According to Ayurveda, we should continuously adapt to the changing season or optimal health. Just as nature changes the environment around us, we should also change our diet, lifestyle, and physical practices to comply with the new way of life. Ms. Namita Piparaiya, Yoga, and Ayurveda Lifestyle Specialist, Founder – Yoganama shares her insights on how to adapt the shift in seasons to our Yoga Practice.

There are six seasons which are recognized by Ayurveda, and we should practice Yoga in all seasons. However, since the body’s strength levels do not stay the same throughout the year, it is better to change the pace and intensity to suit our body’s needs.

Early Winter (Nov-Jan) and Late Winter (Jan-Mar)
Strength levels: Strong

These are the seasons when the digestive fire is strong due to the cold weather outside. It enables us to take a heavy diet as the body is capable of digesting these highly nutritious foods. This also gives us the strength to do more strenuous yoga practices such as Ashtanga or Vinyasa Yoga. We can even safely include kriyas like Nauli, Agnisara, Mukhadhouti that generate heat in the body. It is a good season to build your capacity for inversions, backbends, arm Balances, and repetition of postures.

Winters are the only season when we can do our most intense practices, this level is called Balardha or Ardha Shakti. At this level, there can be sweating, respiratory rate and heart rate might increase slightly but we should not get breathless. As per Ayurveda, if we start breathing from the mouth, we’ve crossed our limit and our over exercising. In all other seasons, we should be practicing at even lesser intensities than this.

Spring (Mar-May) and Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Strength levels: Moderate

Autumn and Spring are the time for moderation and are very conducive for detox therapies. Spring is considered the best season for Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments. Yoga practice can be moderate to cleanse the body and the mind. Movements that help increase circulation facilitate lymphatic drainage, and warm the body are suitable at this time. Moderately paced Surya Namaskara, traditional Hatha Yoga, energizing breathing practices like Kapalabhati and Bhastrika can be practiced. It is an excellent season to focus on single leg balances, twists, movements that challenge stability and holding postures for the longer duration instead of often repeating them.

Summer (May-Jul) and Rainy (Jul-Sep)
Strength levels: Weak

Ayurveda recommends minimum exertion in these months. Gentle Yoga practices that do not overheat the body but have a rejuvenating effect are useful. Practices that cool or relax the body and mind like Bhramari, Moon salutations, equal breathing, and all types of joint rotations (Sukshma Vyayama) should be preferred. Focus on movements that feel good without tiring yourself out. This is an excellent season to experiment with using various Yoga props like chairs, blocks, and belts to deepen your practice. These are good months for working on forward bends, side bends, and relaxing breathing practices.

This is a simple overview of how seasonality can influence our lifestyle. There are multiple layers that need to be added to this such as variability in different levels of strength and stamina, our unique Ayurvedic Personality Types as well as our present health condition and mental state – all of these need to be put in perspective before choosing the best way forward. Which is why it is important first to understand the concepts of Ayurveda and to then also listen to our intuition for guidance. This journey can also be facilitated by an Ayurveda specialist.