Living Ayurveda: Winter Wellness for Vata Season
Ayurveda - literally translated as “the science of life” - is a traditional, holistic system of medicine originating from India.
Ayurveda views the body through the lens of the five elements: air, earth, fire, water, and ether/space. These elements combine to form the three vital doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each person has a unique combination of these doshas, and when the doshas fall out of balance, it can affect digestion, sleep, mood, and overall well-being. Ayurveda’s aim is to help you identify these imbalances and gently restore harmony, so that your body and mind function at their best.
Winter is Vata Season
In Ayurveda, winter is considered Vata season. Vata is governed by the cold and dry qualities of the air and ether elements.
During this time, it’s common to experience imbalances like dry skin and hair, constipation, insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety. The best way to support yourself in this season is to cultivate warmth, grounding, and nourishment for both body and mind.
Warm hydration: Sip warm water or herbal teas throughout the day instead of ice water. Warm fluids help keep digestion strong and balance Vata’s naturally cold quality.
Restful routines: Prioritize sleep and create calming evening rituals. Turn off screens earlier, dim the lights, and give yourself permission to go to bed sooner. Extra rest is a wonderful way to replenish energy.
Mindful consumption: Limit caffeine and sugar, particularly later in the day, as these can aggravate Vata and interfere with sleep. Focus on grounding, nourishing foods instead.
Vata Season Dinacharya (Daily Routine) Practices
Abhyanga – Full Body Oil Massage
One of the most powerful practices in Vata season is Abhyanga, or self-massage with warm oil. While this is beneficial year-round, it is especially grounding in the colder, drier months. In Sanskrit, sneha means both “love” and “oil” - and this practice is a literal way to give yourself both.
Choosing oils: Sesame or almond oil make excellent bases. Add essential oils that feel warm, sweet, or grounding, such as cinnamon, cardamom, rose, vanilla, or vetiver.
How to practice: Warm your oil gently (I like to use a crockpot), lay a towel on the floor in a warmed bathroom, and massage your body using long strokes along your limbs and circular motions around your joints, always working toward your heart. Take your time. Focus on gratitude for your body, and allow yourself to sink into the rhythm of the practice. Follow with a warm bath or shower to remove excess oil and leave your skin nourished and soft.
Movement and Fresh Air
Even in winter, it’s important to stay active and connected to the daylight. A walk after a meal is especially beneficial, aiding digestion and providing light energy to counteract Vata’s cold, sluggish tendencies. This is particularly helpful after holiday indulgences or heavier winter meals.
Vata Season Teas
CCF Tea: Cumin, cardamom, and fennel tea is soothing for digestion and helps maintain warmth.
Ginger-Elderberry Tea: Cora’s handcrafted tea (available in the studio’s retail shop) offers a warming, immune-supportive option for cold days.
Vata Season Foods & Eating Tips
Timing: Aim to eat your largest meal between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when digestion is strongest.
Cooking & seasoning: Warm, cooked meals are ideal in winter. Light, cold foods like raw smoothies or salads may feel refreshing but can aggravate Vata by increasing coldness and dryness. Greens are wonderful - just sauté them in ghee or coconut oil for better digestion.
Flavors & simplicity: Use warming spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and cardamom. Keep meals simple, well-spiced, and nourishing to support balance throughout the season.
Not sure of your dosha?
If you’re curious about your unique dosha profile or want personalized guidance, join my upcoming workshop What’s Your Dosha? or schedule a 1:1 consultation with me in the studio (coming soon!). Together, we can explore how Ayurveda can support your health, energy, and balance this winter.
Chelsea DUnk has been practicing yoga for around 20 years all over the world, teturn to herself again and again, each time she steps on the mat. After many years of practice, Chelsea was led to yogas sister science, Ayurveda which helped her tap into an innate knowing within my her body/mind/spirit and and go into the root causes of her health issues to affirm what She already intuitively understood. Chelsea holds a 600 hour certificate in Ayurvedic Health Counseling through the Shakti School of Ayurveda. She will complete massage school certification at Oregon School of Massage and will specialize in Shiatsu massage; a Japanese modality based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.