FIG Bites

July 2026: Celebration

Welcome to July!

This month's theme is "Celebration". When I hear the word Celebration, my mind goes to Kool & the Gang and their banger song, "Celebrate Good Times, Come On!"

America celebrated 250 years this month and everyday is a celebration of living an amazing life.

Summer is in full swing and each day the sun rises early with the birdsong and sets late.

I completed my pilgrimage from Sarria to Santiago, Spain last month and it was surreal to be on the same route that pilgrims have travelled for 100s of years.

Hopefully you're having an amazing summer so far - taking in each day and living it to the fullest <3

Healthy Habit

Slow down and savor each moment of your summertime.

Here's my favorite song to listen to as a reminder to slow down.

Slow Down

Scott Orr

PREVIEW

Seasonal Support: Slow Down

Stay in the shade, sip cool liquids, nourish yourself with foods that replenish your fluids, soothe your nervous system, and help you relax.

Here are some foods* that help you stay cool (and maybe drool) as you settle into a slow rhythm.

🥥 Coconut for its cooling, replenishing nourishment and signature summer radiance.

🍉 Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew to restore your hydration on hot days.

❤️ Pomegranates for their classic Pitta-balancing sweetness and cooling qualities.

🌿 Cilantro to help cool any excess heat and gently support your liver.

🥒 Zucchini and green beans for light, easy-to-digest summer meals.

🌱 Bean sprouts and mung beans to gently cleanse while still deeply nourishing your body.

🍚 Basmati rice and millet, two beautifully light grains that pair perfectly with fresh summer vegetables and herbs.

🥕 Carrots for their natural sweetness and easy digestibility.

🥝 Kiwi with a squeeze of lime for brightness, refreshment and a little extra hydration.

🐟 Freshwater fish for grounding protein without weighing your body down.

🍠 Taro for steady, earthy nourishment that helps balance your excess heat.

Foods to Reduce**

Since summertime is considered to be fiery Pitta season in Ayurveda, here are some foods to reduce so you don't aggravate pitta (especially if Pitta is your dominant constitution).

Spicy foods
Coffee
Vinegar and other ferments (use balsamic vinegar in moderation)
Alcohol (spirits and red wine are the most aggravating)
Salty foods
Raw tomatoes (the acidity can aggravate pitta stomachs)
Raw onion
Red meat and egg yolks
Orange juice
Sour dairy products, such as packaged yogurt and hard cheeses
Heating foods, such as chilies, sour tomatoes, and honey
Anything fried or excessively oily

Alcohol-free cool summer drink: Cardamom Limeade

Together, cardamom and lime juice make an exceptionally cool and refreshing drink. According to the author, this beverage promises to calm irritable, overheated moods.

Also great for getting you through the classic afternoon slump!

Ingredients (serves 2)

3 cups water

1/4 cup lime juice (juice of 2-3 limes)

1/4 tsp cardamom powder

1 tbsp coconut sugar dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water

Mix together all of the ingredients in a small pitcher or 32-oz glass jar.

Serve in 2 tall glasses (optional to add 2 ice cubes per glass)

Stay cool!

Sources:

*Food recommendations courtesy of Shakti School

** Foods to avoid list from The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook

“Celebrate the success of others. High tide floats all ships.”

~ Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I was thinking about celebrating our own successes and then when I was cheering for someone else's achievements I found that I felt even better and more motivated to tackle my own ambitions. So I looked up the benefits of cheering on others and here's what I found.

Psychological and Interpersonal Benefits of Cheering on Others

Strengthened Relationships: Celebrating creates strong bonds, establishes trust, and fosters a deep sense of belonging.

Shift to an Abundance Mindset: Rejoicing with others helps you reject envy and reminds you that someone else’s victory doesn’t diminish your own potential.

Increased Motivation: Seeing others achieve their goals can act as a powerful catalyst, proving that your own aspirations are possible.

