As I write this all bundled up and watching the rain outside my window, it seems far off to believe that the summer solstice is this weekend! Needless to say, summer weather is forecasted to return to the Tetons with a high pressure system moving into the area in the next couple of days. 'Tis living in the Tetons and the constant flux or 'spanda' inherent in our climate and the change from spring into the summer season. Your yoga practice and Ayurvedic practices can help you to find balance whether its chilly and damp outside or hot and dry. Summer is dominated by the fiery element "pitta," one of the components of a persons mind-body constitution (prakriti). Too much pitta can create inflammation in your body and leave you irritable and cranky.
So, in honor of the summer solstice, here are three tips to keep you balanced during the summer months so that you don't find yourself overheated and all "hot and bothered" because of excess pitta.
1) Slow it down and be mindful of your breath. Think cool! Whenever you find yourself heating up, its important to take full breaths. Try not to overcommit your schedule. Practice Ujayi (the three part) yogic breath. As a person with a Pitta-Vata dosha, I especially like to do this when climbing a hill on my mountain bike or when feeling annoyed or upset.
2) Practice cooling asanas (yoga poses). Some great poses for warmer weather include forward bends such as uttanasana or wide-legged forward bend (prasarita padottanasana). Twists, sidebends, and seated or reclined poses are also great this time of year. Don't skip your savasana (corpse) pose at the end of class either. Savasana helps you to unwind, calms your nervous system, is refreshing, and allows all the good work of your practice to settle-in.
3) Hydrate and eat cooling, fresh foods! Start your day with a full class of lemon water. The Teton region is naturally dry, so make sure to find balance by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day and even more when playing outside or exercising. Take advantage of summer's bounty and eat seasonally fresh, preferably organic foods. Eating raw veggies grown from your garden or the farmers market are great options to help balance your diet this time of year.
So, in honor of the summer solstice, here are three tips to keep you balanced during the summer months so that you don't find yourself overheated and all "hot and bothered" because of excess pitta.
1) Slow it down and be mindful of your breath. Think cool! Whenever you find yourself heating up, its important to take full breaths. Try not to overcommit your schedule. Practice Ujayi (the three part) yogic breath. As a person with a Pitta-Vata dosha, I especially like to do this when climbing a hill on my mountain bike or when feeling annoyed or upset.
2) Practice cooling asanas (yoga poses). Some great poses for warmer weather include forward bends such as uttanasana or wide-legged forward bend (prasarita padottanasana). Twists, sidebends, and seated or reclined poses are also great this time of year. Don't skip your savasana (corpse) pose at the end of class either. Savasana helps you to unwind, calms your nervous system, is refreshing, and allows all the good work of your practice to settle-in.
3) Hydrate and eat cooling, fresh foods! Start your day with a full class of lemon water. The Teton region is naturally dry, so make sure to find balance by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day and even more when playing outside or exercising. Take advantage of summer's bounty and eat seasonally fresh, preferably organic foods. Eating raw veggies grown from your garden or the farmers market are great options to help balance your diet this time of year.
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