Ayurveda for Summer Balance
Ayurveda, the art of living daily in harmony with nature, is the mother to all of the world’s healing systems.
Tropic like it's hot! As the solar energy builds significantly at the end of the spring season, fire qualities start to accumulate as we transition into the pitta predominant season of summer with more hot, sharp and bright qualities. A major seasonal change can affect our mind, bodies and spirits into either further balance or imbalance depending on how we respond. How are you feeling with the intense solar heat of summer accumulating for those who live in the northern hemisphere? Are you in seventh heaven, struggling immensely or somewhere in between? Wherever you may fall on this spectrum, this tends to be a reflection of each of our unique constitutions and can vary dramatically from person to person.
I acknowledge with humble gratitude how the profundity of holistic tools support staying at each unique person's level best and love to share this knowledge outwardly with others, too. Ayurveda recognizes that our health is significantly influenced by our unique, individual constitution, as well as external factors such as the changing of the seasons throughout the year. Understanding how to best make decisions in balance with the rhythms of nature through the ideas of Ayurveda can greatly improve our ability to heal, quality of life, productivity, and longevity. So, what do we do to take care of ourselves to get through the summer months with grace, health, and fulfillment?
Pitta is composed of fire and water elements and is responsible for transformation and metabolism in the body. The healing energy of pitta can be balanced with cooling foods, less intense exercise, protection from the heat of the midday sun and softening intense schedules to stay at our level best.
PITTA BALANCING LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUMMER INCLUDE:
* Self-massage (Abhyanga) before taking a shower or bath with a cooling oil such as coconut or sunflower to calm the nervous system and cool the body
* On hot days, resting, a short nap and/or yoga nidra can be restorative
* Cultivate calm inner awareness
* Dress in light, breathable clothing and cooling colors such as blue, green, white and lavender
* Ideally, exercise by breathing through your nose and to 50-70% of your capacity
* Avoid exercising between 10 am - 2 pm, a high pitta time of day
* Favor the essential oils of Lavender, Jasmine, Vetiver and Rose Geranium
* Wash, dry and massage feet with a plain or herbal oil at bedtime
* Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses outdoors to shelter from the sun
Here is a general overview of foods to concentrate on to balance pitta:
Fruits to Favor:
Apples
Avocados
Berries
Cherries
Coconut
Cranberries
Grapes
Limes
Mangoes
Melons
Pears
Pineapples
Plums
Pomegranates
Prunes
Vegetables to Favor:
Artichokes
Asparagus
Beet Greens
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Collard Greens
Cucumbers
Green Beans
Kale
Lettuce
Okra
Potatoes
Watercress
Zucchini
Grains to Favor:
Barley
Rice, Basmati
Wheat
Legumes to Favor:
Adzuki Beans
Black Beans
Garbanzo Beans
Mung Beans
Soy Beans & Products (always fermented)
Split Peas
Oils to Favor:
Coconut Oil
Olive Oil
Sunflower Oil
Spices and Garnishes to Favor:
Basil
Cardamom
Cilantro
Coriander
Dill
Fennel
Lime
Mint
Parsley
Animal Products to Favor (If You Eat Them):
Fish (freshwater)
Poultry (white)
Shrimp
Sweeteners:
Maple Syrup
Unrefined Cane Sugar
Turbinado
Check out our Summer Seasonal Recipes webpage for recipe ideas! Wishing you and your families vibrant health, happiness, and longevity!
-Whitney Erwin, MSc, MEd, LMT, owner of Four Seasons Harmony
