A few Yoga and Ayurveda guidelines on how to balance the summer season to stay aligned and supported by the cycles of nature.
Are you savouring the sweetness and abundance of the summer season with patience and joy, or are you feeling overwhelmed, irritable, and impatient with all the activities and socialising?
Here are a few of my favourite ways to counteract the intensity of the heat (think of fire element) and summer months in a more mindful, slower, and balanced way. "Balance involves self-awareness. Balance is a personal, ever-evolving and holistic concept". 'Alignment is necessary!
1. Slow the Pace Down
I understand this is a season of doing, events, celebrations, and travels. But we can do all of those things at a slightly slower and relaxed pace. Essentially, it's about stopping the rush. Do less, be more. Pause daily for a few conscious breaths. Things may feel different...
2. Abhyanga
This is a beautiful self-massage of warm oil. Apply it onto your entire body from head to toe, and leave it for 5-20 minutes (the longer the better). Make sure you stay warm and enjoy the time just being YOU. Connect to your senses, take deep nourishing breaths and simply pause. Take a warm bath or shower afterwards and see how you feel.
You can do Abhyanga anytime except straight after your meals. Enjoy the act of calming your nervous system (great before and after taking a flight or long travelling), deep nourishment, self-love and so much more!
In the summer months, you may want to reach for more cooling oils like almond, olive or coconut oil. Experiment and see what you prefer and how you feel.
3. Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation through the lens of Ayurveda
Yoga to reduce pitta dosha and the fire element we emphasize:
· Asanas that cool, expand and relax (to get the energy from the head down into the area of the chest and abdomen - to the organs)
· Pause between postures, time for reflection and stillness during practice
· Unwind tension in abdomen and liver: locust, bow, cobra, boat, twists, forward folds (moderate hold 5-10 breaths)
· Avoid too much heat and energy to the head (headstand, upward facing bow)
· Shoulder stand and legs up the wall are the most cooling inversions. Put your legs up the wall post-travel! Your body will love it.
· Avoid long holds after inhaling, sweating, or overheating. Hot Yoga is a big 'no' for me. If you like, let's have a conversation ;)
· Cooling and soothing Pranayama: sitali, sitkari working with 1:1 ratio of breath -balanced IN and EX and brahamari breathing.
· Meditation: expansion of the heart and mind, peacefulness, cooling and calming mind and attitude.
4. Rehydration Drink
This is a beautiful remedy for your travels! High-speed travel (plane, train, and even long car journeys) dehydrates us.
1 Tbsp. Honey or maple syrup
10 drops of fresh lime
1/4 tsp. mineral salt
Add these ingredients to an empty bottle. If you are travelling by plane, fill up your bottle with warm water after you pass the security check. Sip and enjoy while travelling.
Additional tip: say 'NO' to ice in your drinks (your digestion likes warm or room temperature drinks and foods). Instead, enjoy cooling drinks like coconut water or cooling herbs like mint or spearmint.
5. Stick to your Routine (Dinacharya)
Early to bed, early to rise (...makes you healthy, wealthy and wise). Your body and mind will thank you the next day and when transitioning to the the colder months! The things we do today affect how we feel tomorrow and as we transition to the next season.
Ayurveda recommends being asleep by 10 PM and rising before 6 AM. The reason is the doshic clock! This is a big topic and is often discussed in my workshops and classes. It all has to do with the elements and doshas predominant at that time of the day and night."
Let me know how these tips resonate with you.
If you would like to know more about Ayurvedic lifestyle, diet or help with your current state of health please refer to my 'Ayurveda' page or the 'Private Yoga Tuition' page to see what I have to offer.
Happy Summer Holidays,
Ivana Tara x
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