oil & water
AM winter rituals & Ayurvedic class tomorrow
Back in the summer of 2017, I started taking cold showers, and continued doing so for a year.
That winter was when they became especially essential. I was working outdoors with horses, and it was COLD.
Consistently choosing to do that hard thing at the start of the day for that long built my sense of toughness.
At a certain point — specifically, when I realized I’d gained the discipline I sought and realized I needed more softness in my life — I stopped the cold showers.
Recently, they’ve made their way back into my morning routine. But not before I oil my body. Oil’s a fantastic ally during the cold seasons.
In Ayurveda, we call winter vata season.
Vata is one Ayurveda’s three doshas, or energies. Vata is cold, dry, and light. In Ayurveda, we look to incorporate qualities opposite to those of the dominant season to bring balance and wellbeing. Oil warms, moisturizes, and grounds.
Want to learn more about how to support your health — mental, physical, emotional — during the winter?
Join me tomorrow Friday, December 19th from 12-12:45 for a Zoom-based offering,
❄️ Winter Wellbeing with Ayurveda.
Can’t join live? Register to receive the replay.
I’ll leave you with this microhabit:
Try oiling your nostrils in the morning and at night. It might sound odd if you’re new to the concept, but I swear by this ritual. What with the air being so dry, and our tendency towards breathing (can’t really stop it if we’re alive, right?), it’s very supportive.
To explore this, you can use any oil from your kitchen (sesame is great if you have it, but any type works). Pour a few drops of the oil into your palm. Dip the pinky of your other hand into the oil, gathering as much as you can. Tilting your head back, put your pinky up your nostril. Rotate your finger so the inside of your nostril is protected from the dry air with a barrier of oil. If you like, try for a good sniff to bring the oil further up into your nasal cavity. Especially at night, this practice pairs well with a humidifier!
Breathe easy! Take heart!
