Welcome to the heart of Summer! The peak of Pitta season has arrived in all her fire, warmth and glory. Luscious greens, colorful lilies, zinnias, morning glory, and daisies of every variety. The farmers markets are flowing with fresh local fruits and vegetables. Sun and Abundance! One thing that has been consistent this Summer here in the North East is the water element. Humidity in Pitta season along the coast is often predictable, but this year we have had regularity of overflowing rains. This moisture has helped to keep the soil happy and prevent excessive dryness as we head into August. It is fascinating to observe how each season, year to year, brings something new. Every day and minute an opportunity to observe change and growth. If you are a Vata type the warm moisture should be feeling really good. If you are a Pitta type, you tend to go out of balance in the high heat of the day and the water may be causing you to feel heavy. For Kaphas, you like the warmth, but the excessive moisture may also be leaving you feeling heavy and lethargic.
1. This is the best time of year to enjoy local, ripe room temperature fruits and vegetables as well as salads. 2. Minimize cheeses and heavy oily foods. 3. Favor sweet, bitter and astringent tastes for Pitta types, bitter and astringent tastes for kapha types. Vata types continue to favor sweet, salty and sour and be sure to keep these in balance. 4. Avoid or eliminate pungent (hot & spicy) foods and spices. 5. Drink room temperature water or cool water with fresh mint and lime. (No ice, Yes, even in Summer! Ice puts out the digestive fire) 6. Raw veggies are always best eaten at lunch when agni (digestive fire) is the highest as opposed to dinner.
The Gayatri mantra is a beautiful practice for drawing in the spiritual energy of the Sun into our bodies, minds, hearts and souls, acting as a spotlight to our inner world.
Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt
Overall meaning: We meditate on that most adored Supreme Divine Lord, the creator, whose effulgence (divine light) illumininates all realms (physical, mental and spiritual). May this divine light brighten our intellect.
Word meaning: Om: The primeval sound; Bhur: the physical body/physical realm; Bhuvah: the life force/the mental realm Suvah: the soul/spiritual realm; Tat: That (God); Savitur: the Sun, Creator (source of all life); Vareñyam: adore; Bhargo: effulgence (divine light); Devasya: supreme Lord; Dhīmahi: meditate; Dhiyo: the intellect; Yo: May this light; Nah: our; Prachodayāt: illumine/inspire.
source: http://www.sathyasai.org/gayatri
Ayurveda’s wisdom is based on the idea that “like increases like.” For example, if a fiery, temperamental Pitta type individual who works in a high stress environment eats hot, spicy foods and excessive red meat when it’s 90˚ outside, he or she will only get hotter and more irritable. Ayurveda treats imbalances with their opposites. We suggest to choose activities that help you to stay cool during the hot Summer hours of the day, 11am - 3pm.This is the perfect time of day to swim in the ocean, lake or pool. Stay covered under an umbrella when on the beach during the hours when the sun is strongest. Hike in shady moist areas. When working, staying cool indoors is best. Exercise, gardening, hiking and competitive outdoor activities are best done in the early morning hours and later afternoon to early evening.
Daisies are composite flowers, meaning that they actually consist of two flowers combined into one. The inner section is called a disc floret, and the outer petal section is called a ray floret. Because daisies are composed of two flowers that blend together so well, they also symbolize true love.
In Old English, daisies were referred to as “day’s eye” because at night the petals close over the yellow center and during the day they re-open. The phrase “as fresh as a daisy” originated from this, signifying that someone had a good night’s rest.