Spring Seasonal Practices
Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga that literally translates to ‘science of life’ or ‘life knowledge’ and is founded in cultivating balance, and enabling each person’s internal environment (the body and mind) to work harmoniously with their external environment as they evolve. Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and activating energy. As we shift into a new season, we look to align our rhythms with the changes in nature to harmonise the spring energies within and around us.
Understanding Spring in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, each season is associated with a specific dosha, or energy type. Spring is the season of Kapha, characterized by the elements of earth and water - Kapha energy is heavy, slow, and cool, which can lead to feelings of lethargy, congestion, and sluggish digestion if not properly balanced. To counteract these tendencies, Ayurvedic practices for spring focus on lightening, cleansing, and invigorating the body and mind.
Ayurvedic Practices for Spring
Food // Diet:
Favor Light and Warm Foods: Incorporate more bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes into your diet. These flavours help to reduce Kapha and stimulate digestion. Think leafy greens, green beans, lemon, lettuces, chilli, garlic, legumes, radishes, and berries. spicy herbs, and warming spices like ginger, cayenne pepper and black pepper.
Embrace Seasonal Vegetables: Enjoy the abundance of fresh spring vegetables like asparagus, peas, and sprouts. These foods are naturally detoxifying and help to cleanse the body of accumulated winter toxins.
Stay Hydrated: Drink warm water or herbal teas to support digestion and flush out impurities.
Daily Routine:
Rise Early: Waking up early can help you avoid the lethargy and heaviness associated with sleeping in. Aim to rise before 6 AM and watch the sunrise if possible.
Dry Brushing: This simple practice stimulates lymphatic drainage, exfoliates the skin, and invigorates the body. Use a natural bristle brush and gently brush your skin towards your heart before showering.
Oil Pulling: Swish a tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil in your mouth for 10-15 minutes each morning. This ancient practice helps to detoxify the body and improve oral health - this also helps get the teeth nice and white!
Cleansing Practices:
Spring Cleanse: Consider a gentle Ayurvedic cleanse to reset your digestive system. This could includes a few days of a mono-diet of kitchari (a simple dish of rice and mung beans), herbal teas, and light soups to help the digestive system reset.
Tongue Scraping: The Morning practice of clearing the layer of toxins and plague that build up on the tongue overnight using a (traditionally cooper) tongue scraper - available at most health food shops and online. First thing in the morning scrap the tongue back to front to remove the layer of build up to help the body detoxify.
Yogic Practices for Spring
Dynamic Asana Practice:
Energizing, Lymph moving Sequences: Focus on dynamic, flowing sequences that build heat and invigorate the body. Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) are perfect for this season.
Twists and Forward Folds: These poses help to detoxify the body and stimulate digestion. Try Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose) and Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend).
Heart-Opening Poses: Spring is a time of renewal and opening. Incorporate heart-opening poses like Ustrasana (Camel Pose), Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose), and Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) to embrace the energy of growth and expansion.
Pranayama (Breathing Exercises):
Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath): This powerful breathing technique energizes the body, clears the mind, and helps to reduce Kapha.
Bhastrika (Bellows Breath): Another energizing practice, Bhastrika increases internal heat and stimulates the metabolism.
These Ayurvedic and yogic practices help align with the vibrant energy of spring and support your body and mind through this season of renewal. Remember, the key to seasonal wellness is to listen to your body and make adjustments that feel right for you.