What is the Seasonal Cycle?
In Ayurveda the year is divided into three main seasons. Mother Nature changes and her seasons follow each other like clockwork. The changes in Nature affect all living beings living on the planet. For some, these changes have beneficial effects, and for some, they do not. It all depends on the season and your mind-body constitution. A proper seasonal adjustment to your diet will minimize the negative effect on your mental and physical health.
How Do Energies Change with the Seasons?
The Vata, Pitta, and Kapha energies change in each season. One of the energies dominates while the other two virtually have no impact during that season. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha each dominate one of the seasons as shown below.
Kapha energy increases in Nature during the spring season. This means that if you have a Kapha constitution, the Kapha energy in you is likely to be aggravated in spring. Pitta energy increases in Nature during the summer season. This increase means that if your constitution is Pitta, the Pitta energy in you is more likely to be aggravated in summer. Vata energy increases in Nature during the fall/winter season. This means that if you have a Vata constitution, the Vata energy in you is likely to be aggravated in fall/winter. The energy that dominates the season dictates what adjustments you need to make to your Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle. In order to keep your balance, you must change to match the change in energy in that particular season.
My point here is that we need to be mindful of changes in outer Nature and make adjustments in our regimen, diet, and lifestyle accordingly such that our inner nature remains in balance.
One of the best nourishing things you could do during fall/winter seasons is warm oil massage. If you do not make these adjustments, you may develop constipation, joint pains, and nervous system related conditions like anxiety, depression, and loss of memory. Discover more about spring and summer seasonal adjustments in the “Health+Happiness=Wellness” book.
As You Change Your Clothing, So Should Your Diet
A good way to remember about seasonal modifications is to observe how you change your clothing. As the season changes to summer, you change your clothing to lighter, cooler, and softer, more calming colors. As the season changes to fall/winter, you change your clothing to warmer, heavier, and darker colors. And as the season turns to spring, you change your clothing to a bit lighter, brighter, but still somewhat warm colors that are not as cool and light as in summer. Work this pattern into your Ayurvedic diet as well. In this case, what you put on the outside is a guide for what you put in the inside.
Tags: Diet, Life Style
