A Pukka Life by Sebastian Pole is about the art of living wisely, guided by the wisdom of Ayurveda…
An exclusive excerpt from the forthcoming book by Sebastian Pole of ‘Pukka herbs’ fame
A Pukka Life by Sebastian Pole is about the art of living wisely, guided by the wisdom of Ayurveda. With the onset of Winter we take a look at how we shoud align ourselves with the changing season.
PUKKA PRACTICE
SEASONAL ROUTINES
When trying to align ourselves with the changing seasons we need to bear in mind the great Ayurvedic principle of ‘like increasing like’ (see Constitution, p.14 ). To help keep you balanced, you need a diet and lifestyle that is opposite to the quality of the season cleansing in spring; cool in summer; oily in the autumn; and warm in winter. If you are a mixed constitutional type, follow the advice in Constitution, Pukka Practice, p.33.
Winter routine
During winter the earth’s energy is drawn back into herself. It is a time of rest, storing and preparation. This is when you need to be more grounded, internalized and still. The weather is often cold, wet, cloudy and heavy and is dominated by the Earth and Water elements. Because of the Ayurvedic rule that ‘like increases like’, all these qualities aggravate kapha; remember that kapha means ‘that which flourishes in water’. In climates where there is a long winter, this extended period of cold can cause vata to become out of kilter, and so people with vata
Imbalances really need to be mindful in these constitutionally identical conditions. If you have a kapha constitution you should follow as many of these recommendations as you can. If you are vata you will also benefit, but if you are pitta then keep clearing heat from the inside of your body whilst keeping the exterior warm.
· Sleeping in until a bit later is fine in winter, as staying warm in your bed helps you to rejuvenate.
· When you get up, brush your teeth with stimulating cinnamon, clove and haritaki toothpaste to reduce sensitivity to the cold.
· Holding warm sesame oil in the mouth is also useful in winter.
· Massage yourself with warm sesame oil or kapha oil to offset the seasonal tendency to coldness, aching joints and ‘frozen shoulder’. Leave some time for the oil to be absorbed, then take a warm shower.
· Put a drop of nasya oil in the nose. This can help to alleviate depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) by bringing lightness and clarity.
· For your first drink of the day sip warm ginger water. Add a twist of lemon with some honey to help relax the digestive system, wake up your appetite and encourage a healthy bowel motion.
· Practice stimulating Yoga to balance kapha, increase your circulation and clear excess mucus. Do vigorous Sun Salutations (surya namaskar) until you are warm and your breathing becomes deep. Also include some strong backward and forward bends that open the chest and help move stagnant kapha (see Strength and Stillness, p. 159)
· Your diet should comprise warm foods that are mildly spicy, slightly salty and nourishing to clear kapha but not aggravate vata. We usually eat more in the winter because our digestive fire is stronger, as the cooler weather constricts the surface of the body, pushing the heat back to our core. A small bowl of warm oat, cornmeal (polenta), barley or rice porridge will set you up for a bracing day. Add cinnamon, cloves and honey. Lunch and supper should be wholesome meals, avoiding too many cold, wet and damp foods that are excessively sweet or taken straight from the fridge. Barley is one of the best grains for kapha, as its drying quality gently clears fluids from the body and can refresh a sluggish digestion; it is also good for nourishing vata. Drink spicy teas throughout the day to stoke your inner fire.
· Take a teaspoon of chywanaprash in the morning to keep your energy and immunity intact at this time of change. If you are easily disturbed by the cold, wet and heavy qualities of winter then you may benefit from taking trikatu as it will blow away any colds, coughs, poor circulation and nasal drips.
· Settle in for a relaxing evening. Ayurveda suggests that an occasional glass of warming wine may be beneficial in the winter to encourage circulation and stimulate digestion. Before bed, make a delicious glass of hot spicy milk: nutmeg is calming and promotes sound sleep.
About the Author
Sebastian Pole is a trained practitioner in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Herbalism (Ayur prac, Lic OHM, MAPA, MRCHM, MURHP), and runs an Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal clinic in Bath. He is Chairman of the Ayurvedic Practitioner Association Pharmacopoeia Committee. A qualified Yoga teacher and therapist, he has a degree in Hindi and Indian Religion from The School of Oriental and African Studies.
In 2001, Sebastian co-founded Pukka Herbs, a company who grow organic Ayurvedic herbs on over 1,000 acres of land in India. Pukka Herbs is now the UK’s leading Ayurvedic company, selling a range of award-winning organic teas, herbal remedies and massage oils throughout Europe.
Sebastian’s first book, Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice, was published in July 2006.
