January Wellness Map

Focus

In the Northern Hemisphere, January is generally cold, on the cusp between the dry Autumn of Vata and the wet Spring of Kapha. Here in Colorado we still have a considerable amount of wind to boot, making it more on the dry side. Translation: let’s not go outside so much. We end up with dryness outside and in due to indoor circulated air heating, so be sure to incorporate some additional moisture into your body care routine, such as Abhyanga (here is a great article and instruction on the topic from one of my favorite resources, Banyan Botanicals), and sipping warm water with lemon throughout the day.

Nourish

While you should be including all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent) in your meals, early winter is a time to focus on the sweet, sour and salty tastes in order to provide some warmth and grounding.

Here are some recipes to do just that:

If you are feeling like your body is in a bit of a funk post holidays, a simple one -day reset may be called for. This easy plan from one of my favorites, Jasmine Hemsley, is listed as three days but could easily just be done for one to reset the digestion. It includes a tasty breakfast of fruit stewed with warming spices, a lunch of nourishing yet easy to digest kitchari, and golden milk for dinner; sipping a detox tea throughout the day is a wonderful boost to the digestive fire, or agni. Another great add to a one day reset, especially if you are feeling run down and immune suppressed, is my teacher Laura Plumb’s Immunity Broth. Most importantly, steering clear of alcohol, caffeine, sugar, meat, dairy and wheat for the day will give your digestion a chance to rest and recharge.

Practice

Happy New Year! Are you sick of the whole “New Year, New You” trope? If you are, I feel you. I mean, you’re already amazing! But maybe you just don’t feel your best. For our first monthly Sadhana, or practice, let’s get to know ourselves a little better. Here is a daily habit tracker for you to use to that end. Please keep in mind here that the goal is to observe without judgement. Throughout the year, I’ll talk about taking that data and making small changes to create meaningful differences that will make you feel better. One of the most beautiful things about Ayurveda is the self-study; it truly brings you closer to yourself and heightens your self-awarness.

Move

I know. It’s cold. While this is the season to hibernate, we need to keep in mind that movement is essential to keep our joints lubricated and our digestion strong. Here is short and gentle grounding and warming practice to get you moving while connecting with the earth, even if it’s on a corner of your living room floor (or an office in my case).

Important note: The information provided is general guidance in accordance with Ayurvedic seasonal living. Every human is different; yoga and Ayurveda treat the individual and work best when tailored to your unique constitution. Contact me to learn more.