Summer Ayurveda Guide

Let your energy bloom without burning out

Harmony in the summer heat

Summer is ruled by the Pitta dosha, bringing heat, intensity, and transformation. It is a season of energy and growth, but it can also disrupt balance, especially for Pitta types.

Living in alignment with the season

Ayurveda encourages us to live in sync with the seasons by adjusting our diet, lifestyle, and mindset to stay cool, grounded, and clear. Summer invites us to shine, but we must protect our ojas, or vital energy, by softening intensity, honoring rest, and nourishing the heart.

In this summer guide, you will find Ayurvedic tips for each dosha to stay balanced, hydrated, and centered throughout the summer.

Tridoshic wisdom for summer balance

The following practices are supportive for everyone, regardless of your primary dosha. They help maintain equilibrium and vitality during the summer heat.

Wake up early (before sunrise) to align with the light.
Stay hydrated with herbal infusions like rose, tulasi, hibiscus, or coriander tea.
Limit exposure to the midday sun; take cooling moon baths in the evening.
Make time for stillness and joy, especially in the shade of a tree or by the ocean.

Pitta in summer: Soothe the inner fire

Pitta is naturally aggravated in the summer. Think: heat, intensity, ambition, and sharp digestion, all of which can go into overdrive.

Herbs for Pitta

Shatavari – Cooling, calming, and nourishing for the reproductive and digestive systems.
Brahmi – Balances mental fire, soothes tension, and supports restful sleep.
Guduchi – Anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and supportive for liver health.

Foods for Pitta

Emphasize cool, hydrating foods: cucumber, mint, cilantro, melon, coconut, zucchini.
Favor sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes.
Avoid spicy, oily, salty, and sour foods (i.e, chili, tomato, vinegar, fermented items).

Pranayama for Pitta

Practice Sheetali (cooling breath): Roll the tongue or purse the lips and inhale through the mouth, exhale through the nose.
Practice Chandra Bhedana (left nostril breathing) to activate lunar, cooling energy.
Keep breath smooth, slow, and without force

Yoga for Pitta

Favor gentle, cooling flows with an emphasis on forward bends and twists.
Avoid heated practices like hot yoga or competitive postures.
Poses: Child’s Pose, Moon Salutations, Supine Twist, Seated Forward Fold.

Mindfulness practice for Pitta

Let go of perfectionism.
Practice loving-kindness meditation (Metta) to soften inner criticism.
Walk barefoot in nature, especially near water.
Cultivate contentment (Santosha) with journaling prompts like: “What is enough today?”

Vata in summer: Ground the airy winds

While summer’s warmth can calm Vata’s cold nature, its erratic, dry quality (especially in late summer) can aggravate Vata if you're not careful.

Herbs for Vata

Ashwagandha – Strengthens the nervous system, relieves anxiety, and promotes grounded energy.
Licorice – Moistens and soothes the digestive and respiratory tract.
Hingvastak churna – Supports digestion and relieves gas.

Foods for Vata

Eat warm, cooked meals with good oils (ghee, sesame).
Favor sweet, salty, and sour tastes.
Include foods like quinoa, sweet potato, avocado, stewed fruits, and basmati rice.

Pranayama for Vata

Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) to calm the nervous system.
Practice Ujjayi for anchoring breath awareness and inner focus.
Stay warm and avoid breath retention.

Yoga for Vata

Choose slow, steady flows with long holds and grounding postures.
Focus on stability, stillness, and breath.
Poses: Mountain Pose, Tree Pose, Warrior I & II, Seated Forward Fold, Legs-Up-the-Wall.

Mindfulness practice for Vata

Create structured daily rituals and stick to a routine.
Use mantra repetition (like “So Hum”) to anchor scattered energy.
Journal on: “Where in my life can I cultivate more rhythm and presence?”
Body oiling with warm sesame oil before bathing is deeply stabilizing.

Kapha in summer: Lighten the earth & water

Summer’s warmth helps melt the cold, heavy qualities of Kapha, making it the perfect season for invigoration and renewal.

Herbs for Kapha

Trikatu (ginger, black pepper, pippali) – Stimulates digestion and metabolism.
Tulsi – Clears respiratory congestion and uplifts the spirit.
Punarnava – Supports detoxification and kidney function.

Foods for Kapha

Favor light, dry, warm foods and spicy, bitter, and astringent tastes.
Minimize dairy, sugar, and heavy oils.
Eat greens, sprouts, berries, barley, beans, and use plenty of spices like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon.

Pranayama for Kapha

Practice Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath) to invigorate and clear stagnation.
Bhastrika (bellows breath) is great for stimulating energy—but avoid in extreme heat.
Begin with slow breathing, then build intensity.

Yoga for Kapha

Focus on dynamic, heat-building flows like Vinyasa or Power Yoga.
Include backbends and standing balances to stimulate circulation and metabolism.
Poses: Sun Salutations, Chair Pose, Bow Pose, Camel Pose, Twists, Lunges.

Mindfulness practice for Kapha

Break inertia with movement-based meditation like walking meditations or ecstatic dance.
Practice goal setting and visioning during sunrise hours.
Journal on: “What am I ready to release to make space for new vitality?”

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