When Agni becomes sluggish and Pitha needs balance
How Ayurveda helps you in summer
In Europe, we tend to be drawn to wellness in the cold season. But the summer heat can also be quite exhausting and not only physically but also mentally exhausting.
Ayurvedic treatments can help here: As a health science with a holistic approach, the ancient Indian art of healing is more than just wellness. It involves the body, mind and psyche as well as individual conditions and external influences.
So what changes in us in summer according to Ayurveda? How can we support our inner and outer selves accordingly?
What summer does to our bodies
In Ayurvedic teachings, all seasons have an influence on our “Dosha” body energies, as Siddik Salahudeen, practitioner at the Tulsi Ayurveda Center at the JUFA Hotel Stift Gurk****, explains. In the season from June to October, for example, “Pitha” is elevated in many people. The dosha is associated with the element of fire and is accordingly strengthened by the warm temperatures.
At the same time, the digestive fire “Agni” is often reduced due to the influence of summertime. The digestive tract therefore becomes slower and less able to cope with heavy foods, which is why we often intuitively reach for light dishes such as salads and fruit.
“Ayurvedic therapies in summer are therefore aimed at balancing the pitha energy and enabling agni to function properly,” says Siddik. To achieve this, the expert recommends supportive treatments and a special diet.
It's all in the mix
The Abhyanga full-body massage is an Ayurvedic classic that Siddik practices all year round. The key to alleviating the effects of the heat on the body in the best possible way lies in the oils used. The mixture Ksheerabala with mallow extract, for example, is very suitable for balancing pitha.
Ayurveda practitioners are usually also familiar with the Shirodhara forehead pouring. Here too, the choice of the right liquid is crucial for the cooling and relaxing effect on body and mind. This is why a forehead pouring with buttermilk is also offered in Gurk during the summer months.
Pitha, Vata, Kapha: What are doshas?
In Ayurveda, dosha – “that which directs” – refers to the three vital energies that are present in all individuals in a certain ratio from birth. These three energies, Vata, Kapha and Pitha, have different qualities that influence us mentally and physically.
According to this understanding, people with strong Pitha – the “fire energy” – have characteristics such as determination and assertiveness as well as an active lifestyle and good metabolism.
The key point here is that the individual original state of the doshas should be maintained in order to prevent physical and mental complaints. Ayurvedic treatments and dietary recommendations therefore aim to restore balance to the dosha constitution, which has become unbalanced due to environmental influences or lifestyle.
Before starting the treatments, the Ayurvedic practitioner determines the ratio of the doshas via pulse diagnosis and adapts the treatments accordingly.
You are what you eat ...
To make digestion easier and relieve the body when agni is reduced, it is not necessary to diet or fast. Instead, the focus is on certain flavors.
Siddik recommends eating “cooling” foods that are easy for the body to process. Preferably those with Ayurvedic properties:
- Madhura (sweet)
- Snigdha (gentle)
- Sheeta (cool)
- Drava (liquid)
Our expert:
Siddik Salahudeen
The leading practitioner at the Tulsi Ayurveda Center in Gurk has been teaching and practising the Ayurvedic art of healing, yoga and meditation for 17 years. He completed his training at the university in his home town of Kerala – a center of Ayurveda teaching – and at the Pankajakasturi Ayurveda Medical College. He practiced at renowned institutions in India before joining the Tulsi Ayurveda Center in 2022.
Try it out and see for yourself!
If you don’t (yet) want to embark on an entire Ayurveda retreat, you can still find summer relaxation at the JUFA Hotel Stift Gurk****. In and around the baroque monastery building, located in the idyllic Gurk Valley, you can enjoy the coolness of nature on walks, hikes or bike tours.
Individual treatments can be booked to try them out: For example, we recommend the Padabhyanga foot massage after a long day of hiking.
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© Dr. Patrick Braun