Certain urges musn't be resisted. Belching, flatulating, defecating, urinating, sneezing, thirst, hunger, sleeping, coughing, breathing while exerting, yawning, crying, vomiting, orgasmic reflex. Consequences of forcibly withholding physical urges range from mild to deadly, from blurred vision to tremors, hiccups to headaches, urinary stones to rectal pain, pending what we resist, in what combination, context and frequency. From heart disease to body aches, fainting to abdominal tumors, inflammation to cough, suppressing our body’s natural urges is contraindicated due to these affliction and more, in Ayurveda.
Vata becomes vitiated, disturbed, agitated. Dosha-s become disturbed. Additional symptoms develop and disease process unfolds. While these physical urges must be heeded, they also musn’t be forced when not arising. Hence, balance is necessary, hence awareness is necessary, hence Yoga supports each host’s ability to self-regulate in the midst of life’s fluctuations.
Many modern day urges which arise at this time of year must be resisted, vairagyam-ing whenever possible, to keep us healthy throughout the impending winter season. Getting swept away in hustle, bustle, gluttony and commercialism from Halloween through the New Year is a cultural norm worth leaving behind. With darker, colder days and longer nights on the horizon, now is an opportune time to decide how we'll weather late autumn and early winter.
Shopping, overindulging in all the decadent desserts, staying up late, amping up the social engagements, serial festivities, drinking cold and alcoholic beverages and overriding our natural energy reserves depletes our health. Some of these occasion may be Ok. Many of them all the time for months won't be.
We support you reigning it in by strengthening your practice. From cultivating contentment and appreciation in November Meditation to caring for yourself to fortify you as you care for others in November Yoga for Caregivers, your holiday season will shine with the light of Yoga in your hearts, minds and homes. If you know you start to spiral into the dark energy of the season, it’s also a great time to adjust your practice for winter season.
Practice is the cornerstone of know what to do, what not to do, what to say, what not to say, when where how. Practice increases clarity and a mind capable of deciding what’s in our best interest and following through on that, behaviorally. Yoga shines as a behavioral modification, individualized, honed daily and adapted from season to season.