Postures for Winter

Looking at the wisdom of Ayurveda, the season of early winter is a combination of the qualities of Vata and Kapha doshas. Vata represents the wind element , air and ether. Kapha represents the elements of earth and water. Early winter weather is cold and windy while the ground is heavy and damp. In our practice we are looking for ways to combat the heavy & damp qualities of Kapha as well as the cold & windy qualities of Vata.

Our breath is the foundation of our practice and a good starting point to examine how we can find balance in the winter season. We are focusing on creating a smooth rhythmic breath that goes deep into the lungs to help enliven the body and promote a sense of calm, reducing the qualities of Vata. This breath helps to open up the chest and clear out the lungs of heavy damp mucus, reducing the qualities of Kapha.

The postures, asanas, we will incorporate throughout winter are designed to reduce excess Vata and Kapha. Postures that help us find balance in winter will help to open up the chest, drain the sinuses, and stretch the throat.

Here is a short list of postures to look forward to:

Chest opening postures: These postures help us find a lift in the chest, enabling us to drawl in deeper breaths to help clear out the lungs of excess kapha.