Aparigraha-inspired rituals to add to your Summer Practices

As the sun reaches its zenith and the temperatures soar, we find ourselves immersed in the vibrant energy of summer, which aligns with the Ayurvedic season of Pitta. In Ayurveda, Pitta represents the fiery and transformative energy within us. To harmonize with this dynamic season, we can incorporate the principle of Aparigraha into our wellness rituals. 

Aparigraha, a Sanskrit term, encourages non-attachment and simplicity, guiding us to let go of the excess and embrace the simple beauties found in the present moment. Combining the energies of Pitta and how to infuse the essence of Aparigraha can help us find balance and bliss in our day-to-day routines and rituals.

Aparigraha is one of the five Yamas, or ethical guidelines, found in the 8 Limbs of Yoga by Patanjali. It is often translated as "non-possessiveness" or "non-grasping", Aparigraha encourages us to cultivate a sense of detachment from material possessions and desires. By embracing the principles of Aparigraha, we can reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and live a more fulfilling life.

Here are some practical ways to incorporate Aparigraha into your daily rituals during Pitta season:

1. Streamline Your Space: Decluttering your living and working spaces not only creates a sense of calm, but also allows energy to flow freely. Release items you no longer need, keeping only what brings you joy and serves a purpose. A simplified environment enhances clarity and supports a peaceful mindset.

2. Mindful Consumption: Practice mindful eating by choosing foods that pacify Pitta's fiery energy. Opt for cooling and hydrating foods such as fresh fruits, leafy greens, and cooling herbs like mint and coriander. Avoid excessive spicy, oily, and processed foods that may aggravate Pitta. This mindful approach to nourishment encourages a balanced digestive fire and helps maintain vitality.

3. Cultivate a Gratitude Practice: Aparigraha invites us to appreciate and be content with what we have. Start or end your day by reflecting on three things you are grateful for. This practice shifts your focus to the abundance in your life and cultivates a positive mindset.

4. Embrace Simplicity in Self-Care: Choose natural, minimalistic skincare and beauty products that align with the principles of Aparigraha. Look for ingredients that are gentle, nourishing, and free from harsh chemicals. Incorporate practices like oil massage (abhyanga) using cooling oils such as coconut or rose, and take time for soothing activities; such as gentle yoga, meditation, or leisurely walks in nature.

5. Let Go of Excessive Busyness: Pitta season can drive us to be hyper-focused and goal-oriented. While productivity is essential, it's equally important to balance it with rest and relaxation. Allow yourself moments of stillness, unplugged from technology, to recharge and rejuvenate. Consider minimizing your social media and technology use, and spending more time in nature or engaging in creative pursuits. Prioritize activities that bring you joy and help you unwind, such as reading a book, listening to music, or spending quality time with loved ones.

By embracing the themes related to Aparigraha, we create space for growth, contentment, and a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us.  

Let us know in the comments how you incorporate the energies of Pitta season and the principles of Aparigraha, in your daily rituals.

Book your Nectar Experience Summer package to elevate and share your practices with us here on Bowen Island in beautiful British Columbia. Book your 2-Night Nectar Yoga Experience package here

Sources Cited:

Acknowledgement and thanks to the contributing writers for the resources of this publication from Sejal Shah via The Art of Living and Scott Blossom via YogaJournal.

As always, sending gratitude to our community near and far, both for taking the time to explore our blog and for walking the path to your best self - we hope this resonated and aided you in finding peace and balance within.

If you feel called to share your feelings and practices surrounding the practice of Aparigraha, please do so in the comments below or send us a message via email.

All Photos - Copyright Nectar Yoga

Brahmacharya Practices to Adopt this Summer

As we move into the Ayurvedic season of Pitta, it's important to consider how we can stay balanced during the heat of summer and protect our energy. One way to do this is by practicing Brahmacharya, one of the five Yamas of Yoga. Brahmacharya is often translated as celibacy or sexual restraint, but it also encompasses the proper use of energy in all areas of our lives.

In Ayurveda, Brahmacharya is seen as a way to conserve our vital life force, or "prana," which is essential for physical, mental, and spiritual health. By preserving our energy, we can live a more balanced and fulfilling life, free from anxiety, stress, and burnout.

The word "Brahmacharya" is derived from two Sanskrit words: "Brahma," meaning the absolute or divine, and "charya," meaning behaviour or conduct. Therefore, Brahmacharya is often interpreted as the "right use of energy." 

Practicing Brahmacharya involves cultivating self-discipline, self-control, and mindfulness. This includes our relationships, work, hobbies, and daily habits. It involves being mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions and making choices that align with our highest purpose.

