some Satya practices during the summer (Pitta) season
If you are familiar with general Ayurvedic practices and the three doshas (where you may also hear of vata body type, kapha body type, and pitta body type), you already know that the summer corresponds to the Pitta season.
If you want to learn some of the fundamentals of the doshas, we cover that in “The Three Doshas Defined.”
As we retune our inner rhythm to the energies surrounding our own and the seasonal Pitta dosha this season, we explore the principles surrounding the Yama, Satya.
Are you curious about the Raja yoga system and more details about the Yamas and Niyamas? We outline everything in our blog post, “Overview of the Raja Yoga System.”
Satya is living in a way that aligns with your highest truth. The principles surrounding Satya revolve around being honest with yourself and others. Meaning your words and actions abstain from judgment, ensuring you consistently speak and act with conscious intention. (From a herbal perspective, Burdock aligns well with Satya, as the plant removes unhelpful influences and cleanses both body and mind).
This includes being realistic with your expectations of yourself, others, situations and events that our ego can influence.
One way to practice Satya, is simply by pausing to reflect in situations or conversations, particularly ones that involve many emotions. Examples include disagreements with loved ones or instances requiring last-minute changes. Reflecting before responding, rather than reacting, allows your words and actions to stem from your heart and mind rather than from your ego.
A year-round practice we encourage is to look to nature for cues to sync your inner-rhythms with the energies of the season. With the yin energy of winter behind us, naturally, we have begun to feel more motivated to quicken our pace, plant our seeds of intention and make plans to achieve our desires and manifestations.
This is where the practice of Satya can act as a guide in calibrating with the season and its’ themes. Being honest with ourselves regarding our desires, boundaries, and capabilities allows us to move through the world, walking our best path and bringing our dreams to fruition.
Pitta dosha is ruled by the elements of Fire and Water, energies that influence our actions and emotions (respectively). Think humidity; this dosha’s qualities are oily, hot, light and fluid. Remembering these distinctions as you adjust your daily rituals will allow you to continue walking your best life path.
Yin and restorative yoga practices can provide balance during pitta season (summer season).
FIRE ELEMENT:
When balanced within us, we feel energized, motivated and determined. Our Agni (fire) fuels us forward when we purposely stoke it in healthy ways. This leads to staying consistent in our goal-setting, making achievable plans to attain them, and making any adjustments to our daily routines to stay motivated overall.
WATER ELEMENT:
Spending time doing things we love that stimulate our emotions and empathy helps maintain an inner equilibrium of this element’s characteristics. When supported, we can move about the world with compassion and an open heart, optimizing our relationships and daily opportunities.
With the help of some exceptional resources*, we have compiled some effective practices and diet guidelines to allow you to transition into this new season with grace and continue to thrive.
PRACTICES FOR PITTA SEASON
Try a restorative or yin yoga practice
After a shower, apply a thin layer of coconut oil to your skin
Visit a body of water (or a local pool) and go swimming - revel in the cool sensations and how you feel immersed in this element
Go for a walk at dawn or dusk; elevate this practice by adding moments of earthing (removing your shoes and socks, connecting your bare soles to the ground)
Turn off electronics, such as your phone and the television, an hour prior to bedtime and wait an hour after rising before turning them back on
NOURISHMENT FOR PITTA SEASON
Avoid or practice moderation foods that are sour, spicy and oily, as well as coffee and alcohol, particularly if your skin is sensitive
Add flavours of sweet, bitter and astringent to your diet. Burdock root is excellent to consume during pitta season or if you tend to lean towards a pitta body type or pitta composition (pitta dosha).
Incorporate foods such as fresh leafy greens, ripened sweet fruits, minty yogurts and cooked grains into your meals
Add citrus to your water and make sure to stay hydrated all day long
Sources Cited:
Acknowledgment and thanks to the contributing resources of this publication, Erin Casperson via Kripalu.org, Debra Silverman and Rasa Ayurveda
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.
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