In Ayurveda summer is the time of dehydration both inside and outside our bodies. Fire and water are the strongest energetic elements at this time of the year where the Pitta dosha is most dominant. The Pitta dosha is the expression of primary energies coming from fire and water. To balance the dominance of these elements , 7mgg it is essential that we follow a summer guide based on the principle of “like increases like.”
Diet
When Pitta dominates because of wrong diet and lifestyle, heat-related ailments occur like excessive body heat, heartburn, hyper-acidity, diarrhea, skin rashes, acne, stomach ulcers, and early graying of hair. Negative emotions also surface such as anger, frustrations, irritability, jealousy, judgment and criticism. Thus, special care is needed to remain cool, calm and maintain the balance.
It is good to eat lighter and smaller meals during summer because this will keep the body cool. The body’s internal heat and the sun’s hot temperature compromises the Agni (central force) and need to be balanced. To cool down, we need sweet, bitter and astringent foods in our diet. These foods would include lettuce, manguerose arugula, basil and radicchio (salad greens), mango, cucumber and coconut water, raw berries, mint teas and natural fruit juices.
Other vegetables, fruits and herbs that cool down the body are apples, cranberry, watermelon, cilantro, okra, zucchini, ghee, leafy greens, kale, pomegranate, dill, fennel, coriander, saffron, coconut oil, olive oil and sunflower oil
It is best to stay away from chili peppers, garlic, dry ginger, black pepper, spicy and fermented foods, sour fruits, heavy protein, mustard oil and coffee.
Light exercises
Light exercises are recommended to prevent imbalance in the Pitta. Examples of light exercises are walking, lunar yoga and restorative yoga, tai chi, swimming and bicycling.
Yoga asanas is recommended to remove excess body heat. Some movements are forward bends, roomidea twists and mild back bends. Be cautious with standing asanas because they build heat in the body instead of cooling it down.
The best time to exercise is early in the morning or at sunset. Avoid exercising between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. which is the hottest time of the day.
Here are some recommended cleansing tips for the summer months:
Do some yoga asanas when you wake up and focus on thoughts of forgiveness and being kind to yourself. This is a cooling down sadhana. After which, spaiceyou can practice shitali pranayama (left nostril breathing) to cool the hotness of pitta dosha. Before you start to meditate be sure that all internal heat within the body is released.
Before taking a shower indulge in a full body massage using pitta massage oil, coconut oil or sunflower oil. Other cooling essential oils are sandalwood, jasmine, lavender, lotus, gardenia, khus, vertivert and rose oils. In Ayurveda, essential oils soothe provoked doshas (bio-energies).