During the Ayurveda season of Pitta, practicing Brahmacharya can be particularly beneficial. The season's heat and intensity can lead to agitation, irritability, and burnout if we don't take steps to protect our energy. By practicing Brahmacharya and incorporating daily rituals that help us stay balanced, we can conserve our energy and direct it toward our highest purpose.

One way to practice Brahmacharya during the Pitta season is to incorporate daily rituals that help us stay balanced. Here are a few ideas:

1. Wake up early: Ayurveda recommends waking up before sunrise to align with the natural rhythms of the universe. This helps us feel more energized and focused throughout the day.

2. Practice Yoga: Yoga is a great way to move our bodies and calm our minds. During the Pitta season, it's best to practice gentle, cooling poses like forward folds, seated twists, and gentle backbends.

3. Meditate: Meditation is a powerful tool for conserving energy and calming our minds. You can start with just a few minutes each day and gradually increase the time as you feel more comfortable.

4. Eat cooling foods: During the Pitta season, it's essential to eat cooling and hydrating foods. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, coconut water, and herbal teas.

5. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water and electrolyte-rich drinks like coconut water helps us stay hydrated and cool during the heat of summer.

By incorporating these daily rituals into our lives, we can practice Brahmacharya and protect our energy during the Pitta season. When we conserve our energy and direct it towards our highest purpose, we can live a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Looking for some in-person guidance on where to start incorporating these practices? Book your 2-Night Nectar Yoga Experience package here and spend some time slowing down with us in nature.

Sources Cited:

Acknowledgment and thanks to the contributing writers for the resources of this publication; Segal Shah via The Art of Living, Rolf Sovik via Yoga International and Esther Ekhart of Ekhart Yoga

As always, sending gratitude to our community near and far, both for taking the time to explore our blog and for walking the path to your best self - we hope this resonated and aided you in finding peace and balance within.

If you feel called to share your feelings and practices surrounding the practice of Brahmacharya, please do so in the comments below or send us a message via email.

All Photos - Copyright Nectar Yoga

Plant Medicine | Trees of the Pacific Northwest

Here at Nectar Yoga, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest of Canada, we are blessed with an abundance of different flora and fauna, each lending its’ unique properties to our environments.

As part of the living yoga practice and our commitment to being stewards of the land, part of our practice of Svadhyaya, the Yama translating to self-study, is learning the wisdom of the trees. 

On our 20 acres of forested land at Nectar Yoga, we have over ten different species of trees alone. At the same time, according to provincial government documentation* from British Columbia, there are approximately 40 tree species found across the province.

The roots of trees have two jobs, to anchor the tree to the earth, and absorb nutrients and water from the soil. As humans, our “roots” and foundations are our anchor points as we grow.

We grow stronger when nurtured with healthy food, relationships, lessons, feedback, and reflections. Though our roots are weak from a lack of coping tools, unhealthy relationships, poor nutrition, etc., we struggle to grow. 

Trees, in particular, quietly offer many lessons from which humans can learn much. The David Suzuki Foundation* created a thoughtful list to inspire perspective.

• Always grow toward the light. Live righteously and let your reach exceed your grasp.

• Knowing the smallest scratch can have lasting effects. Be mindful of what you teach children and others who will follow you.

• Provide refuge. Trees give food, shade and shelter. Be a source of comfort. Provide for others in need.

• Share your fruits. Proactively reach out to bring sweetness and sustenance to others.

• Waste nothing. Nature never wastes. Tree leaves fall and enrich the soil for new growth. Give back to the world to sustain others.

• Be supple in the wind. You’re the product of billions of years of evolution. You may be stronger than you think. Bend like the willow to survive life’s storms.

• Grow stronger through life experiences. Just like a tree’s rings record its journey through drought and rain, fire and calm, let life add layers of wisdom as you grow.

• Be a team player. In The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben says “A tree can be only as strong as the forest that surrounds it.” Co-operate. Collaborate. Support each other.

• Have a lasting impact. Trees provide oxygen, clean air and water, enrich the soil and support other life after they fall. Leave the world a better place.

• Be rooted. You’re standing on the shoulders of those who came before you, including all life with which we share [lineage with].

The fascinating ancestral uses, knowledge and medicinal benefits of trees range widely. We have chosen some of our favourites to share with you based on our own day-to-day findings, as well as the notable research and studies done by forestry professionals.*

Western Red Cedar

This tree has been called the cornerstone of Northwest Coast aboriginal culture and has great spiritual significance. When felled, all parts of the tree can be used. Because of its resistance to decay, bacteria and insect invasions, a fallen cedar remains intact and salvageable for use for over 100 years. The wood is typically used for house planks, canoes, paddles, boxes and tools. 

