RITUCHARYA — SEASONAL LIVING THROUGH AN AYURVEDIC LENS

Sometimes known as the ‘Art of Living’, Ayurveda has deep roots in Vedic wisdom and compliments yoga in many ways. 

Seasonal and cyclical living is a very old practice, one that has existed within the realms of Ayurveda for a long, long time. 

The Ayurvedic term for seasonal living is Ritucharya.

It comprises two words, ‘Rita’ which refers to season and ‘Charya’ which refers to routine. 

Human beings are a part of nature. We come from it and we are innately connected to it.  Sometimes, we may forget this; and in doing so, we dismiss the effect that the natural world and its changing states inevitably has on us. 

Ayurveda recognises that throughout the year, each season is occupied by certain doshas, with different elements being more dominant, and these changes can and do impact us, whether we are aware of it or not. 

When we adapt and align with the changing seasons, we find greater harmony and balance.

This breeds health and longevity both in our lives and in our yoga practice. 

Each season and its doshas. 

SPRING

Spring is a time of new beginnings. The prevalent doshas in spring are kapha and pitta.
Nature is coming back to life after the deep hibernation of winter. Flowers bloom, animals emerge from hibernation and the earth feels as though it’s coming alive. 

There is a sense of re-emerging, and the renewal of the sun inspires more energy and creation. More vigorous movement practices are helpful to shake off any leftover kapha and stagnation from winter, and support the rising energy that accompanies spring.
The energy of kapha is growth/building. The energy of pitta is heating. Two qualities that are resemblant of springtime. 

SUMMER

The months of summer bring with it excess heat as the fire element is in dominance, meaning pitta is at an all time high.  Excess heat can promote irritability, inflammation and impulsiveness, if not kept in check. Our yoga practice should then become more cooling, slower and mellow, so as not to build unnecessary heat in the body.

AUTUMN

Autumn is the mark of the end of those long, hot summer days and is typically vata season according to Ayurveda. The element of air drives strong winds and cools the temperature, which can also be drying for the skin, and body, both internally and externally. Here, it’s important to nourish the body with warming oils, warming spices and engage in grounding, slow movement and meditation practices.

WINTER

Winter is a beautiful balance to the long, hot summer of intensity and expenditure. It offers a time for reflection, rest and recuperation. The earth element is dominant here which can promote excess kapha bringing sensations of lethargy, fatigue and heaviness. Kapha season supports meditation, endurance, memory and introspection. We may crave warming foods such as soups, stews and curries. As we are likely eating more, we should also be moving our bodies through more intense and vigorous exercise, while still prioritising rest.  

Ayurveda adopts the philosophy that ‘like increases like’. For example, those of kapha constitution will be more likely to linger in heaviness and lethargy, as those are similar to the energy of kapha already. Those of vata constitution may feel more comfortable in fast paced, moving spaces, and find it difficult to rest, as vata is categorised by movement and lightness. 

In order to balance our imbalances, we may need to do what feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar.
In the heaviness of winter, we actually require movement.
In the intensity of summer, we need to slow down and cool down.

Our intuition may naturally draw us toward practices that are balancing to our environment. For example, we may feel inclined to eat warming foods in winter, and eat juices and salads in summer; however due to our modern lifestyles and inventions such as air conditioning, heating and our overall resistance to feeling uncomfortable, these sensitivities can be thrown off balance leaving us even more disconnected from ourselves and the natural world.

Tuning back into nature, understanding the ways in which it influences us is so important in our modern lives.  We can reconnect and cultivate a lifestyle that promotes health, wellness and longevity, balancing the imbalances, honouring the very real and relevant cycles that govern our natural world. 

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SEASONAL platform is here to support you in your journey of Ritucharya, seasonal living. 

Yoga, meditation and breathwork practices that are aligned with the seasons here in the southern hemisphere. To keep you balanced.

There’s a free seven day trial to check the platform out, and see how it feels.