Mutual Goodwill: Builds a supportive network. When you lift others up, they are much more likely to reciprocate and support your future milestones.

So cheer others on, it's the gift that keeps on giving.

Breathwork Technique: Sheetkari Pranayama

In joy we smile, that

Takes away the pain

Brings new friends

Adds more beauty

Sheetkari Pranayama (Smiling Breath) will make you look like you are smiling during the inhalation.

The inhalation during this exercise has a wide range of spots where the inhaled air, due to the shear stress and force, can activate salivary stimulation in over 400 minor salivary glands located all over your mouth including your gums and tongue. Previous research has shown that these glands can produce numerous bioactive substances that could potentially work on several pathways including pain, immune response, and stress reduction.

How to Practice Sheetkari Pranayama >> (Smiling Breath)

Completely exhale through your nose and tuck in your tummy. Begin inhaling through your mouth imagining the air traveling from your root (aka perineum) and moving upwards; and open your lips wide to show your teeth - similar to a smiling action.

The inhalation goes in through the mouth, the teeth, and the gaps between the upper and lower jaws.

Pay close attention to the places where the air touches.
Also, notice the drop in the temperature and speed of the air.

Once your inhalation is complete, close your mouth and begin exhaling through your nostrils.

Perform a complete exhalation starting from the upper chest, moving downwards all the way to your tucked tummy.

At the end of your exhalation, begin your next inhalation through your mouth while smiling.

Source: Mind Your Breathing by Sundar Balasubramanian PH.D, C-IAYT

Benefits of Smiling Breath

Cools your body
Lowers blood pressure
Calms your nervous system
Improves digestion
Relieves stress
Enhances focus
Helps with sleep by acting as a natural relaxant

Cautions & Contraindications (things to consider)

Low Blood Pressure: This breathing style lowers blood pressure - an issue if you have untreated hypotension.
Respiratory Illnesses: Avoid this if you have asthma, bronchitis, a cold, cough, or a sore throat because drawing unheated air straight through the teeth can trigger spasms or trap mucus.
Dental Sensitivity: Drawing air across exposed teeth can hurt if you have sensitive teeth, damaged enamel, cavities, or dental work.
Digestive Issues: Skip it if you have chronic constipation since excess cooling can slow down your internal heat (Agni) and worsen sluggish digestion.
Cold Weather: Do not practice during winter or in cold, damp climates - the cooling effect disturbs your internal warmth.
Polluted Air: Bypassing the nose removes natural air filtration, making it unsafe to practice in dirty or smoggy environments. Practice this breath inside if air quality is a concern.

Book of the Month!

"There is only one way to learn... It's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey." I'm currently re-reading this classic and WOW! So much power is packed into this small book. Great inspiration for fulfilling your personal legend - your unique life purpose or dream that you are meant to fulfill - is told in this simple story. We all have our own unique personal legend. Have you fulfilled yours already?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

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Join Me at my Upcoming Events!

Yoga on the Mountain @ Bogus Basin: July 31 (6:30 - 7:30pm) and September 7 - Labor Day (10:00 - 11:00am)

FREE Classes will be held outside on the huge lawn in front of the Simplot Lodge. There's something magical about practicing yoga in nature, feeling the summer breeze, and smelling the fresh mountain air! Plus it's usually 20 degrees cooler than Boise.

Reiki Healing Yin @ True North: Tuesdays at 7:30pm

This class weaves in breathwork, slow movement, and meditation. Reiki healing is a Japanese energy healing found in alternative medicine. Crystal Moore leads this class and I'll be providing hands-on healing assistance, that encourages one's natural healing through the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual body.

Yin & Sound @ The Portal: Wednesdays at 7pm

We'll move through a gentle Yin practice, holding poses long enough to release deep layers of tension and give your body time to truly soften. After our slow movement, you'll be guided into a long, restful savasana with a sound bath. I've had students fall asleep during this portion of the class.

See you next month!

Angela