Pitta season Summer

The long wait for sunny days at the beach and cool summer nights is over!! The summer is here, also known as Pitta season. It’s important, especially for those of Pitta dosha, to keep cool and well hydrated. Wearing cotton, linen, and silks allows skin to breathe better. The best colors to wear in the summer are white, grey, blue, purple, and green. Avoid wearing colors black, red, orange and dark yellow, these attract the sun. Always protect your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses or a brimmed hat. Avoid hot drinks, sticking to room temperature, but not ice cold, this will inhibit digestion in all seasons. Its ok to nap in Pitta season if one gets over- heated or over worked in the sun. If you feel very hot, take a swim in a lake, ocean or pool. Lime water really helps cool the body down, and is very refreshing. If you are accustomed to running and /or exercising outdoors, do so in the early morning before the sun is too strong. It is never recommended to do any strenuous work outdoors. Gardening should also be done in the early morning or late evening after the sun has set. Mild yoga postures such as: Fish, Camel, Boat, Cobra, and Cow are beneficial. Shitali pranayama should be performed daily. Cooling gems such as jade, pearl, amethyst, moonstone, malachite, silver and sandalwood will help cool Pitta. One should avoid a diet that is high in salty, sour, pungent or hot qualities. Abhyanga, self massage should be done with coconut or sunflower oil just before your morning shower. Always eat in season; there are many beautiful fruits and vegetables in abundance this season such as: eggplant, carrots, cucumber, beans, lettuces, strawberries, blueberries, melon, watermelon, raspberries, zucchini, fennel, and many more. An early morning hike to watch the sunrise might be ideal for those wanting to spend time outdoors. While others prefer to stay close to the ocean, either way do your best to keep cool and have fun!!!

As always

Love and light

Daria       

Kapha/Vata season Spring

Spring

The qualities of spring are warm, moist, changing between winter and fall like weather. Energy begins to move up as the snow begins to melt and the flowers begin to bloom. Accumulated Kapha from the winter begins to liquefy, that’s why it runny nose season. People get spring colds, and stomach bugs begin to spread. This season is loved by Vata and Pitta people, while Kapha people struggle to stay healthy. Allergies are prominent during this time of year. This is a great season to do cleansing, panchakarma, or a juice cleanse for a few days to eliminate stagnate energy. If you’ve ever wanted to do an elimination diet, this is the time to do it.  

            Some kitchen herbs that will help this season include; ginger, black pepper, cayenne, chili pepper, coriander, cumin, and fennel. Strictly avoid heavy, oily foods. It’s also better to limit sour, sweet, and salty foods. Stick to bitter, pungent, and astringent foods. Limit dairy intake, especially in the morning. Avoid ice-cream and cold drinks.

A cup of warm water with a teaspoon of honey will balance Kapha dosha. Brisk walks, Sun salutations and Kapha reducing yoga postures, such as; Boat, Bow, Locust, Lion, Camel, and Fish pose are recommended. Bhastrika and Right nostril breathing may also be helpful in reducing Kapha. This is a great time to do some spring cleaning, clearing out the past from your environment and within yourself. It’s a time for planting new seeds and letting those dreams blossom.

Always try to eat locally and in season fruits and vegetables, they include;

 Carrots, turnip, artichoke, asparagus, chard, cauliflower, spinach, bean, peas, leek, potato, radish, cress, sorrel, hazelnut, walnut, apple, lemon, kiwi, orange, grapefruit, pomelo, endive, rocket salad, cherry, rhubarb

As spring advances you will want to change your regime from Kapha pacifying to Pitta pacifying as the weather gets warmer.  

With love and light

Daria

winter

Kapha Season

Tips, and trick to staying healthy in winter

Winter is a time to stay active in order to keep your body warm and energy moving. The qualities of winter are cold, damp, heavy, and slow. Some Vata provoking qualities such as dry, cold, and wind are present during winter. Therefore a Kapha pacifying regimen should be adopted. Both Kapha and Vata individuals would benefit from being extra diligent with their lifestyle during these months.

The good news is there is no need to wake up early in Kapha season-- around 7 am should be just fine. I love doing a self abhyanga, but it’s especially welcomed into my morning routine during the winter. Staying near family and friends, and having a support system during these dark days are crucial. Be cautious with the kidneys and bladder during the winter months, as these two organs are most affected by winter.

Beneficial yoga postures for this season are Fish, Locust, Boat, Bow, Lion, Camel pose, and shoulder and headstands (if it is in your practice). Furhter, any and most twisting poses are wonderful to practice. During this season, more than half your practice should be done standing, especially those who are Kapha or tend to have Kapha imbalances. Breath of fire and right nostril breathing are recommended if you already know this practice.

Try a warming winter tea made with ginger, cinnamon, and clove. Wear warm colored clothing, and always keep your head covered, warm, and dry.

 A day or two of fasting is acceptable if your digestion is strong. Soups made from root vegetables along with ginger, cayenne, and garlic make for a great supper in the winter months. Millet and Buckwheat are wonderful starches for the winter. Add some lentils, adzuki, or mung beans, and you have a great base for a variety of steamed, baked, or sautéed vegetables. Stay away from dairy, and if you must have a piece of cheese, choose soft goat cheese or Feta and be sparing with the serving size. The following fruits and vegetables are considered in season on the east coast:

·         Beetroot, carrot, celeriac, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, squash, endive, yam, turnip, parsnip, sweet potato, leek, potato, Jerusalem artichoke, chicory, chestnut, hazelnut, walnut, pear, apple, lemon, date, mandarin orange, grapefruit, and pomelo

And of course, always try to eat seasonally. Stay Happy and Healthy.

As always, with love and light,

Daria