The 4th of July is Summer. With the fireworks celebrations, and higher temperatures in most places, we are deep into the Pitta Season. Some like it hot and others are not so fond of the intensity of this time of year. Much of how you respond to the seasons is connected to your dosha.
Your what? Dosha, Pitta Season??? No, these are not new trendy baby names. They are part of the Ayurveda system, a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing, often called the Science of Life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge) that has its origins in the Vedic culture of India.
“Ayurveda offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vital while realizing their full human potential. Providing guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and the proper use of our senses, Ayurveda is a philosophy of health that balances and integrates our environment, body, mind and spirit.”
Sounds complicated? It’s really not. These next few weeks we’ll begin to take some bite size servings to help make it simple.
One of the hallmarks of Ayurveda is its classification of each person as one of three doshas. Take the online test here. The key is to know which dosha, or combination of doshas, you are and then find balance.
There are three doshas, Vata (Wind and movement related), Pitta (Fire and transformation related), and Kapha (Earth and structure related.) Each of us has a unique proportion of these three forces that shapes our nature.
If Vata is your dosha, you’re probably thin, light, enthusiastic, energetic and you enjoy change. If Pitta predominates you are intense, intelligent and goal-oriented with a strong appetite for life. When Kapha prevails, you’re easy-going, methodical and nurturing.
Everyone has some level of all three forces, though most people have one or two elements that predominate. Once you know which one, or combination of two you are, the fun begins. And you can navigate the change of seasons more skillfully.
More on dosha balancing and how to create a practice that supports your dosha essence next week. Can’t wait?
There is a great book that is easy to read with recipes, and yoga practices, for every dosha. The title is not my favorite, The Yoga Body Diet, but this is certainly a book to not judge by its cover.
Be well…it’s a state of mind.