Spring for Vata-Pitta-Kapha

 

As a tridoshic type, you have the strengths of all three doshas to support you this spring. Your primary focus will be on balancing kapha and, secondarily, pitta, because vata will be largely calmed by the spring season.

The following modifications to a typical springtime routine are designed specifically to support your constitution. If you are not familiar with the basic tenets of a traditional springtime routine, you might benefit from first reading Banyan's more general Ayurvedic Guide to Spring.

You may also find it helpful to read the vata, pitta, and kapha recommendations for tips on how to support each of the three doshas independently.

With some focused inner awareness, you can adapt your habits on a day-to-day basis, as your local climate or your personal needs change through the season.

Foods to Favor

• On the whole, tridoshic types can follow the general spring dietary recommendations, being careful not to inundate your body with excess heat, which would disturb pitta—especially as the weather warms.
• Favor tridoshic spring foods like berries, soaked prunes, soaked raisins, asparagus, cooked carrots, green beans, leeks, cooked onion, and rutabaga. 
• Also favor amaranth, basmati rice, quinoa, mung beans, cottage cheese, ghee, sunflower oil, goat’s milk, egg whites, freshwater fish, shrimp, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.

Acceptable Seasonal Indulgences

Treats that are well suited to spring include lighter, drier, more heating foods than might otherwise be tolerated. An occasional serving of raw fruits, vegetables, or salad (with an oily dressing and pungent spices) can be refreshing.

Spring is also a fabulous time of year to enjoy light, fruit-based treats like baked apples, delectable prune bars, or fruit crumble. And you might be able to get away with an occasional green tea, black tea, or—on especially heavy and wet days—the rare cup of coffee or espresso.

Foods to Minimize

• Avoid cold, iced, and frozen foods and drinks.
• Also avoid processed foods and leftovers, which are especially likely to disturb the digestive fire during the spring months and should be avoided as much as possible.
• Do your best to become aware of your eating habits and of the effect that various foods have on you.
• Be on the lookout for signs of excess vata (gas, bloating, anxious feelings), excess pitta (acidity, irritability), and excess kapha (lethargy, brain fog), and adjust your diet as needed to correct any manifestations of imbalance.

Lifestyle Adjustments

The spring is a great time to focus on cultivating a sense of renewal and rebirth—in whatever way works for you. The heaviness of the season is beautifully offset by inviting laughter, fun, and play into our lives. The following recommendations will help you make the most of this season.

• The general spring lifestyle recommendations are typically fine for tridoshic types, as long as you are aware of the few practices that are potentially aggravating to pitta—especially later in the spring, as the weather warms.
• Guard against overheating during practices. These can include self-massage with oil, a dry rub or herbal powder massage, yoga, exercise, or sitting in the sauna.
• It may also be important to balance the active, stimulation of a spring lifestyle with adequate rest and relaxation, so as not to overburden vata.