Dosha’s of the season: how to align with the elements

So you now know what a Dosha is - and how it governs our body energetically and physically. But let’s look deeper of doshas in nature, specifically the season and or stage of life.

Vata - Late fall/ Early Winter. Qualities: cold, light, mobile, dry
Kapha - Winter/Spring. Qualities: cold, stagnant, dull, soft
Pitta - Summer/Early Fall. Qualities: hot, bright, sharp, oily

Each cycle of season shifts and creates transformations in nature. Depending on where you live, you can witness this by the leaves of plants, temperature changes, precipitation, daylight shifts, etc. Additionally, we will witness local food as it grows naturally can have it’s own season of nurture.

By understanding the season you live in - you can understand it’s affects on your particular dosha and prep accordingly to adjust. Ayurveda seems complicated, and it is quite specific, but the general rule: like attracts like, opposites balance.

For instance, Vata ruled by space and air (wind)…which tends to pick up in this season can affect a person with a Vata dominant dosha in many ways. We see this as a mirror - as the wind causes dryer, less humid air quality - our Vata dosha people may experience drier skin and digestion to balance this, we need more heavier, warm nutrition and oiling the skin. A Pitta may want to find extra cooling in summer due to the hot and sharp nature, so we can add cooling breath work or herbs. A Kapha may need more uplifting activities to beat the heavy and denseness of the energy.

On the same note, we can all be affected by the season even if it’s not our dominant dosha. This is because, we have all the dosha’s within us. Additionally, there are dosha dominant times in the 24 hour clock we can align our routines to.

Vata: 2am - 6am, 2pm - 6pm
Pitta: 10am - 2pm, 10pm - 2pm
Kapha: 6am - 10am, 6pm - 10pm

To understand the times, it can go back to the qualities of each dosha and it’s nature. If we're looking to pacify an imbalance, we would for instance wake up at the according time. Kapha for instance shoulda wake before the Kapha energy is in full swing (before 6am ideally).

Do you notice how your mind and body shift from season to season? Take note from the past and learn more about how you can add Ayurveda practices to your daily life. Consider, with just understanding the qualities of each season, how you can balance to align the doshas.

To understand each season better, we focus on a series through movement and breath in a series for you to feel the energetics. Additionally you can check out each season tips on the blog.