Yoga with the Seasons

The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is Dosha Balance. The three doshas - Vata , Kapha, Pitta - One’s ‘nature’ or ‘fundamental property’ are the forces that create the physical body and also affect mental state and emotions. Quantity and quality of these three substances fluctuate in the body according to the seasons, time of day, diet, physical or mental stress and several other factors.

Yoga practice should be adapted by understanding ones doshas

Seasons also have their own qualities which cast them into the molds of these doshas. There is some overlap of doshas as nature transitions from one form into another but the body gradually responds to the difference as it happens, and if you are attuned to nature then your body and mind will be even more sensitive to it.

Remember the below key words associated with each season and dosha and you will be able to get an idea about what your body state is at the current moment and how to start with some balancing actions.

From late fall into early winter is Vata season, and its qualities/highlights include:

–Dry, light, airy, rough, subtle, mobile

–Anxiety, stress, worry, insomnia

–Creativity, spirituality, enthusiasm, bone and joint health

From the coldest part of winter into spring is Kapha season, and its qualities/highlights include:

–Heavy, slow, cold, soft, oily, smooth, dull, dense

–Greed, envy, attachment, lethargy

–Love, compassion, patience, strength and immune response

From late spring into early fall is the Pitta season, and its qualities/highlights include:

–Hot, fast, intense, slightly oily, sharp, light

–Anger, hate, jealousy, workaholism

–Ambition, intelligence, motivation, good digestion

Here is a quick guide on how to adapt ones diet and practice according to the seasons

Vata (Autumn-Winter)

• Eat more: stews, hearty soups, warm milk with ghee and honey

• Avoid: raw, cold foods, salads, hyperactivity, late nights, direct exposure to wind

• Practice more: grounding asanas, backbends, bhastrika, kapalabhati, warm sesame oil massage, agnisaara

Kapha (Winter-Spring)

• Eat more: lighter, drier, sour and warming food, honey-ginger tea

• Avoid: overindulging in food and rest, oily and fatty food

• Practice more: energizing asanas, surya namaskars, twists, bhastrika, kapalabhati, nasya oil and neti pot cleansing, basti

Pitta (Summer-Autumn)

• Eat more of: cucumber, mint, coconut water, sweet naturally cooling teas

• Avoid: over-exertion, peak heat of the day, hot yoga, pungent or sour foods, alcohol and caffeine

• Practice more: light restorative asanas, sheetali pranayam, coconut oil massage, panchakarma

Try to change your habits and diet with nature and post your experience what effect it had on your health, mood and attitude...