Returning to Nature’s Rhythm: An Introduction to Ayurveda for Seasonal Living
- Guest contributor
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Guest blog by Isabel Greed MCMA
If you’re reading a TreeSisters blog, I probably don’t need to tell you how deeply Nature supports our wellbeing, or how living in alignment feels almost in our bones. Many of us feel a quiet pull to move more closely with the seasons. That instinct is ancient, and profoundly wise.
Ayurveda teaches that we are made of the same elements as the trees, the soil, the sky. Because of this, aligning with the seasons isn’t just beautiful, it’s essential for our health. As I write this, I’m watching the leaves in my garden fall and begin their slow return to the earth. Their gentle composting feels like an invitation to release what I no longer need and make space for the next cycle. This is the heart of seasonal living.
Ayurveda, often described as the sister science to yoga, is a 5,000 year old lifestyle system centred on balance. When we live in alignment with Nature, digestion improves, hormones steady, immunity strengthens, and we simply feel more ourselves. As we head toward midwinter, and the busy holiday season energy that often surrounds it, these principles become more important than ever.
When I first began exploring Ayurveda, I was surprised to discover the many cycles that exist within us. If you already live in tune with the seasons, you might be curious to learn more about these inner rhythms as well:
The circadian cycle
The rhythm of our day affecting our energy levels and most noticeably sleep and wake times. Sleeping around 10-11pm and waking around 6–7am supports the natural rise and fall of cortisol and melatonin. It is also very helpful to skip the snooze button and get some daylight within the first 60 minutes of waking up.
Digestive cycles
Eating at regular times (roughly 7-8am, 12.00-2pm, 5-7pm) works with the body’s Agni (digestive fire) rather than against it, this is such an important step in optimising your health because undigested food can build up creating Ama (toxins) which can initially leave you feeling sluggish and fuzzy. Your biggest digestive ‘peak’ is in the middle of the day.
Menstrual and lunar cycles
For those with a womb, monthly inner seasons offer a powerful guide - in brief, the week of your bleed is akin to your Winter, a time to rest and reflect, Spring is the following week, the follicular phase where energy starts to rise, Summer follows, this is the ovulation week where energy can be high and you’re naturally more sociable, Autumn is the luteal phase, the time of truth telling and release. For those without a bleed, the moon provides a beautiful alternative where the full moon energy aligns with the energy of ovulation and so on.
Ultimately, small shifts make a big difference.
At this time of year choose seasonal foods if you can and aim for more warming and spiced foods rather than cold. Things like warming dahl and cinnamon porridge are wonderful to keep you grounded and nourished . Allow yourself to rest more and introduce grounding practices like meditation, journaling and self massage with warm oil (abhyanga) . Honour your inner cycles rather than pushing through them. These simple practices help us reconnect with the earth and with ourselves.
With love, Isabel x
Author Bio: Isabel is an Ayurvedic practitioner specialising in therapeutic yoga for women’s health. She helps women reconnect with their cycles, the seasons, and Nature’s rhythms. Previously, she was Fundraising Manager at TreeSisters (and we miss her very much but love to see her thrive).
You can find out more about Isabel's work and contact her directly at:
