The Change of the Seasons
Winter is fading into Spring. There is a cycle to the seasons in the wheel of the year. Here, in the Northeast there are four distinct seasons. As the weather changes and elements shift the dosas (bodily humors) are influenced. This is why in Ayurveda, Ritucharya, self-care changes with the seasons. This includes what we eat, how we spend our day and what type of exercise we should do.
Ritu = season Charya = self-care regime
Spring is Kapha season, which is a combination of Water & Earth elements. Kapha’s seat is in the lungs. Early Spring is the time to shed the stagnancy of winter. In winter we tend to eat fattier and heavier foods and we tend to be less active. This helps us stay warm during the cold months. During this time, Kapha is in a solid state. Just like the winter snow melts as the weather gets warm, so does Kapha melt in our bodies. This can lead up to excess Kapha in our bodies in the Spring. This may show up as mucus or congestion. This is why Spring colds, viruses and allergies are common.
The change of one season into another is an important time for Ayurveda. Increased dosas need to be pacified or moved out before the new season otherwise they may cause health issues. This is why we have seasonal cleanses. The 14 day period in the transition from one season to the next is the time to cleanse. (Technically, this is the last 7 days of one season and the first 7 of the next. However, with weather changes we should follow the climate.) Ayurvedic cleanses are often mono-diets like Kitchari and digestive elixirs. (Fasting completely from food aggravates Vata.)
How The Dosas Build Seasonally
Vata
Starts to accumulate in the late Summer. In Fall & Winter we may need to pacify Vata.
Tend to be aggravated in Fall & Winter.
Alleviates during Spring & early Summer.
Pitta
Accumulates in the Spring. In Summer we may need to pacify Pitta.
Tends to be aggravated in Summer.
Is pacified in Fall and Winter.
Kapha
Accumulates during Winter. In Spring we may need to pacify Kapha.
Tends to be aggravated in Spring.
Alleviates during Fall.