Thursday, October 6 – Sunday, October 16
I don’t do cleanses. And yet, my body—the miraculous thing that it is—is always cleansing all on its own, through the natural processes of detoxification and digestion it’s been designed to do to stay alive. In Ayurveda, facilitating the process of cleansing ideally happens on a daily basis, through mindful eating and daily sense-care, which leaves us feeling energized, rested, and enthusiastic for life. But given the many ways our world and lives many not be ideal, sometimes we need a little help when the undigested parts of life start to accumulate.
The juncture of the seasons, called rtu sandhi in Sanskrit, is an excellent time to take stock of our health and give our natural detoxification processes some extra attention. We do this in a way that may seem different from modern “cleanses,” which encourage restriction, guilt, and deprivation; rather, we give our bodies the space and rest they need to hear their inner wisdom, and resume the work of digesting they were born knowing how to do. With the help of simple but deeply nourishing foods and rituals, we can protect ourselves from stressors while simultaneously building up our immunity.
It is during periods of change, especially abrupt change like a shift in weather/season, that we are most vulnerable to disease entering in from the outside. But when we shore up our inner reserves of vitality, or ojas, we can feel more prepared to handle the transition of any season—in the climate or in our individual lives.
The Summer-to-Fall Transition
This season, our seasonal program is going deep into the concept of “rest,” specifically through an emphasis on restorative yoga and asana. Since this past summer brought with it a resuming of social activities and intense heat, we might have accumulated even more pitta than usual—which, when provoked by volatile vata, might feel a bit like a firestorm in our bodies and emotions. The earth element is the perfect companion to both pitta and vata, as its grounding, stable qualities help prevent these two subtle, quick doshas from getting out of control.
There’s a lot to be said about the power of food to encourage stability in the body; inherently kaphic in nature, and full of earth and water, food is what literally becomes the ojas, or immunity, that’s needed to balance instability of any kind (when it’s digested well, of course). But if we don’t get the digestion part of the equation in place, then even kitchari can contribute to imbalance. Hence the emphasis on lifestyle this year, which will provide the foundation of “rest and digest” in our nervous system to allow the natural cleansing of dosha to happen all on its own, the way the body knows how.
For 10 days, you’ll be supported by me and fellow middle-pathers in a gradual downshift of our physical, mental, and emotional energy that aligns with the natural cycles we’re a part of. By embracing this period of release, elimination, and a return to our origins—the earth—we not only gain a greater appreciation for all of the creativity and productivity of the past year, but also make space (with the help of vata) for new energy to fill the beautiful container of our lives.
Together, we will go through the three stages of a classical Ayurvedic reset, modified to do safely at home, and share our experiences and reflections around letting go of what no longer serves us and returning to a place in our bodies that feels like home.
What You Get:
- 3 live zoom sessions (recordings will be provided)
- Original recipes, ingredient lists, and curated resources for food items and products to be used throughout the season
- 15% discount on kitchari kits from Divya’s Kitchen
- Private online forum with daily prompts for reflection, savasana practice, poetry, and conversation within the group
- Option to add a one-on-one health consultation with Jennifer to personalize your reset experience
A Seasonal Reset is Right for You If You Feel:
- Imbalances and sensitivities in your digestion, appetite, and/or elimination
- Irregular or insufficient sleep
- Swings, dips, or spikes in mood and energy throughout the day
- Seasonal allergies
- Seasonal depression or anxiety
- Hormonal imbalances
- Pain, aches, or stiffness in the muscles and joints
- Loneliness and longing for connection
- Difficulty concentrating, keeping to a schedule, or completing tasks
- Lack of inspiration or confidence in cooking and meal prep
Schedule:
Day 1: Orientation
Thursday, October 6
Live zoom call 7-8 PM EST
Welcome, introductions, intentions, program review, and guided savasana
Days 1-3: Preparation
Thursday, October 6 – Saturday, October 8
Self-paced reduction of dietary and lifestyle stimulants to ready your body for rest
Day 3: Clear the Channels
Sunday, October 9
Live online yoga class, time TK
Gentle yoga with pranayama, meditation, and reflection
Days 4-8: Deep Nourishment
Sunday, October 9 – Friday, October 14
Simplified diet of congee, soups, and kitchari for 6 days (recommended)
Grounding sense-care rituals
Days 9-10: Integration
Saturday, October 15 – Sunday, October 16
Gradually incorporating more foods and activities based on your newfound knowledge and experience of balance
Day 11: Transition
Monday, October 17
Live zoom call, 7-8 PM EST
Closing our reset journey in community, reflections and sharing, tips on returning to “normal” with integrity
Cost
Rest & Reset program: $250
Rest & Reset program + one-on-one consultation: $350
Early bird save 15% with code SAVASANA through September 27
Life is hard, so email jennifer@jenniferkurdyla.com to discuss payment options; no questions asked and no one will be turned away.
Got questions? Email me to determine if the reset is right for you!
