Ayurveda measures the seasons much as it does all aspects of life - through the elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether. The predominance of each of these elements at any given time and within any sentient being helps us to understand the constitution (dosha), or elemental makeup, that is inherent and unique to all things. When these elements fluctuate in the environment, we experience changes in our bodies and our minds, potentially creating imbalances characterized in Ayurveda by the doshic (constitutional) forces of “vata” (an excess of air and ether), “pitta” (an excess of fire and some water), and “kapha” (an excess of water and earth).
Vata season, which began in late Fall and lasts through Winter is marked by a predominance of air and ether. When the weather cools off, we experience the “cold, light, dry, and mobile” qualities that are characteristic of vata dosha. You may have experienced similar qualities in your body as your skin dried out; circulation slowed and you generally felt colder; digestive disturbances such as gas or drier stools may have become more common; and “mobile” emotions such as fear, anxiety, or overwhelm started to rise. We can all experience some or all of these changes during vata season but those who also have a vata constitution or imbalance will experience them to a much greater degree.
On a macro level, vata season is similar to the end of a sentient being’s life, when the elements start to break down and eventually decay. In the environment, the leaves and flowers dry up and dead matter is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. For sentient beings, this is a time for spiritual reflection and to share with others the wisdom of your life before passing on to the next. For now, as we come to the end of vata season, we can all meditate on letting go of the metaphorical decay that exists in our life - old energy, thought patterns, and habits that no longer serve us.
During late Winter and early Spring, we move into kapha season with its predominance of earth and water elements, which are “cool, heavy, moist, and stable”. Much of the country is already experiencing this transition with massive winter storms carrying extensive moisture across the United States. You may experience this in your body as mucus starts to accumulate, you feel more congested, your digestion may slow down, and an overall sense of lethargy or heaviness sets in. Anybody can experience this during kapha season but those who also have a kapha constitution or imbalance will feel it much more acutely.
Kapha season will be in full effect by springtime when relatively warmer (but still very cool) moisture starts to flow and we enjoy the fruits of growth brought in by the rain (water element) and nurturing of the soil (earth element). The earth will, in essence, be reborn as flowers bloom and old growth is washed away. This “rebirth” is tantamount to the kapha time in a sentient being’s life: birth to puberty. It is a time to nourish and strengthen, build new tissue, and flow with the tides of life. As such, this time of year becomes an opportunity for many to rejuvenate, strengthen, and stabilize.
For those with a more prominent vata nature, the earth and water elements of kapha season will stabilize your excesses of air and ether. Vata dosha can capitalize on this time to draw the elements into their body that most support them: heavier, unctuous and warmer foods and lifestyle choices that will help them to feel more grounded, nurtured and protected. Seek practices that support fluidity and grounding through the physical and subtle bodies; use healthy oils and ghee in your diet and on your body in self-massage; attune your sleep to the circadian rhythms of the sun; and seek physical exercises that support more natural “flow” in the body such as fluid or restorative yoga, yoga nidra, slow dance, gentle swimming, or strolling in the rain on a warm day.
The vata diet should always be warm (no raw foods) and emphasize stable, grounding nutrients (meats, root vegetables, grains) with sufficient moisture (ghee, sesame oil) and warming spices like fresh ginger, mineral salt, and cumin. Reduce - or, ideally, eliminate - caffeine and alcohol as both are drying and agitate the nervous system. Unctuous teas such as licorice and marshmallow are wonderful; warm them up energetically with fresh ginger and add some raw honey to enhance the heavy sweet taste in your diet.
Kapha dosha - earth and water constitutions - will start to become aggravated in late Winter and early Spring, especially if not working to balance the predominance of the qualities of “cool, heavy, and moist” that are already prevalent in physical and subtle bodies. Excess moisture will lead to increased mucus in the body, which will feel “stuck” during the colder months (congestion, sluggish digestion, and poor circulation) and will start to flow from the body in the Spring (increased sweating, nasal drainage, and mucous-filled cough). A feeling of heaviness and deeper congestion will also set in if proper cleansing, lightening, and heating practices that balance kapha dosha are not followed. Kaphas will especially feel this in the late winter when the continued cold and moist nature of the environment can lead to increased lethargy and dullness of mind.
Kaphas should incorporate lighter foods - bitter greens, astringent cruciferous vegetables, and lighter grains such as quinoa and barley - with more hot spices like dry ginger, black pepper, and cayenne. Engage in activities that generate more heat and are more vigorous in nature: power yoga, running, long bike rides, and dry saunas. Eliminate all mucus-forming foods such as dairy and heavy proteins and drink hot water throughout the day to help clear the channels of the body. Caffeine in moderation is okay, with black teas being best, so long as the nervous system is not already overactive. A hot ginger-turmeric tea is ideal, especially after meals.
Pitta dosha - predominant fire and some water - thrives this time of year. With all of the qualities (cool, moist, and heavy) in play that stabilize their hot, light, and mobile nature, pittas will enjoy time outside, feeling the cold on their skin and the moisture in the air (note: pittas are more oily by nature so the pure, cool water element of kapha helps make them more unctuous and less greasy). The pitta time of a sentient being’s life is post-puberty through retirement or menopause for women. This is the time for productivity, creating new life, and changing the world. Pittas are well-advised to embody the elements of kapha season to help them avoid burn out. Resist excessive exercise and heated emotions, and spend some time cocooned during the Winter months. Adopt a restorative yoga practice and spend time in walking meditation in nature.
Pittas should build on the energetics of this season, especially with Summer - the season that most aggravates their predominant fire constitution - just around the corner. Adopt cooling practices now by bringing in cooler foods (no raw salads yet but cooked bitter greens and root vegetables work well) and cooler spices such as coriander and fennel. Eliminate all hot spices and foods with highly acidic qualities such as vinegars, alcohol, and most citrus. Pittas have a lot of natural energy and caffeine will only overheat them and dry them out. Drink plenty of room temperature water and teas that inherently cool the liver like dandelion root, peppermint, and hibiscus. Licorice and turmeric teas taken together are a wonderful anti-inflammatory for pitta dosha.
No matter your dosha, all seasonal transitions provide an opportunity for reflection. As one season exits and another enters, what are you looking to shed from your life that no longer serves you? What can you let go of? What are you seeking to cultivate in mind, body and spirit that will help you flow with the rhythms of life and live each moment to its fullest? Take advantage of this time to attune to what is right for you and enjoy the rebirth of our Earth.
Want to understand more about Ayurveda or learn your dosha? Join me ONLINE during Sundays in April for the Practical Ayurveda Series! You will complete an Ayurvedic dosha self-assessment, access ancient wisdom from the Ayurvedic sages, and apply everyday practical Ayurvedic tools on nutrition, five-sense therapies, and much, much more to help balance your mind, body, and spirit. See you on the path!
Kirsten Ahern, RYT-500, is an Ayurvedic Health Counselor and graduate of the California College of Ayurveda. She is the founder of KA Ayurveda in Washington D.C. and is also a leadership and wellbeing coach. Information provided in this article is not intended to replace guidance from your doctor. If you are experiencing chronic or acute health issues, you should always check with your healthcare practitioner before starting a new diet or exercise routine. OM Shanti.