Find balance with Ayurveda this autumn

As we head into the autumn our wellness needs begin to change. The fading light might make us feel more lethargic than usual, the cold air might make our skin feel dry, and when the heating comes on we might start to feel a little more dehydrated. Much as you might change other aspects of your life with the seasons, you can also switch up your wellness rituals to boost your wellbeing, perhaps with a little spa inspiration. Ayurveda is a term that you might have heard around spa environments, or seen on spa treatment menus, but what is it and how can you use it to support your autumn wellbeing?

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that’s often incorporated into spa therapies. It originated in India more than 3,000 years ago, and is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge).

“Based on the idea that disease is due to an imbalance or stress in a person’s consciousness, Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment […] The concepts of universal interconnectedness, the body’s constitution (prakriti), and life forces (doshas) are the primary basis of ayurvedic medicine. Goals of treatment aid the person by eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, reducing worry, and increasing harmony in life. Herbs and other plants, including oils and common spices, are used extensively in Ayurvedic treatment.”

John Hopkins Medicine  

Bringing balance to the body

Ayurveda is also heavily linked to what it believes are five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space, which it focuses on bringing into balance in our bodies. People tend to be more dominantly characterised by one or the other elements, and these are defined as Ayurvedic ‘constitutions’ or energies called doshas, and when they're out of balance it can make you feel unwell. Spa guests will typically be asked questions before their treatment to determine their constitution determined and tailor their therapy. These doshas are called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha - roughly translated as air, fire, and earth respectively.

The Ayurveda Institute UK describes the dosha characteristics as follows:

Vata

Consisting primarily of air and space, this dosha is described as light, cold, rough, dry, flowing and spacious. They write that:

"People vata dominant dosha are usually energetic, slim and creative, known for thinking outside the box but just as easily distracted. It is considered the autumn of doshas."

Pitta

Pitta is based on fire and water, with characteristics often leading them to be tenacious and associated with light, heat, and fluidity. They write:

"These people are athletic and muscular and make strong leaders, being highly motivated, competitive and goal oriented. Pitta is considered as the summer of doshas."

Kapha

Focused on earth and water, the Kapha dosha is described as stable, steady, slow, heavy, cold and soft. They write:

"People with kapha dominant dosha are considered as caring and recognised as a support system for others. They rarely get upset and always think before acting in a slow and deliberate manner. This is recognised as the spring of the doshas."

How is Ayurveda used in spas?

Ayurveda can be a whole lifestyle choice, incorporating nutrition, detoxification, therapeutic herbs, bodywork therapies, yoga, meditation, relationships, and geographical influences and more.

However, spas have also incorporated elements of this to create entire spa experiences or individual treatments that draw on its principles. A purist Ayurvedic spa might look at tailoring your whole programme including activities, therapies and food to fulfil personal goals. There are also treatments that are associated with Ayurveda, such as Shirodhara, a healing technique that focuses on the steady flow of oil onto the ‘third eye’.

Often, spas will have brought this into elements of the experience, such as a particular massage or combination of therapies. A typical Ayurvedic treatment will often incorporate an element of massage with therapeutic oils and herbs used to suit your needs. For example, an Ayurvedic massage often includes the use of warm poultices to massage the body, which are often muslin clothes containing a mixture of warmed herbs to promote healing.

The Scarlet, in Cornwall, has famously designed its experience and treatment philosophy around Ayurveda, seeking to understand guests and tailor their therapies to their individual needs - prescribing holistic solutions rather than following a predetermined treatment pathway. Following a personal Ayurvedic consultation, you might enjoy a combination of tailored experiences include holistic face and body treatments, and bathing rituals in a clifftop hot tub, hammam, rhassoul, or candlelit copper tub.

Ayurveda in the autumn

Back to our seasonal focus, in Ayurveda, autumn is the season governed by the Vata (air) dosha. Vata is seen as:

• Windy
• Cold
• Rough
• Dry

It also governs the nervous system and mental health. Lots of us might notice feeling edgy, nervous or agitated in the autumn (something many of us will put down to the changing light and temperature), and it can also have an impact on digestion.

Top tips for coming back into balance in the autumn might include:

• Incorporate warming spices into your diet, such as ginger, turmeric and cinnamon.
• Focus on a nourishing diet with foods like porridge, quinoa, soups and rice dishes.
• Take extra care of your skin to protect it from drying effects - try nourishing oils
• Drink warm drinks - you might opt for a turmeric latte before bed
• Dress warmly in things that make you feel cared for.
• Do yoga poses that encourage you to breathe and stand tall, such as slow Sun Salutations.

The emphasis is on being kind to yourself and supporting your body through the changing season. It’s not a time for fasting and cold food

, it’s a time for self-care and warmth.