Keeping Cool in the Summer

Summer heat can definitely throw us off balance —it can overdo our fire (Pitta) and, through dehydration from sweating, our dryness (Vata). We may also be exposed to air conditioning, which is both cooling and drying. Frequent changing back and forth between the heat and the coolness can also aggravate our Vata. To stay cool and moist we can take the help of some simple self care routines.
To keep Pitta calm-
-avoid exercising when it is hot—use early morning or evening time.
-spend time near water and walk in the moonlight
-eat lighter foods—perfect time for salads and fruit. Blueberries are very cooling! Monitor how much sour or spicy foods, which can heat your body.
-avoid being too ambitious—REST a bit more, hang out with friends & socialize more
-carry a spritzer with rose water or with sandalwood essential oil added to water in it—both cooling and refreshing to spray yourself with when you’re feeling too hot
-run cool water over your wrists for a quick cool down you can do anytime you visit the bathroom—or go to the creek and dangle your feet in it. At the end of the day a tepid bath can help draw excess heat out of your body.
-be sure to go to bed around 10 pm rather than go with the temptation to stay up late
-drink cooling drinks rather than alcohol or stimulants—cool hisbiscus tea, organic concord grape juice, cool mint , or raspberry tea--- you can even mix them all together with a squirt of rose water for a super cooling drink. Ps—don’t drink the super cooling drink with a meal—it might douse your digestive fire!
-use the cooling breath—shitali. Make a swamp-cooler out of your mouth at those moments you are especially feeling the heat (best done away from times of digestion) Curl your tongue—either into a tube (if you have the genetic ability to do that) or curl it up behind your gently closed teeth. Then inhale through your mouth, exhale through your nose. This will cool the air entering your body. (It will also dry your mouth, so be sure you are getting plenty to drink when you do this!)
-wear a hat in the sun to avoid getting ‘Hot Headed”, stay in the shade as much as possible.
-relax—laugh—be silly—goof off--socialize with friends-- instead of fueling your ambition to the max.
To keep Vata calm-
-if you have a choice, in a dry climate, a swamp cooler may work as well as an air conditioner, while adding moisture to the air as it cools. Portable ones are available.
-BE SURE TO DRINK PLENTY OF WATER & TEA – dehydration can make you more tired & groggy.
- be sure you get your healthy oils (EFAs) and have salad dressings on your salads. Moderate really cold foods in your diet—even though tempting in the heat—go for room temperature or just a LITTLE cooled. Avoid spicy foods—they are usually very drying as well as heating—they are used to make you sweat—so don’t overdo, especially if you are Vata.
-try keep a routine as much as possible—even though you might take a vacation. Eat & sleep as regularly as possible.

These are a few helps to weather the fun summer time weather—so that next fall you won’t be so out of balance that you must do pancha karma to balance before you end up with a flu!

If you’d like to experience Terra’s unique blend of Ayurveda, Maya uterine/abdominal therapy & healing, women’s health wisdom, Reiki, and flower essences, call her at 720.628.5015 or email wisewomanhood@gmail.com.

Basic Self Care for Vata - excerpt from AYURVEDA FOR THE CHILDBEARING YEAR

The fall season is the time of Vata- the plant energy descends deep into the roots as the cool weather comes. Dry winds can come with the cold. The weather shifts quickly from cool to warm and back. It is emphasized in Vata climate of Colorado where I live-- Vata usually lasts here until the wet snows of February begin the spring.

Here is a primer on Vata and some ideas for self care when you have too much Vata in your body or mind.

Vata - Vata is dry, light, expansive, rough, cold,
changeable, subtle, and quick. Too much of these qualities
in someone's life can imbalance their Vata. Governing
motion, Vata rules neurological communications, movement
of food through the digestive system, urinary control, sexual
ejaculation, menstruation & childbirth. Its "seat", or place in
the body where it is more predominant, is the colon/pelvic
area. Fall & early winter are Vata times of year. Elder years
are Vata time of life. 3 am- sunrise and 2-3 pm - sunset are
Vata times of day. Vata is often more evident during pregnancy
and especially postpartum. (If pregnant, always check
to make sure any therapy you do is truly safe for pregnancyeverything
suggested in this chapter is considered safe for
pregnancy.) Vata can also be over stimulated by a lifestyle of
irregular eating & sleeping, and quickly arising situations.

Balanced expression: The body is functioning
smoothly; one feels life flowing. We feel alert, sensitive,
enthusiastic, spontaneous, and creative.


Excess expression: The body suffers constipation,
shakiness, cramps, gas, fatigue, or menstrual cramps before
bleeding. Emotionally, we feel overwhelmed, fearful,
forgetful, distracted, moody, or sleep irregularly.


What to do if imbalanced in Vata? We warm,
ground, contain, smooth, moisten, slow, and steady ourselves.
• Have regular, moderate exercise, in moderate
amounts, such as walking or hatha yoga
• Take warm, relaxing baths. Sip warm, vital
water frequently through out the day. Listen to a stream or a
fountain.
• Aromatherapy/incense - sandalwood, camphor,
wintergreen, musk
• Use music to the calm, nurture, ground yourself.
Avoid loud rock music or any loud noises.
• Calm your mind with gentle habits of reading,
meditating, praying. Avoid fearful, worrisome or
overwhelmed thinking. Avoid too much thinking or talking
or studying. Avoid excess stimulation by media & computers.
• Be settled. Avoid moving homes, jobs, etc.
too much. Do not travel too much, especially by airplane
• Have a routine- eat, sleep, BM at regular
times soothes the body and mind.
• Slow, gentle self massage with sesame or almond
oil, especially to feet, top of head, back, & abdomen
or get massage from someone else regularly.
• Have time alone. Avoid overworking & too
much socializing.
• Get regular sleep. Go to bed before 10 pm,
earlier if possible. Get enough sleep.
• Get the tastes that balance Vata- predominately
sweet, sour, & salty. Eat heavy, moist, & warm food
with digestive spices added. Avoid cold foods or beverages
and stimulants like caffeine, alcohol. ( a little beer or wine w/
meal OK occasionally) Avoid junk food & microwaved
food; avoid leftovers more than 12 hours old.
• Drink nourishing herbal infusions daily especially
oat straw.
• Eat mindfully – Sit down while eating. Before
eating sit quietly, breathe deeply, and give thanks. Chew
thoroughly.
• Use color therapy - most colors good -pastel
colors for sensitivity, avoiding lots of dark or heavy colorsor
gems -emerald, jade, peridot set in gold; yellow sapphire,
topaz & citrine & other yellow stones set in gold; ruby or
garnet can help circulation & energy- & gem elixirs to work
with the energy.

to buy a copy of Ayurveda for the Childbearing Year go to Lulu.com and search the title.
--Terra Rafael