Dinacharya Meets Ritucharya: Realigning with Nature’s Summer Wisdom

Jennifer Peck, RYT500, e-RYT200, YACEP, AHC, RM
May 28
5 min read

For the past twelve days, I’ve been in the thick of an upper respiratory virus—congested, achy, and completely knocked off my daily rhythm. At first, I saw it as a setback. But as I reflect, I realize it was something deeper: a clearing. A stirring. This spring, I felt called to dry brushing—something I don’t usually practice. I was oiling less, brushing more, stirring things up both physically and emotionally. And perhaps that was the routine of spring—to shake, to awaken, to unsettle what’s been quietly stuck. The absence of Dinacharya wasn’t failure; it was seasonal intelligence. Now, as summer approaches, I feel the invitation to shift again—not to simply “go back” to routine, but to soften into a new one. One that soothes rather than stirs. One aligned with Ritucharya—the seasonal flow that knows exactly what we need next.

The Spring Stirring: When Routine Gets Shaken on Purpose

*Taken during a quiet moment of healing—nature offers her medicine in the stillness. Even in the pause, there is beauty. Even in the clearing, there is wisdom.*

In Ayurveda, spring is a time of thawing, detoxifying, and moving accumulated Kapha—both physical and emotional. We often think of routine as something to hold tightly to, but sometimes the greatest wisdom comes when routine gets disrupted. This season, I was intuitively drawn to practices that mobilized what had been stagnant: dry brushing, breathwork, deep emotional reflection. And as uncomfortable as it was at times, it was exactly what was needed.

We often speak of Dinacharya as a daily anchor, but I’m learning that nature doesn’t move in perfect circles—she spirals. She cycles. She pauses. And sometimes, we are meant to as well.

Dinacharya is Ayurveda’s daily rhythm practice—anchoring your day with self-care rituals like oil massage, tongue scraping, warm water, and mindful meals. It provides stability, clarity, and connection—especially when life feels chaotic.

The discomfort, the pause, the "off-track" feeling—these are not signs of failure but invitations to shed what no longer serves.—she spirals. She cycles. She pauses. And sometimes, we are meant to as well. The discomfort, the pause, the "off-track" feeling—these are not signs of failure but invitations to shed what no longer serves.

Summer’s Arrival: What Ritucharya Teaches Us

Cooling, grounding, and vibrant—these summer gifts from the garden support the body’s natural rhythms.

Now we step into Pitta season: bright, hot, intense, and transformative. If spring was the great stirring, summer is the simmer. But too much heat—physically, mentally, or emotionally—can lead to burnout, inflammation, and agitation. That’s where Ritucharya, or seasonal routine, becomes our guide.

This is the season to:

Reduce screen time and give your eyes a break (eyes are governed by Pitta)
Lighten up on caffeine and alcohol, both of which stoke internal heat and tax the liver
Favor sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes: think rose, mint, cucumber, coconut, lime, aloe, and calendula, as well as juicy seasonal fruits like strawberries and blueberries, and vegetables like zucchini, summer squash, asparagus, and leafy greens. These foods help cool the system, support liver function, and align beautifully with the energy of summer.
Trade hot yoga and intense exercise for restorative or yin practices
Spend time near water—in nature, by a lake, in the moonlight

One of my favorite summer rituals is creating a simple Ayurvedic Gatorade: a chilled infusion of rose petals, calendula blossoms, a few fennel seeds, a pinch of pink salt, and just a touch of cane sugar. It soothes, hydrates, and refreshes the system beautifully. You can also experiment with other herbs and flowers like mint, dandelion, hibiscus, or passionflower—each bringing its own unique energetics to the mix. Let your intuition and the garden guide you.

Before we dive into these practices, I also want to extend a heartfelt invitation to my Summer Solstice Serenity Retreat—a beautiful opportunity to immerse yourself in the wisdom of summer. This gathering is designed to help you experience and learn more about seasonal practices, foods, and rhythms. We’ll likely take a peaceful walk through my garden, share a nourishing meal, and explore grounding yoga and breathwork together.

Last call for the early bird special of $108—ends May 31st. I encourage you to reserve your spot early, as space is limited and this is such a meaningful way to welcome the summer season together.

Summer Solstice Serenity Retreat

June 21, 2025, 2:00 – 7:00 PM|Treehouse Studio

Summer Rituals to Reclaim Your Center

As I gently return to my rhythm, I’m not rushing to reinstate every practice at once. I’m beginning with what my body and heart are calling for. If you’re also feeling the pull to ground into the season, here are a few invitations:

Summer Abhyanga & Vishesh treatments using cooling organic coconut oil: deeply soothing to the nervous system and Pitta pacifying. I’m offering these through August 31st for $85 (regularly $100). Use coupon codes 2025SUMMER-VISHESH and/or 2025SUMMER-ABHY when booking. I encourage booking early—consider scheduling one session each month throughout the summer to truly support your seasonal transition. You’re welcome to book all your summer sessions now and simply pay at each appointment. Committing to this kind of regular care can be a beautiful way to honor your body’s needs in the heat of the season.

Reiki Restorative Yoga: our next gatherings are June 13th, July 18th, and August 15th from 6:30–8pm. These are deeply restful evenings of gentle movement, restorative poses, Reiki healing, and summer ease. I encourage early sign-ups as space is limited, and committing to rest—especially during the heat of summer—can be one of the most nourishing gifts we offer ourselves.
Outdoor Yoga Classes: as weather allows, we’ll move our weekly classes outside to connect with the elements, especially the grounding qualities of earth and water. Weekly class times are Mondays at 8AM & 6PM, and Fridays at 8:30AM. As we shift into summer, it's a beautiful time to recommit to your practice. Our summer sessions will include cooling breathwork, longer holds, and a yin-like quality—ideal for balancing the heat of the season.

Book Reiki Restore or Weekly Classes here:

The Seasonal Return

Aligning with the moon—soft, steady, and reflective. The season calls us home to ourselves.

Summer is also a time to align with the moon—its soft, reflective light offering the perfect contrast to Pitta’s sharp fire. Consider incorporating moon bathing into your evening rituals: sit outside under the moonlight, take a gentle walk, or simply rest with the windows open and let the moonlight touch your skin. This cooling, contemplative practice soothes the nervous system and invites deeper connection with your inner rhythm.

Coming back to routine doesn’t mean picking up where we left off. It means returning to ourselves—again and again—with compassion. Ayurveda teaches us that we are nature, and our practices should reflect her pace, her changes, her wisdom.

If you’re unsure where to begin or how to adjust your daily and seasonal routine, I’m here to help. Reach out anytime for a personalized session or simply a supportive chat.