Summer-proof your dosha

Doshas are Ayurveda's way of describing our mind/body types based on the elements of water, earth, fire, wind and space.

Do your dosha a favour this summer and take good care of it with the following tips:

Summertime tips for kaphas from Scarlet Spa therapist Katie

"As a kapha, summer is a great time to keep my energy up and get motivated! Getting up before 7am is lovely when the mornings are  sunny, and between 4 and 7am is great for increasing energy and a starting the day with a bit of va va voom.

"Basking in the summer heat gives you a lighter, brighter feeling, so getting outside as much as possible is important to me.

"Although grazing at barbeques or picnics is tempting, I try to avoid it and just eat at mealtimes. No tomatoes, but drying foods like corn (on the cob on the barbecue!) or asparagus (in a lovely salad) are great.

"I also avoid too many salty or sour foods and go for bitter things to balance my kapha – watercress, spinach, rocket from the garden make that a bit easier in the summer!

"Sugary fruit (melon, berries and the like) add to kapha so go for dried fruit, seeds and nuts. Spicy foods are good too, so I won’t be just living on leaves!

"Kaphas thrive in the summer and have more stamina for vigorous activities than other doshas, so I’m making the most of my favourite season with energetic yoga – sun salutations before the suns up!

"Long walks along the beach are great any time of year, but I’ll be making the most of lighter evenings and getting my walking boots on."

Summertime tips for pitta / kaphas from Scarlet Spa therapist Charmaine:

"Stay cool Pittas! Our pitta dosha will be dominant this season so important to keep cool! Getting in the sea for a bit of wild swimming or a surf will do us world of good on a hot day.

"Adapting my meals to suit the season means I’m trying to reduce my pitta this summer, and as digestion is more difficult for pittas during the summer I’m focusing on things that are sweet and bitter – couscous and quinoa keep it light with cooling fruits like melon and grapes sum up summer food for me.

"Lucky me, when I want to cool my dosha down, I help myself to ice cream and iced tea! Calming activities are good, literally chilling out! A slow stroll through the shady woods and dangling my feet in a stream is my idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon.

My fiery pitta has to be persuaded that this is as good as list-making or reorganizing the kitchen cabinets, and I definitely feel calmer after taking some time to relax.

"Being up early and getting things done before the day heats up is really helpful, then having a siesta (or a mint tea if I’m at work!) puts me right for the afternoon."




Summertime tips for vata / pittas from Scarlet Spa therapist Sarah:

"Pitta is high in summer because of the warmer weather (hopefully!), and this warmth increases vata energy too, too as heat is drying and creates lightness!

"Vata reducing foods, luckily, are some of my favourites and knowing what balances my dosha has encouraged me to be creative and try new things.

"Sweet potato salad, quinoa with beetroot and salty foods are good for vatas, so homemade crisps made from curly kale and sea salt are amazing!

"Sugary, juicy fruits in a summer pudding are a must!

"As with pitas, vata types have more difficult digestion during the summer so keeping food interesting will help keep our appetites healthy – I eat when I’m hungry and try to keep it light and easy to digest and try to eat my main meal for lunch.

"Taking it easy is really important to me through the summer – over heating and feeling strung out does not make for a happy summer!

"Practicing yoga nidra everyday is surprisingly easy and really sets a calm tone for the rest of the day if I do it early in the morning.

"Slow beach strolls and gentle yoga are great, but curling up with a good book is equally effective at relaxing me. Holding on to natural vata creativity is easy in the summer, inspiring sunsets and lots of live music around keep the artistic side of me entertained all summer long."