Ayurveda & Yoga....Summer tips, tricks & recipes

Stay Cool This Summer

Ayurveda, the ancient holistic healing modality from India, is based on the five element theory. The foundation for the entire cosmos is seen as an interplay of the energies of Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. All organic and non organic substances are made up of some combination of these five elements. The body's constitution, referred to in Ayurveda as one's 'dosha', is an individual's inherent physical and mental nature. Each persons constitution is a unique combination of the five elements, with some elements more predominant than others.

Summer is dominated by the fire element, related to the Pitta dosha. Pitta translates as 'that which cooks' and is associated with the body's metabolic system and the energy of transformation. Pitta governs our intelligence, discernment, courage, willpower & joy. When out of balance it arouses anger, jealousy, impatience and hatred. It manifests in the body as infections, inflammation, fever, heartburn, acidity, skin disorders and intolerance to heat.

During the summer months the body has a tendency to get overheated.
Ayurveda provides us with simple & effective practices for keeping the fire stoked without letting blaze out of control.

General guidelines for keeping cool & balancing Pitta:

• Emphasize foods that are cool, dry and heavy
• Eat cooling herbs & spices like fennel, mint, coriander, cilantro, turmeric and dill
• Avoid heating spices like cayenne, garlic, horseradish, chilies, basil and black pepper
• Emphasize sweet, bitter and astringent tastes.
• Limit salty, pungent and sour foods
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and refined sugar
• Spend time in cool peaceful environments. Enjoy time in nature, moonlit walks, go for a swim
• Massage body with cooling oils, like coconut & safflower oil
• Laugh, play, relax & unwind and take time to enjoy life!

What’s for Dinner?

Simply Sautéed Greens

• 1 Bunch: Young Fresh Kale,Collards,Chard, Spinach,Dandelion Greens, stemmed, ribbed and shredded into very thin strips
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Ground Turmeric
  
• 2 tsp Coriander Powder
  
• 1 -2 Tbsp Ghee (Clarified Butter) or Coconut Oil

Steam greens for approximately 10 minutes. Heat ghee or coconut oil with 3 Tbsp water in a pan until clear, add the turmeric, coriander and cumin seeds and stir briefly to release aroma.
Add the greens and salt, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until flavors are blended.

Multi-Vitamin Pesto

Pesto adds protein, enzymes, EFA's, vitamins and minerals to your meal. Great on veggies, grains, fish, chicken, bread..just about anything!

• 3 Bunches Fresh Chopped Cilantro
• 3/4 cup Raw Pumpkin Seeds
• 8-12 oz Olive Oil
• Juice of 1 lemon or 1 Lime
• 1-2 inch Fresh Grated Ginger Root
• Himalayan Sea Salt to Taste
• Optional: 1 Tbsp Vita-Mineral Greens, Hemp Protein Powder, GMO Free Lecithen Powder, Nutritional Yeast and/or a handful of Toasted Sea Palm

Place seeds and oil in food processor. Blend for a few seconds. Add cilantro and blend. Add remaining ingredients, except salt and blend until it forms a creamy rich paste. Continue adding oil until you have desired consistency. When you have the desired consistency add salt with a wooden spoon.


Keep Your Cool with Yoga

During the summer your yoga practice ought to be moderate. You can still challenge yourself in your practice however, your practice should ultimately be relaxing and not overly heating. Twists, seated poses, sidebends, inversions and a nice long Savasana (corpse pose) at the end of your practice will help you stay in balance during the warm days of summer.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga strengthens, lubricates and heals the joints. A Yin practice increases mobility and bathes one’s body with vital energy, known as prana or chi. In a Yin practice we evoke our lunar nature with long slow holds, releasing connective tissue and enhancing energy flow and distribution. It is an ideal practice during the warm summer months as the poses allow us to relax and cool the body and the mind.

In a Yin practice first come into the pose, establish a comfortable edge where the muscles are unengaged, however are still stretched, commit to stillness (no fidgeting!) for 3-5 minutes.

Lying Butterfly Pose

Lie on your back and take a moment to feel the weight of your body supported by the earth. Bend the knees and bring the soles of the feet together. Let the knees drop out to the side so that the legs form a diamond shape. Rest back on the elbows with your hands stacked on top of each other on your abdomen. You can also create more of a backbend by lying on a bolster or pillows. You can also place pillows under the thighs for additional support. Focus on breath & sensation and allow the body to slowly unravel..marinate 3-5 minutes.

Join me for a Yin/Yang Yoga Practice every Monday night, 6-7:30
at 7th Heaven Yoga Studio in Berkeley, www.7thheavenyoga.com

Experience this unique style of yoga that combines the active Yang aspect of our nature with our more receptive Yin qualities, creating a deep, integrated practice.
Utilizing the tools of asana (postures), pranayama (breath control), and mindfulness, Yin/Yang Yoga is an enlivening and relaxing journey toward wholeness.

Jill Leslie
kitchenalchemy@gmail.com