Erin Casperson, Kripalu-certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Academic Coordinator for the Kripalu School of Ayurveda, was kind enough to supply us with 10 ways to stay balanced as you experience all the magic our festivals have to offer.
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It’s summer! So how do you stay cool using Ayurvedic principles while enjoying all the amazing teachers and music at Wanderlust? Ayurveda teaches us that summer is the season governed by pitta dosha. Pitta season is ruled by the elements of fire and water, and has the qualities of being hot, humid (oily), penetrating, spreading, and malodorous. Manifestations of increased pitta in the summer include skin rashes and irritations, low appetite and digestive power, heartburn, loose stools, hot/red/burning eyes, strong body odor, mental frustration, and impatience.
Here are ten ways to balance the excess pitta of the season so you can enjoy a calm, peaceful, relaxed summer and Wanderlust experience.
- Drink coconut water. Coconuts are cooling, and the juice from the young coconuts will hydrate and cool you down. Coconut water balances electrolytes and has more potassium than bananas!
- Self-massage with coconut oil. Coconut oil cools down the irritations of the skin while keeping the nervous system relaxed. Apply before sunscreen to protect skin and after a long day outside to rehydrate skin.
- Swap your synthetics for natural fibers. Cotton and other natural-fiber clothing will keep you cool and allow the skin to breathe.
- Avoid foods that are overheating. These include caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, meats, and fried foods. With the digestive system slowing down in the summer months, favor lighter foods that are easier to digest.
- Choose fresh foods. Look for fruits and vegetables that are in season. Nature always provides the dietary antidote to the season’s effects.
- Eat mindfully. Be attentive to the smells, colors, and tastes. Chew each bite thoroughly.
- Bring a jar of fennel tea. Boil two teaspoons of fennel seeds in one quart of water. Cool and strain into a mason jar. Carry around and sip during the day. Fennel is light and dry and will help to cool heat in the mind, ease nausea, and gently increase digestive strength.
- Take a swim to balance your vigorous yoga practice. This will help to avoid dehydration, skin irritations, and mental frustration.
- Practice Sitali or Sitkari pranayama. These breathing techniques cool the mind and body. Practice Sitali by breathing through the mouth while the sides of the tongue are curled toward each other. Flip the tongue to the roof of the mouth and exhale out the nose, with lips gently resting on each other. For those of you who can’t curl the tongue, perform Sitkari by gently resting the teeth together while breathing through open lips. Flip the tongue to the roof of the mouth and exhale out the nose, with lips gently resting on each other.
- Get an Ayurvedic consultation to learn more about how to balance your unique constitution. The Kripalu School of Ayurveda is bringing two Kripalu-certified Ayurvedic practitioners to Wanderlust in Stratton. Book an appointment through the Stratton schedule.