By Thamer Bhavani Azule-Wright
According to the ancient science of Ayurveda, the summer season is considered Pitta time! For those living in warmer climates not experiencing all the seasonal changes, it seems that summer arrives earlier. With this said, in order to maintain our healthy balance, we need to make some quick dietary and yoga practice changes, hopefully right after your big Spring cleanse.
Summertime means we have longer daylight hours and tend to do more outdoor activities such as swimming, bicycling and outdoor dining. Need I say, “hydrate”? However, there is no need for iced water or drinks, as this will douse your Agni [gastric fire] which is necessary to process our food. Cooling foods both energetically and in temperature such as fresh salads with refreshing herbs will aid in keeping Pitta balanced. Use cilantro, coriander and fennel. Foods that are sweet, bitter and astringent like cucumbers, sweet fruits and melon [eaten alone] are always good choices. Wheat, rice, barley, and oats are the best grains to reduce heat as well. When doing Abhyanga, use olive or coconut oil to keep you cool.
Besides being aware of seasonal changes, always keep in mind your Prakriti [primary dosha]. It’s also a good idea to every once in a while, take a Vikruti test as we can experience changes on a daily basis. The earliest we can detect an imbalance, the quicker we can bring it back! I suggest Banyan Botanicals Vikruti test: http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/vikriti.html
Your yoga practice must also be considered when making seasonal changes. Do you practice outdoors or indoors? At what time do you practice and what asanas are you including in your routine? Sometimes we don’t even think of these subtle influences. Pitta hours are from 10-2 am or pm. In the morning, we would want to incorporate less heating poses, just like in the evening hours we would not want to do heating poses just before we retire. The hours between 6-10 are associated with Kapha, that slow time of morning or evening. It is here that we want to practice a more enlivened sequence and from 2-6 am or pm, Vata reigns, which means more calming and grounding asanas, perhaps meditation and restorative yoga.
Also be aware that heated emotions can also disturb our healthy balance. If you walk into a situation that is irritating, run off to your nearest park, lake, garden or anywhere you can sit and commune with Mother Nature and “cool off”. Keeping a handy photograph or poster at work where you can mentally retreat to with a glass of water or cooling herbal tea comes in handy when you just can’t get away!
Know your dosha, keep your Vikruti in check and enjoy your summer!
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