorporating warming and nourishing foods, such as soups and stews with spices like cardamom and cinnamon. These spices stimulate digestion and help reduce accumulated ama (toxins) in the body. Seasonal vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potatoes regularly appear on my menu. They not only nourish my body but also give me a sense of connection to the earth.

I also notice that warm beverages support my digestive fire. A cup of herbal tea with ginger and honey helps me maintain internal warmth. I try to avoid cold and raw foods as much as possible, as I feel they weaken my digestion.

• Lifestyle

My daily routine also gets a winter update. I take more rest and ensure I protect myself from the cold. A warm oil massage with sesame oil, known as Abhyanga, is a ritual I try to integrate weekly during the colder months. It helps warm the body and hydrate the skin. I notice it calms my nervous system and helps release muscle tension as well.

Wearing layers of clothing, with my personal preference for natural materials like wool and cotton, helps me regulate my body temperature. I also try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed a bit earlier and waking up at the same time each day. This helps support my natural rhythms and ensures I feel more rested.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Water Element

Besides Ayurveda, I find much inspiration in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which forms the basis of Yin Yoga. In TCM, winter is associated with the Water element, representing wisdom, flexibility, and adaptability. The Kidney and Bladder meridians are central to this and play an important role in how we manage our energy and maintain emotional balance.

• Energy Management

In the Water element, storing energy is essential, something I noticeably experience during the winter months. I feel my body's need for more rest and sleep. When possible (because I'm 'only human' too), I go to bed earlier and wake up a bit later, aligning with the shorter days and longer nights. This helps me replenish my energy reserves and strengthen my immune system.

I spend more time on quiet, introspective activities like meditation and gentle yoga. While it sometimes feels counterintuitive in a world that never stops moving, this conscious choice to slow down helps me conserve energy and feel more balanced.

• TCM: Water-Element

A balanced Water element promotes resilience and courage. I notice that when I take good care of myself, I'm better equipped to handle stress and challenges. However, I also know that an imbalance can lead to feelings of anxiety and fatigue. That's why I take time to slow down and practice breathing exercises. This helps calm my mind and promote emotional stability. I also try to spend regularly time in nature. A walk along a river or lake has a calming effect on me and strengthens my connection to the Water element. Sometimes I play soft music or nature sounds to bring the outside world to me.

Yoga and the Water Element

For me, yoga is a powerful way to maintain both physical and emotional balance. During this period, I focus mainly on yin yoga, which helps stimulate the Kidney and Bladder meridians. Poses that stretch the back of the body, like forward folds, and poses that open the inner legs, like butterfly pose, help release blockages and improve energy flow.

During these poses, I pay extra attention to my breathing, trying to keep it deep and steady. This contributes to deeper relaxation and helps release muscle tension. Poses like Child's Pose (Balasana) and Reclined Butterfly Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana) are favorites for opening my lower back and hips—areas closely connected to the Water element.

Water teaches us the art of flowing with life. It effortlessly finds its way around obstacles and adapts to any form without losing its strength. I try to carry this wisdom into my daily life. It invites me to be determined yet soft and flexible, and to rest when needed. By connecting with water's flowing energy, I create space for strength, trust, and balance in my life.

Practical Tips for the Transition Period

I'd like to share a few practical tips that help me during this transition phase:

-Time with Water:

Spend time near water. Whether it's a walk along a lake or taking a warm bath, it strengthens the Water element's energy. The sound of flowing water has a calming effect on my mind and helps release stress.

-Protection from Cold: While it might seem obvious, warm clothing is essential. Keeping the lower back and feet warm especially helps protect the Kidney energy. Wear thick socks and sometimes use a hot water bottle to keep feet warm. Wearing a hat can also help, as much body heat is lost through the head.

Practicing in Winter's Silence at Studio Tree of Life

At Studio Tree Of Life in Breda, I warmly invite you to embrace winter's peace and quiet. In this time when nature turns inward, I invite you to do the same: be still, slow down, and listen to what your body and mind need.

During my Yin Yoga and Hatha Yoga classes, I guide you in taking conscious moments of rest. Together, we explore how you can experience more balance and resilience. Whether you're an experienced yogi or just beginning your yoga journey, my classes offer a personal and warm environment where you can connect with this season's energy.

Besides yoga, I also offer energetic treatments called 'Balance Sessions' that can support you during this transition period. A Balance Session can help you release tension and experience a deep sense of peace and balance. These sessions are designed to connect you with your own energy and inner wisdom, helping you move through winter with greater strength and resilience.

An Invitation to Slow Down

What does rest mean to you during this time of year? Do you find it challenging to slow down, or does it feel like a natural step to take more time for yourself? From personal experience, I know it can sometimes be challenging to truly turn inward, especially in a world that's always in motion.

Winter offers us a beautiful opportunity to rediscover our relationship with rest. I invite you to use this period to be still and slow down. At Studio Tree Of Life, I provide a space where you can practice stillness and deceleration, to come closer to yourself and discover what you truly need.

I would love to hear about your experiences and insights, whether during a yoga class, during an energetic session, or via my social media. Together, we create a winter full of stillness, rest, and renewed energy.

Kind regards,

Manoek - Studio Tree of Life Breda