The magic of monsoon

Taking care of our bodies has become significant, especially during the times we’re sailing through. Ira Trivedi shares what she integrates into her routine as soon as the monsoon arrives to help her well-being during the season and into the seasons that follow

There is always something about monsoon and petrichor that invokes mystique. After a blazing summer, when the clouds burst, it is as if the Gods have blessed us with more than just water — it feels as if they have blessed us with a new lease of life.

For me the monsoon brings with it a renewed sense of well-being. I can finally turn off the drying AC and be outside without feeling as if I’m about to get a heat stroke. This simple change can make a marked difference in personal yoga practice. But there are a few pit-falls that the monsoon brings with it as well. As per Ayurveda, this is the season to watch out for — it when infection thrives, and Ayurveda encourages us to pay special attention to self-care. In fact, Ayurveda prescribes monsoon as the best time for undergoing their signature “Panchakarma” treatment, where the body goes through an intense detox.

Here are a few things that I integrate into my routine as soon as the monsoon arrives, and over the years I have seen that these help my well-being during the monsoon and into the seasons that follow.

Let’s begin with my nightly ritual. I make my own massage oil by combining organic sesame oil with my favourite essential oils — at the moment this is lavender, which is also great for sound sleep. I rub this oil over my body for five minutes making sure to massage the joints — the area behind my neck, behind my knees, my ankles and my wrists.