The fundamental principles of Ayurveda is that we are all part of nature and thus made up of combinations of the five elements, space, ether, fire, earth, and water.

These elements combine in all of us as three groups of energies called doshas. This is called the Tri Dosha concept.

Vata dosha – Space and Ether elements responsible for movement

Pitta dosha – Fire and Water elements responsible for digestion

Kapha – Earth and Water elements responsible for stability

Each of the seasons also correspond to a specific dosha – summer to pitta [fire], autumn to vata [wind], and winter / spring to kapha [ earth/water].

As with the seasonal change, we undergo changes in the balance of doshas in our bodies in different seasons. In summer we accumulate more pitta [ heat energy], in autumn more vata [wind energy] and in winter /spring more kapha [water/ earth energy].

If these changes become excessive, we can feel out of balance, and this can lead to dis-ease over time.

The Principles of Ayurveda teaches us to live-in tune with each season to avoid this happening. It allows us to remain balanced by incorporating specific changes in diet, daily routines, and life according to seasons.

Winter to Spring season change

In this season change, we move from one kapha dosha [ earth and water] to another. From Winter, the earth element to Spring, the water element. In Nature, this manifests as thawing of the ice into water.

To help us adjust we need to focus on light diet or mild fasting and detoxification routines. This is a similar concept to Lent in Christian teachings or “spring cleaning” your body after the long winter. This avoids accumulating too much Kapha in our system, which will cause sluggish digestion, weight gain, congestion and coughs and colds. Kapha excess can also make us lethargic and demotivated, and this can lead to depression.

Bitter, astringent, and pungent foods and drinks with heating spices help to achieve kick start the body’s digestion to energise us into getting more active as Spring beckons.

Earlier morning starts with lengthening days, as well as early morning exercise also reduce this risk of kapha imbalance.

Summer Season

In summer season pitta dosha is more prominent in our bodies which is characterised by qualities of heat, lightness, and sourness amongst others.

If pitta qualities become excessive in our bodies, we can get skin rashes and inflammatory related conditions as well as reflux, heartburn symptoms.

To balance pitta dosha excess we need to focus foods with on opposite type qualities and avoid any foods with similar qualities to pitta. Tastes which balance pitta are sweet, bitter, and astringent.

Seasonal summer fruits which are sweet are especially good. Think of how gorging on ripe watermelon makes you feel on a hot summer’s day!

Summer to Autumn season change

From summer to autumn, we enter the Vata dosha time of year.

Vata dosha qualities are dry, cold and mobile and we can balance it by focussing on opposite qualities in our food and drink and daily habits and routines.

Autumn is characterised by cooler temperatures and increased winds, and changeable weather. The autumn season and the weather make Vata dosha more prominent in our bodies.

This can manifest as anxiety, indecision, skin symptoms, irregular digestion and changes in bowel habit amongst others.

To balance this tendency, we need to focus on Vata balancing foods. Foods with sweet, salty and sours taste, heavier grounding foods such as root vegetables, stews, apple and pumpkin pies. Halloween festival, at the end of harvest time is a pre-Christian rite when we indulged in such foods before the coming of winter.

Regular routine and calming exercise, yoga and meditation reduce the Vata dosha’s movement and slightly frenetic qualities and prepare us for winter season. Developing a good sleep hygiene routine is particularly important at this time of year with the reduced daylight and longer nights.

And so, to conclude …!

In our modern fast paced world with changing dietary habits and all year-round availability of non-seasonal foods, we are increasingly more likely to become unbalanced at the change of seasons.

This is also happening at other times during the year, because of changes in our climate and unpredictable weather.

Ayurveda can help you to rebalance yourself with nature and the seasons, by changing your diet, daily habits, and lifestyles.

This is what I believe and practice, and working together with you, I can help you achieve.

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If you have any questions or would like to book a 15 minute discovery call, please contact

Dr. Oscar O’Duchon.

Book a consultation with Oscar and see how you can balance your body and mind and improve your overall health using Ayurveda principles and practice to change your life.

The Principles of Ayurveda & how it helps us live in tune with ourselves, nature & the seasons | Anam Ayurveda 2023