Notice when you break apart a leaf or scratch the bark of a red cedar how aromatic it is, due to the quick release of its essential oil. This oil is a natural repellent, protecting the tree as it grows. Indigenous tribes used the bark for clothing, ropes and baskets and found various medicinal uses, mainly as an antifungal treatment. Cedar leaves could be boiled down to make salves or tinctures, to rub externally on fungal infections on the body to help cure them. The leaves were also boiled, and steam treatments from the infused cedar water effectively promoted a healthy respiratory system.

Western White Pine

This tree species typically grows in closed groupings of trees. When the trees are young, the bark is thick and smooth, though as it ages, it darkens and forms deep vertical grooves. Western white pines are commonly found in drier parts of Vancouver Island, the coastline and the southern interior.

The wood from this tree is ideal for carving because of its fine grain and unique construction projects due to its uniform texture. 

This tree had limited medicinal uses; however, the inner bark and sap were once used to treat respiratory-based illnesses through ointments and tea.

Western Larch

These beautiful trees are most popular in fall when they turn brilliant shades of gold.  They can grow up to 80 meters in height and 850 years old. They grow in clusters in valleys and lower mountain slopes in the southern Interior of BC. They grow in clusters and mixed forests, multiplying quickly as they flourish in full sunlight.  The wood from this tree is one of the strongest in Canada and is used in heavy construction projects, including many railroads across the country.

The thick bark and pattern of shedding lower limbs make this tree resistant to forest fires. 

Historically among various local tribes, for medicinal purposes, the gum extracted from under the bark was used for dressing cuts and bruises. The bark could be boiled into a tea infusion and used to treat coughs and colds. A concentrate of the sap (having been boiled down) was used to wash wounds, and the gummy sap was chewed to relieve a sore throat. Dried resin mixed with grease was also used to make cosmetics or red paint. 

Sitka Spruce 

Found all over the Nectar property and commonly found in the coastal fog belt and wetter areas, where the forest floor is thick with mosses and deer ferns. This tree is known for having wider trunks at full maturity. The largest known of its species is 93 meters tall and 5 meters wide. 

Indigenous tribes living on the coast used many parts of the Sitka spruce. From their roots, they created watertight baskets and hats, ropes, fishing lines, and twine for sewing.  Eating the inner bark or young tree shoots as a source of Vitamin C  The resin has many uses, including chewing gum, and was traditionally used for caulking canoes. The resin is a diuretic (which expels excess sodium from the body) and an antiseptic (which cleans); thus was used for skin irritants such as burns, wounds, infections, and sores. The inner bark was also consumed and used to treat colds, sore throats, and toothaches.

The wood from this tree is valuable, as it is light, soft, and flexible, yet solid and durable. It also contains impressive acoustic properties, making it ideal for building instruments such as pianos, guitars and violins. 

Douglas Fir

There are two varieties of this tree, coastal and interior. Respectively, they are found in their namesakes' areas of the province. The Interior variety grows in various habitats, including wetlands and open forests. The Coastal type grows well alongside western redcedar, grand firs and hemlocks, with forest floors abundant in sword fern supporting them. Like the Western White Pine, the bark becomes dark with age and deeply grooved with ridges.

The wood from Douglas fir is dense and durable, making it highly valuable to exported lumber since the 18th century. Indigenous tribes in the southern parts of BC used the boughs for handles and fishing hooks and covered the floors of lodges and sweat lodges. The limbs were also commonly used for cooking fires. 

The resin from the trunk has antiseptic properties and can be used for various skin ailments, including cuts, scrapes, burns, and others. The resin can also be chewed like gum and used to treat cold symptoms like a sore throat or cough. Twigs and shoots are also known to have medicinal properties.

Douglas-firs serve more purposes than just standing as a Christmas tree. A historical medicinal use is evergreen tree tip tea. The tea has a citrus-pine flavour and is extremely hydrating and revitalizing. This tea is an excellent source of vitamin C, and for the best flavour, Douglas-fir tips should be harvested in the springtime.

Depending where you are in the world, some of the trees we mentioned may or may not be familiar. Our intention behind sharing this post is to inspire our community to learn more about the trees in their local areas. We encourage you to find out what natural healing properties and amenities have been surrounding you that you have never noticed, and perhaps gain a deeper appreciation for what nature offers us.

Sources Cited:
Acknowledgment and thanks to the contributing resources of this publication,

As always, sending gratitude to our community near and far, both for taking the time to explore our blog and for walking the path to your best self - we hope this resonated and aids you in finding peace and balance within.

If you feel called to share your feelings and practices surrounding the recent seasonal shift, please do so in the comments below or send us a message via email.

All Photos - Copyright Nectar Yoga