3 Yoga Therapy Practices for a Balanced Summer
Summer is a time of significant transitions, not just marked by warmer weather but also by a shift in family routines from school to summer vacation, which can be disorienting. It's a season filled with dance recitals, graduations, school events, and parties. While these are all positive experiences, the nonstop commitments can make it hard to feel grounded, leaving little time for rest and reflection. For moms, the shift in our kids' routines doesn't halt our other commitments like work, self-care, and exercise. For me, it makes it harder, often leading to exhaustion, chronic stress, and burnout.
According to Ayurveda, summer is the season of Pitta, composed of fire and water elements. Pitta is hot, slightly oily, and sharp. If not managed properly, this inner Pitta can lead to burnout, where the inner fire metaphorically 'burns the house down.' However, when harnessed wisely, Pitta energy fuels determination, passion, and willpower.
Pitta governs the body's metabolic processes, including digestion and the assimilation of thoughts, emotions, experiences, and relationships. When Pitta is balanced, we experience normal digestion and regulated desires, hunger, and thirst. However, excess Pitta can cause sharp digestion and inflammation, potentially leading to IBS, arthritis, sciatica, ulcers, and acne. It can also result in irritability, anger, and overly critical behavior, think Type A personality. Conversely, weak Pitta may lead to poor digestion and indecisiveness.
To balance Pitta Dosha, here are three yoga therapy greatest hits:
Yoga Asana (Movement): Engage in movements that build heat in the belly/navel area, the home of Pitta energy. The goal is to build heat without letting it rise to the heart or head. Focus on the abdomen and rest when you feel the warmth rising. This might look like:
Cow Pose -> Downward-Facing Dog -> Upward-Facing Dog -> Cat Pose -> Cow Pose
Move between these poses 3 to 12 times to build heat, resting in Child’s Pose when you feel it in the navel area.
Lower Chakra Meditation: Focus on the three lower chakras to stoke your inner fire and keep Pitta in the belly.
Visualize a red light at the base of the spine (root chakra), an orange light around the pelvic bowl (sacral chakra), and a yellow light below the chest and above the navel (solar plexus chakra). You can enhance this with the sounds LAM, VAM, and RAM.
Kapalabhati (Fire Breath): Perform this breath practice to build internal heat while keeping Pitta in its home in the belly.
Inhale naturally, then for 15 breaths, snap the belly button on the exhale, exhaling once per second. After 15 breaths, take a deep breath in and exhale, engaging the pelvic floor muscles and tucking your chin. Release this, then let your mind land where it wants to go. When you feel distracted, whenever that may be, do one more round. Gradually work up to 30 breaths, but don't do more than 2 rounds. Pitta types will want to do more, so be warned!
Follow up with a Vata Dosha balancing practice, such as Ujjayi breath (ocean breath), for 3-5 minutes to calm the mind. Inhale deeply while slightly constricting the throat to create a quiet whispering oceanic sound.
Visit the Moment for Mom Virtual Studio at momentformom.heymarvelous.com for free access to the Thrive in Summer Course! This course includes all these practices and more, available in video and audio formats. Each practice lasts 20 minutes or less and includes 13 weeks of journal reflections to help you enjoy your summer, avoid burnout, and THRIVE!
