Pitta Season: Summer. Hot, especially hot & humid climates.

Summer is a time for expansion and celebration, it is light and bright.  It is a time to honor ourselves and the sun by rising early, and bring balance by swimming in cool water or resting in the shade during the heat of the day.  Getting outside to enjoy the early morning before the heat sets in is important this time of year, especially for more heat sensitive individuals.  Though we have less humidity (water) in the desert regions than other parts of the country, we do experience a significant amount of heat (fire) most of the year, and especially in summer.  During monsoon times it can be quite humid in the desert, which is more difficult to escape, as compared with the drier hot days.  In areas where there is more moisture in the air all of the time, it can be quite extreme in the summer months with the addition of excess heat from the sun. In the south western united states, beings tend to be less active outdoors during the summer because it is so hot.  So in areas like this, summer is also a time for rest.  We need to take advantage of the early morning for outdoor work, rest in the middle of the day, and utilize the cooler evening after the sunsets to resume outdoor work. In areas like the northeastern united states, where summer is so short compared to the long, dark winter, getting outside as much as possible is often good medicine.  However it is still quite hot and humid in the middle of the day, so being mindful to take rest in the shade remains important.  

Qualities: hot, light, sharp, penetrating, oily

Digestion: The digestive fire is naturally low and disperses to help keep us cool when the weather is hot, so you may find that your appetite decreases in summer.  It is wise to really listen and not over eat during this time of the year.  

Diet: Favor cool food and drinks, but not ice cold unless it is really hot out and you are overheating. It is never ideal to drink cold beverages alongside meals. Enjoy the cooling foods that nature provides like cucumbers, cilantro, melon, crisp greens, aloe vera. Though it is not grown locally for many of us, responsibly harvested coconut water can be a helpful cooling medicine during the heat of summer.

Avoid hot and spicy foods in excess like ginger, hot peppers, black pepper, and cayenne. Decrease the amount of ferments and vinegars you eat, including alcohol. Have less hot beverages, especially in the middle of the day.

Fall is a time for transition and preparation for winter.  It is a time when routine will serve us well.   Desert regions, though less cold than northern mountain regions, have unpredictable weather patterns with extreme temperature changes between day and night.  Settling into routine during the fall will help us to be more balanced as we move into winter.  

Vāta doṣa is also increased at any time of change or junction point.  So as we move from one season to the next, especially in the junctions before one season has fully come to a close and the other has fully set-in, the qualities of vāta doṣa are heightened.  

Qualities:  dry, rough, cold, mobile

Digestion:  Naturally increases in the winter to help keep the body warm, so you may find the need for more food. Listening to your increased appetite during this time will help to balance vāta doṣa.

Diet: Favor warm, cooked, and heavier foods. Enjoy warm drinks, protein, oil, root vegetables, and stimulating spices.

Avoid dry, raw, and cold foods and drinks, and drinks with ice. Minimize your intake of dairy, especially cold dairy such as ice cream or yogurt from the refrigerator.

Kapha Season: Late winter & spring. Cool & wet climates.

Winter is the perfect time for rest and reflection.  It is a time for hibernation, a time to go inward.  As the days and nights begin to get warmer, spring is a time for growth and renewal.  We can take our reflections from the winter and get inspired for change and re-birth. With all of the spring growth, allergies tend to flare and people experience more sinus congestion.

Winter in the south western united states tends to be a time when people are more active outside than during the heat of summer.  We experience less heavy, moist kapha energy in the desert in general, but it is still present in later winter and spring.  The rainy, cold days in winter and early spring, though infrequent in the desert, are daily norms in the northern mountains, and are examples of kapha doṣa. Think mud season. Kapha season also brings the excitement of plant and animal growth/birth as tiny, bright green buds begin to unfurl and baby animals begin to wander out into the world. 

Qualities: cold, heavy, slow, slimy

Digestion: If you “listen”, you will notice that as we move from winter into spring, your digestive fire may decrease slightly.   You may crave lighter foods to cleanse the system from the accumulation of eating heavier foods over the winter months. Spring is a great time for a cleanse to prepare the body-mind-spirit for a new season.

Diet: Favor a diet that is lighter, drier, and less oily than during other seasons. Continue to enjoy warm food and drink, while also incorporating the early spring produce of your local area, such as spring greens. Drinking warm water with raw, local honey in the morning is great for mitigating spring allergies and helps to scrape away accumulated toxins (āma) from the system. Avoid heavy dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and ice cream (mucous producing foods). Reduce heavy proteins and oils.

Routine:

• Adjust your sleep schedule slightly and get moving a little bit earlier in the morning.

• Use a little less oil for your self massage as the spring days move into summer.

• If feeling heavy or sluggish, alternate between dry brushing or massage with raw silk gloves (gharṣaṇa). Gharṣaṇa is great for promoting lymphatic flow, moving out built-up toxins (āma), and exfoliation of the skin.

• Oleate your nasal passages (nasya) for prevention of allergies.

• Use stimulating essential oils like tulsi, orange, eucalyptus, and frankincense.

Exercise:

• Spring is a great time to get moving, especially in the morning.

• Running, biking, spring skiing, and speed walking are all good spring time exercises to get the system moving.

• Time for more movement and motivation in your yoga practice, while still practicing in a warm space. Heart and chest openers are great to improve circulation such as boat, bow, and cobra.

• More vigorous breathing exercises (prāṇāyāma), such as breath of joy or bellows breath.