FIG Bites

June 2026: Tradition

Welcome to June!

This month's theme is "Tradition". When I hear the work Tradition, my mind goes to "The Fiddler on the Roof" and the song "Tradition". Some traditions help us keep our ties to our culture and our balance AND some traditions are outdated and are meant to be broken.

Coming up this month is the summer solstice on June 21 and my Celtic heritage historically celebrated the summer solstice—often called Alban Hefin (Light of the Shore) or Midsummer—with hilltop bonfires, sacred well visits, and the gathering of magical herbs.

I'll be celebrating by practicing a separate tradition: a pilgrimage from Sarria to Santiago, Spain. The Sarria to Santiago route has been a well-traveled Christian pilgrimage and vital commercial path for well over 1,000 years. It comprises the final 114 kilometers of the famous Camino Francés, which was established as a major route following the discovery of Saint James the Apostle's remains in the 9th century.

Think of the traditions you regularly celebrate. Do you know their origins? Do these traditions still work for you? Are there any new traditions you'd like to try?

Healthy Habit

Hot time in the summer time!

Seasonal Support: Cooling Foods, Herbs, and Drinks

Keep cooling foods, herbs, and drinks in mind if you're feeling the heat as we move into Pitta season. Qualities of Pitta are fire and water.

Our foods and drink can contribute to our emotions and attitudes.

Example: Let's say you're eating spicy foods, drinking your summer alcohol drink of choice, it's hot outside, and you're staying up late because it's still light out (past 10pm). The chances of getting into an argument or disagreement are VERY high. In the past, I experienced being on the receiving end of someone's Pitta disaster and it wasn't a pleasant experience.

A rule I learned from one of my teachers: never get into a serious discussion with someone (e.g., discussing relationship status) after 10pm especially during Pitta season. Evening Pitta time is 10pm - 2am.

Cooling Foods

Cucumbers — reduces internal heat, inflammation, and excess stomach acid. Hydrating, supports blood purification, and calms your nervous system. If you have a tough time digesting cucumbers, try them with salt + pepper or drink cucumber water instead.
Watermelon — rich in beta-carotene and water, watermelon clears internal heat and nourishes your bodily tissues. Eat watermelon by itself and avoid pairing it with heavier foods, proteins or starches.
Lime — digestive stimulant and natural alkalizer that has a cooling effect on your body and soothes inflammation. Preferred over lemon in hot climates.

Cooling Herbs

Cilantro — bright and cleansing, wonderful for supporting your digestion and reducing heat.
Fennel — cooling energy that is a primary tool for soothing your GI tract, calming your mind, and supporting metabolic toxins' elimination.
Mint — prized cooling herb that kindles your digestive fire, balances excess fiery Pitta, and relieves gas or indigestion. Also soothes your respiratory tract, calms your nervous system, and clears physical + mental stagnation.

Cooling Drinks

Coconut water — coconut water replaces your body's fluid loss and keeps you hydrated during intense heat.
Aloe Juice (inner filet) — aloe is cooling to your gut and helps reduce acid reflux. Blend with mint if the aloe is too bitter.
Mango Juice — mango is known to promote the functioning and health of your digestive system + keeps your immune system healthy. Add water if the mixture is too dense.

Stay cool!

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like there's nobody listening, and live like it's heaven on earth.”

~ William W. Purkey

William W. Purkey was a Professor Emeritus of Counselor Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and he coined the full four-part phrase to encourage people to drop their emotional guards, overcome self-consciousness, and live authentically.

You've probably heard some or all of the above quote, but have you tried it out? At least the dancing part?

Dancing is a big part of summer solstice, especially dancing with a group of other people.

Our bodies are made to move to the rhythm and beat of music and there are many benefits too.

Dancing with others builds social connection and releases bonding hormones like oxytocin. It improves your mood and mental well-being through shared rhythm, enhances empathy by activating mirror neurons, and boosts cognitive skills and decision-making through physical teamwork.

Sometime this month, try dancing with others and see how you feel!

Breathwork Technique: Sitali & Sitkari Pranayama

Sitali Pranayama (Cooling Breath) and Sitkari Pranayama (Hissing Breath) are two amazing breaths to use in the summertime in order to cool your body and cool your mind.

When it's hot outside, pay attention to your emotions. Sometimes the heat in our physical body affects our emotional body which can lead to lower patience and higher risk of emotional outbursts. Or maybe you're a cool cucumber and the heat doesn't affect you - lucky you!

The benefits of these two breaths are the same.

The difference between these two breaths: Sitali pranayama requires you to have the ability to curl your tongue. Sitkari pranayama is the option for you if you don't have the capability to curl your tongue due to fun genetics.

How to Practice Sitali Pranayama >> (Cooling Breath, with curled tongue)

Here is a great, short video (~3 minutes) that walks you through how to practice Sitali Pranayama.

How to Practice Sitkari Pranayama >> (Hissing Breath, with flat tongue)

Here is a great, short video (~3 minutes) that walks you through how to practice Sitkari Pranayama.

Benefits of both Breaths

Cools your body, lowers inflammation, and excess heat that could occur from hot outside temperatures or hot flashes in your body
Reduces blood pressure and acid in your stomach
Stimulates muscles relaxation, mental tranquility, and can help cool your mind for sleep
Cools hot emotions like anger, irritability, and impatience

Cautions & Contraindications (when NOT to practice this breath)

If you have extremely low or high blood pressure, respiratory disorders, chronic constipation, or excess mucous
If it’s the winter season, with cold temperature and/or snowy outside

Book of the Month!

I love reading books by ambitious women because it's so inspiring! Shellye's story blew my mind because she had her life plan figured out from when she was a child. She knew what she was going to do, how she was going to get there, and even how many children she would have and their genders. As a black woman in a technology world, she ran into a number of barriers to reach her goals, but her focus and steadfast nature helped her break through each obstacle.

Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms by Shellye Archambeau

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Join Me at my Upcoming Events!

Yoga on the Mountain @ Bogus Basin: July 3 (6:30 - 7:30pm), July 31 (6:30 - 7:30pm), and September 7 (10:00 - 11:00am)

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!

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