Pitta time: Ayurveda for a radiant summer

With the days getting warmer and longer, the pitta time of the year is dawning in the Netherlands. And yes, you read correctly, pitta, not pita. Indeed, this season’s designation has little to do with falafel, but everything to do with Ayurveda.

What is Ayurveda 

Ayurveda is a philosophy closely related to yoga and for this reason is often called ‘the sister of yoga’. This sister originated around the same time and in the same country and has the same ‘goal’, namely unification of breath, body and consciousness. That unification, according to Ayurveda, is achieved by tuning into nature and making choices that help you get through the year relaxed and content. Visit this website to learn more about Ayurveda.

The 5 Ayurvedic elements

According to Ayurveda, there are five different elements that govern everything in life. These elements are earth, water, fire, air and space. Everything and everyone has all these elements in them, just in different proportions. To make the relationship of the elements easier to represent, within Ayurveda the elements are combined into three different constitution types, or doshas.

Summer: the pitta time of year

The dosha: Pitta consists mainly of the fire element. As you can imagine, this dosha is the hottest of the three different constitution types and thus summer is logically the pitta time of year. So if you want to get through summer relaxed, content and cool, tuning into pitta is the way to go.

The Pitta element: Fire

If we observe fire, we can notice that it often takes the shape of a triangle: it has a broad base and tapers to a point. This triangular form signifies direction and clarity. Fire is also associated with heat and transformation. When given sufficient time and space, fire can bring about significant changes in whatever it interacts with. Fire has an all-consuming nature; give it a twig, and it will seek to engulf the entire tree.

Pittas’ properties

The characteristics of fire can be observed in individuals who have a predominant pitta dosha. They seek direction in their lives and enjoy sharing this sense of purpose with others. Pittas are natural-born leaders, although at times they can become overly assertive. They are passionate individuals who can engage in lengthy conversations about their latest interests. Speaking of communication, pittas thrive when the topics discussed align with their interests; otherwise, they may lose interest quickly. Irritation and anger are common fiery traits among pittas, as is the belief that their way is the only right way. Therefore, pittas may not hesitate to unfold and refold a stack of towels, believing that their method is clearly superior to their partner’s.

Complaints in summer?

Pitta-related complaints such as burning eyes, diarrhoea, heartburn, pimples and headaches are more common among those who organise and lead yoga retreats, for example. If you have ever done this, you will have noticed that leading such a retreat is not only incredibly fun, but it also means that you are ‘on’ 24/7 and this causes you to feel ‘wired but tired’ most of the time afterwards. For the person who does not teach yoga but has the desire to complete ‘everything’ before the holiday season starts, pitta will shoot up just as much. Even when you are not leading or trying to finish your to-do list, pitta will increase in summer, influenced by the weather

 

Ayurvedic self-care practice for pitta

To maintain balance during this period, it is essential to prioritize proper care for your pitta dosha through Ayurvedic self-care practices. These practices aim to help you cool down and unwind. It is important to avoid consuming or engaging in activities that generate excessive heat since your body already has an abundance of the fire element at this time.

Given that pittas can have a tendency to be overly self-critical, it becomes even more crucial to tailor your Ayurvedic self-care practice to suit your individual needs. Practice self-compassion and approach your self-care routine with gentleness. Trust your instincts and do what feels right for you; that is sufficient.

The steps for a Pitta Ayurvedic self-care practice

1. Have more fun! An increase in Pitta can make you more serious and driven, causing you to forget to enjoy life. Engaging in activities without a specific purpose or goal can help the focused Pitta approach life (and themselves!) with a lighter heart. If gaming feels like too much of a stretch for you, try reading a funny book more often, painting, swimming, or – a real challenge for Pitta – simply doing nothing at all.
2. Massage yourself with coconut or rose oil. Both types of oil have a cooling and calming effect. So ideal for balancing overheated pittas.
3. Ensure that your yoga practice is soothing and cooling. Incorporate practices such as the Moon Salutation, Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Sitali Pranayama (cooling breath), and Child’s Pose. These poses and breathing exercises are particularly beneficial during this time to help pacify and cool Pitta.
4. Ensure that your yoga practice is soothing and cooling. Incorporate practices such as the Moon Salutation, Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Sitali Pranayama (cooling breath), and Child’s Pose. These poses and breathing exercises are particularly beneficial during this time to help pacify and cool Pitta.
5. Wear mainly light blue or light green clothes. This helps keep your inner fire from flaring up too high.
6. Adjust your diet. It is helpful not to eat very hot, spicy, oil-rich or salty foods in summer, but rather more cool, dry, slightly heavy foods. So leave the coffee, chips and red peppers for a while and shift your focus to apples, cherries, grapes, mangoes, broccoli, cucumbers, watermelon, lettuce, broccoli, cereals, pulses, cardamom, turmeric, coriander, dill, mint and saffron. Choose bitter and sweet fruits and vegetables rather than sour and astringent flavours. And choose coconut ice cream instead of chocolate now.
7. Mosquito bumps are unfortunately also part of summer. To reduce itching, juice fresh coriander. Drink the juice and smear the remaining pulp on the mosquito bumps.
8. Prevention is better than cure, but should you have red skin left over from your time in the sun, rub your skin with fresh aloe vera juice. Can’t find fresh aloe vera? Putting cucumber peels on your skin also works, as does applying strong and cold black tea with a flannel.
9. Ensure that you prioritize your thinking and engage in most heating activities before 11 am. It is also advisable to have your breakfast and lunch before this time, as it aligns with the optimal functioning of your digestive fire.
10. Do you want to go the extra mile? Then collect dewdrops from white and blue lotus flowers under a full summer moon, just like yogis and yoginis did thousands of years ago. Place a drop of this dew on your tongue, and it will instantly cool your body and mind. If this isn’t practical for you, no worries! Coconut water also has a cooling effect.