Changes in Seasons Bring Changes in Physical Routines

In the northern hemisphere, winter signals the end of earth’s cycle around the sun. Our planet is closest to the sun during our winter, concentrating solar heat to a small portion of the earth, while cooling other areas. We in the northern hemisphere experience colder energy during winter months. Daylight hours are shorter and most of our time is spent in darkness.

In yoga philosophy, an aspect of human life is experienced within five energetic bodies known as Koshas or “sheaths.” The outermost covering of the Koshas is called Annamaya. Annamaya Kosha represents our gross physical form and is nourished by the foods that we eat. Within Annamaya Kosha we feel and perceive the physical world by our experiences with the natural environment.

During the colder months of winter, proper sustenance to support our Annamaya Kosha is key to maintaining our health and well-being. Winter is associated with the element of air. Cold air increases dryness in our skin, nasal passages, and lungs. Our heads, hands and feet may be the first to experience the challenges of cold weather as our inner Agni (heat) moves further inward to keep our vital internal organs warm and secure.

We can nourish our Annamaya Kosha by transitioning our daily lifestyle routine in tune with the season. While outdoors, cover your head, hands and secure your feet with proper footwear. Ease into a diet that includes warm, moist foods like soups and stews. Warm porridges like oatmeal and muesli are soothing ways to warm up our bodies and provide a good source of fiber to ease digestion. Seasonal foods include roots like carrots, beets and sweet potatoes, and healthy green vegetables such as bok choy, brussel sprouts and spinach. Hydrate with warm or hot beverages such as herbal teas like ginger and turmeric root, hot water with fresh lemon, lime and honey or warm unsweetened apple cider.

Winter’s end of year cycle calls us to be introspective and a daily yoga practice can support this time well. Incorporate one or two yoga practices of the following in your daily routine. 

Hatha Yoga. Winter’s physical yoga practice becomes more yin-like, moving through slower paced asanas or poses and enjoying longer restorative poses or savasana. If you prefer a vinyasa or flow practice, moon salutations align well with winter. 

Pranayama. Practicing the breathing exercises of pranayama will stimulate warmth in our bodies and keep nasal passages clear. Dirga (3-part breath) and Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) are two pranayama practices that can be followed every day to calm, balance and strengthen our minds.

Mindfulness. A meditation practice on the Niyama of Svadhyaya (self-discovery) may lead us to contemplate, “What have I learned about myself during this past year?” 

Our daily yoga practice acts as a road map for our journey of self-discovery. Flowing with nature’s cyclical seasons helps us unfold the true self that is the journey of human life.