Oct 13 - Oct 15, 2023
A Better Back
Exercises, movement, and everyday alignment to care for the spine.
View a listing of all our programs, workshops, and events—including our best-selling Happiness Retreat, Silent Meditation Retreat, and Ayurveda Wellness Cleanses.
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The ancient science of Ayurveda gives us all the tools we need to live a holistic, healthy, and happy life in today’s modern world.
Guest teachers, thought leaders, authors, and experts inspire with their timely wisdom and transformative programming.
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Discover an extraordinary space for transformation and community building in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Explore our campus in an interactive 360° virtual tour with guided navigation or on Google Maps.
Last year at this time, many of us were excited about the upcoming holidays—corn mazes, get-togethers, and pumpkin lattes! This fall, we are still in the midst of a pandemic and quarantine fatigue may have set in. The economy is re-opening slowly; we are grappling with concerns around safety, a second wave, economic security, jobs, politics, schools, and more. To add to that, Fall is also flu and allergy season which compounds our worry. The 5,000-year-old science of Ayurveda gives us the steps we need to take to stay healthy, safe, and sated this season.
In Ayurveda, we take our cues from nature. Autumn is a time of transition, a time to leave behind the heat and productivity of summer, slow down, fall back and “learn from the falling leaves how to let go.” As per the Ayurvedic seasonal regimen, or Ritucharya, fall and early winter are vata season (the energy principle of air and ether). Vata is dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, and mobile, and an imbalance in this dosha (energy principle) can lead to similar qualities in the individual. The two simple concepts in restoring balance are like increases like and opposites balance each other. For instance, the dry quality of vata can be balanced by internal and external oleation, hydrating enough, and unctuous food like soups and massages. A rejuvenating cleanse is highly recommended to enhance our immunity in Fall.
Ritucharya is a prime principal of preventive management in Ayurveda (Swasthyashya Swasthya Rakshanam—preserving the health of the healthy) and preventing susceptibility to seasonal ailments like colds and allergies, but be mindful of personalized imbalances (Vikratis). For instance, for disease management (or ‘Aturashya Vikara Prashmanancha’) of say, Kaphaja Prameha, (a kapha-vitiated metabolic condition or Diabetes Insipidus; Ayurvedic classifies 20 types of Prameha) attend primarily to the imbalance, with awareness of the impact of seasonal changes.
The symptoms of a vata imbalance are
1. Dietary Suggestions—Warm, Unctuous Soups and Stews
Recipes
More delicious recipes from our faculty: Roasted Acorn Squash, Vegetable Pot Pie and Butternut Squash Soup.
2. Sleep and Lifestyle Tips—Stick to a Routine and Incorporate Daily Self-Massage
3. Tips on Yoga, Exercise, Breathwork and Meditation—Slow and Grounding Yoga and Nature Walks
4. Fall is the ideal time to Cleanse and Rejuvenate
5. Other Immunity-Boosting Tips—Jal Neti, Nasya, and the Immunity Kit
6. Fall Rituals and Safety!
Mental Health Epidemic
Let’s acknowledge the parallel epidemic that is raging along with Covid-19; the mental health issues which the world at large faces. More than 1/3 of Americans have displayed clinical signs of anxiety, depression, or both, since the pandemic started. Ayurveda is holistic and honors the mind-body connection. Fear, grief, worries, and anxiety trigger predominantly vata (and other doshas as well). Do follow a preventative protocol to increase Sattva (the Guna or principle of truth or clarity) and restore balance but don’t hesitate to seek professional help if required.
Continue to follow guidelines on social distancing, wearing masks, hygiene practices, and stay safe and seek medical help if you feel unwell. To quote musician and author Chad Sugg, “Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.” As we amble into fall, hang in there and stay hopeful—we will weather this together!
Disclaimer: This content on the Art of Living Retreat Center blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Any links to third-party websites are provided as a convenience only and the Art of Living Retreat Center is not responsible for their content.
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Our peak season runs April–November, so space fills up quickly during that time.