Summer Balance

Summer brings warmth.

This is felt in the increase of the element fire/agni in the environment.  The cold, stiff and tense feelings from the winter and sluggishness from the spring are gone.  What is present now is a feeling of expansiveness in the whole being! The fire from the digestive system moves away from the stomach and into the surface of the skin reducing hunger and aggravating the skin.  

We feel drawn to stay outside longer, enjoy the sunshine late into the evening and play in nature.  During this process we accumulate heat in the body.  We see this manifest in short tempers, anger, burning and dry eyes, sunburn, loose bowel movements, headaches and feeling transformation in each moment. 

In balance:

Warm and comfortable in an “all systems go” place. We feel mentally clear and in touch with the flow that is needed to make things work. Organization comes easily and we feel naturally joyful and on purpose.  Fire makes well-intentioned and warm-hearted leaders.

Out of balance:

Excess fire can “burn the house down”. There is a general feeling of hotness, bothered, overly critical, aggressive and easily angered, “no one knows what they are talking about”, “I am always right”, anger in general.  Rashes, diarrhea, heartburn, ulcers, strong body odors, burning eyes.

To bring balance to the fire of the summer:

·       Consume easy to digest, bitter, sweet, alkaline and protein rich foods such as: whole and split mung beans, dark leafy greens, paneer (soft, fresh cheese), grains such as rice and quinoa.  Always eat sweet fruits ALONE such as watermelon, berries, cooked apples, peaches, nectarines, cherries, etc.

·       ROSE ROSE and more ROSE.....

·       Try to stay in the shade during the heat of the day 10 am-2 pm

·       Make cooling teas with any mixture of the following herbs and spices: organic rose petals, elder flowers, peppermint, shatavari, fennel, coriander, licorice root and chamomile.

·       Use rose water to refresh your face and skin throughout the day.

·       Be asleep before 10 pm to avoid the "second wind" energy leak.

·       Avoid hot, spicy, salty, fermented, left over food.

·       Make an attempt to embrace serenity and incorporate calm moments when you can.

·       Ideal exercise is non-competitive, relaxing to the mind and calming to the body; such as swimming, walking in the moonlight, gentle yoga, dancing under the stars.

Affirmation: I embrace serenity and compassion in every situation