Namaste, I’m Vaidya Jayarajan Kodikannath, Academy Director of Kerala Ayurveda USA and an Ayurvedic physician with a degree in Ayurvedic Medicine from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala. With years of clinical practice and academic leadership, I’ve witnessed firsthand how ancient wisdom transforms modern lives. In our fast-paced world, we often find ourselves disconnected from nature’s rhythms, leading to imbalance and disease. Integrating Ayurveda into daily life isn’t just beneficial — it’s essential for maintaining harmony between body, mind, and spirit. Through simple, intentional practices aligned with the seasons, we can prevent illness, enhance vitality, and cultivate lasting wellness from within.
Ayurveda for the Winter Months
As we transition into the colder months, Ayurveda teaches us that winter is dominated by Vata dosha—bringing qualities of cold, dry, mobile, and subtle energy. This seasonal shift calls for specific practices to ground, warm, and nourish ourselves while maintaining balance and protecting our immune system. Here are three essential daily Ayurvedic rituals to embrace this winter:
Abhyanga (Self-Massage with Warm Oil)
Winter’s cold, dry air aggravates Vata dosha, leaving our skin parched and our nervous system frazzled. Daily abhyanga — self-massage with warm, herb-infused oil — is perhaps the most nurturing practice you can gift yourself during these months. This ancient ritual not only moisturizes and protects the skin but also calms the mind, improves circulation, and supports the lymphatic system’s natural detoxification process.
I recommend practicing abhyanga each morning before bathing, using our Calming Body Oil (Ksheerabala Thailam). This traditional formula features toasted sesame seed oil, valued for centuries for its natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which penetrates deeply to counteract winter’s drying effects while grounding scattered Vata energy. Its warming quality helps ease deep aches, rehydrate dry skin, and lull the body into a state of rest and restoration.
Warming Foods and Digestive Support
Our digestive fire, or Agni, naturally strengthens during winter as the body’s internal heat increases to counterbalance the external cold. This is an ideal time to support and optimize our digestive capacity. Proper digestion remains the cornerstone of health in Ayurveda, and winter’s robust Agni allows us to metabolize heartier, more nourishing foods such as root vegetables and heavier grains.
To support this natural digestive strength, favor nourishing stews and soups featuring grounding ingredients like sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, and parsnips. These substantial foods provide the stability that Vata craves during the mobile, erratic winter season. Enhance your meals with warming spices like ginger, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper, and turmeric, which kindle Agni while pacifying Vata’s cold, dry qualities. Starting your day with warm spiced water or ginger tea and choosing freshly cooked, warm meals throughout the day ensures your body can properly assimilate nutrients and maintain steady energy levels despite the season’s demands.
Nasya (Nasal Oil Application)
The nasal passages are our gateway to the head, mind, and consciousness. Winter’s dry air and indoor heating create the perfect environment for respiratory vulnerability. Nasya, the practice of applying medicated oil to the nasal passages, creates a protective barrier, lubricates delicate tissues, and supports clear breathing and mental clarity.
Our Nasya Oil (Anu Thailam) is a steroid-free, herbal formula crafted to gently flush and lubricate the nasal passages for healthy respiratory function. Applied each morning, this traditional blend helps relax tension, pressure, and stuffiness while moistening dry, scratchy noses. The tridoshic adaptogens and botanicals work to balance your dosha and open your flow of Prana for greater mental and sensory clarity. This simple two-minute practice during winter months can significantly reduce susceptibility to seasonal colds and congestion.
What I’ll Be Teaching at Sedona Yoga Festival
I’m thrilled to return to Sedona Yoga Festival this year to offer two transformative workshops inspired by this year’s theme, “Unrolling the Scroll.” The first explores Sleep and EMF (Electromagnetic Frequencies). Expect to be guided to examine how electromagnetic exposure from our devices and constant connectivity impacts the mind and subtle body, and consequently, our sleep quality. As we question our relationship with endless scrolling and screen time, understanding this connection becomes essential for protecting our well-being and cultivating restorative rest.
The second session focuses on Self-Care Practices for Optimal Health, where we’ll explore the daily practices (Dinacharya) passed down through ancient Ayurvedic texts — literally unrolling the wisdom of the scrolls. I’ll share key rituals including abhyanga and other oil-based therapies, along with practical guidance on how to integrate these time-tested practices into your modern lifestyle. Whether you’re new to Ayurveda or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll leave both sessions with practical tools and personalized protocols you can begin applying immediately.
Sedona’s unique energy and the Festival’s inclusive, consciousness-focused community create the perfect environment for exploring these teachings. The commitment to holistic wellness and the integration of ancient wisdom with modern life aligns beautifully with Kerala Ayurveda’s mission. I’m honored to return and share these practices with fellow seekers who understand that true health encompasses body, mind, and spirit. I look forward to connecting with you in this sacred space.
But If You Can’t Wait—Join Us for a Virtual Event in February!
For those who want to begin their Ayurvedic journey sooner, I’m hosting a virtual webinar on February 18, 2026 5pm-6pm Pacific exploring “Ayurveda & Yoga: A Unified Path to Balance and Vitality.” In this one hour online gathering, we’ll discover how these sister sciences work together to create holistic wellness, from understanding the gunas of the mind, and the doshas of the body, to align your Yoga practice with your unique constitution, and cultivate the vital energies of Agni, Prana, and Ojas.
This intimate virtual format offers a wonderful opportunity to explore foundational Ayurvedic principles before we gather in Sedona to dive into more specific practices like sleep optimization and daily self-care rituals. I hope you’ll join me so we can begin this journey together. Whether you’re a Yoga practitioner curious about Ayurveda or seeking to deepen your existing practice, you’ll leave with practical tools to integrate both disciplines into your daily life. Registration opens soon. Let’s make this winter your healthiest season yet!
