Nurture Your Mind-Body Balance

Ayurveda teaches that our existence extends beyond the boundaries of our skin. Our personal body is constantly exchanging energy and information with the environment and everything around us. Our doshas – the mind-body principles composed of the natural elements space, air, fire, water, and earth – are always at play in this dynamic exchange, linking our physiology to the world beyond.

For example, when it’s cool and rainy outside, the Kapha dosha inside you responds because its nature is also cold and damp. Each of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) recognizes a particular kind of weather and increases in response. If a dosha increases too much, you experience imbalances that can lead to feelings of discomfort and, if not addressed, ultimately contribute to dis-ease.

In the Northern Hemisphere, we are in the midst of Pitta season, with sunny days and intense heat that increase Pitta in the body, mind, and emotions. If you accumulate too much of this fiery dosha, you are likely to experience irritability, impatience, jealousy, skin rashes, acne, heartburn, hemorrhoids, or digestive problems. All mind-body types are vulnerable to Pitta imbalances in the summer, but if Pitta is your predominant dosha, it is particularly important to follow a balancing routine to maintain your naturally sweet, joyous, and radiant nature.

Here are some basic tips for balancing Pitta:

• Make choices that are cooling, sweet, and stabilizing.
• Follow a regular routine; be careful not to create unnecessary time pressures, which can inflame Pitta.
• Wear cooling colors such as blue, green, and silver.
• Give yourself a daily self-massage using cooling oils such as coconut or olive.
• Choose aromas that are cooling and sweet, such as sandalwood, rose, jasmine, fennel, mint, and lavender. Sprinkle a few drops of one of these oils in a cool bath or on your sheets before you go to sleep.
• Favor cooling foods like cucumbers, sweet fruits, and melons
• Favor sweet, bitter, and astringent foods and reduce pungent, salty, and sour flavors. The delicious sorbet recipe below is a cooling dessert that predominates in the sweet and astringent flavors that will help keep your Pitta in balance this summer.

Raspberry Tofu Sorbet

1 – 12 oz container silken tofu (firm)
1 – 10 oz bag raspberries, frozen
1 – 10 oz bag strawberries, frozen
¼ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon cloves
¼ cup coconut flakes, toasted
¼ cup almonds, toasted

In a food processor, pulse the berries until almost smooth.  Add tofu and continue to purée, then add the maple syrup, vanilla, and cloves.  Continue to puree until a smooth texture is achieved.  Remove from the food processor and scoop out into bowls.  Garnish with toasted coconut flakes and toasted sliced almonds. Store any leftovers in the freezer. Enjoy!

What's your Dosha? >>