5 Ayurveda Practices for a Beautiful Spring

The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also. 

Harriet Ann Jacobs

Spring is a time when new life sprouts after winter’s hibernation. Ayurveda defines spring season as Kapha season, when water and earth elements awaken, begin to expand, flow and accumulate. During the spring, these elements heightened, even aggravated at times. As you can imagine what happens when earth and water comes together, things can get a bit messy.

When we are aggravated by the increasing Kapha elements, we can experience a number of symptoms that are commonly associated with spring, such as 

• excess congestion 
  
• allergies 
  
• lethargy 
  
• morning grogginess 
  
• achy joints 
  
• coated tongues 
  
• slow digestion
  

For a healthy and vibrant spring, we can add 5 Ayurveda Practices for a Beautiful Spring to our day. 

1. Clear your head

Whether you suffer from spring allergies or not, keeping your sinus passages clear and clean protects you against potential allergens, cold and flu bugs and promotes healthy, energy filled breathing. 

Ways to clear your head 

• Use a neti pot with a saline water solution to clear the mucous buildup and allergens from the sinuses 
  
• Protect your nasal passages by then using a Nasya Oil, such as SVA Tri-dosha or SVA Gymnema blend
  
• Practice pranayama breathing techniques, such as alternate nostril breathing, kapalabati and bhastrika 
  
• Apply Maha Marma Oil to protect the crown of your head 

2. Get Moving

As the weather changes from the frozen, cold tundra to wet, muddy soil, we may also feel a bit like we are stuck in the mud.   We may wake feeling a bit groggy or stiff, the winter weight may still be with us.  What can we do about it?  Get up and GET MOVING!

The early morning hours of 6-10 am are Kapha time and it is important to rise from bed before the earthy energies begin to accumulate, making you want to stay in bed, snuggled under the covers. Instead get up before the sun and get moving! 

Stimulating exercise in the morning is great to harness this heavy energy of the day.  A good sweat for 15-20 minutes is best. 

3. Eat for the Season

Our diet is a critical part of a happy and healthy Ayurvedic lifestyle.  Ayurveda focuses our food choices based on the six tastes – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent. One factor of how much of each taste to place on our plate is determined by the season. 

During Kapha season, this means Bitter, Astringents and Pungent tastes should have primary real estate on our plate.  These foods are create lightness and movement.  We want to enjoy the abundance of early greens, lighter proteins and warming spices.

 

Bitter Foods:  chards, dandelion leaves, arugala, spinach, bitter melon, kale, turmeric, cabbage

Astringent Foods: lentils, mung dahl beans, apples, pomegranate, sprouted greens, broccoli, cauliflower

Pungent Foods: chili peppers, ginger, black pepper, pippali, radishes, mustard

4. Lighten Up

As the flow of spring works through its course, you may wake up feeling heavy, groggy, lethargic and achy.  If this is you, it is time for opening up your energy channels and lightening up.  

Morning routines can really help get you feeling lighter and brighter.   Here is a great way to put a spring into your day.

• Clear your head – with practices above
  
• Dry brush your skin 
  
• Self oil massage
  

Dry brushing, known as garshana, is a daily technique for refreshing and lightening up your skin before an oil massage.  Daily garshana get the juices flowing and stimulates the lymphatic system, increases blood flow and releases toxins.  Dry brushing is done with silk gloves or natural bristled brushes. 

Following up with a self oil massage.  A kapha balancing massage oil is great for general daily use.  For specific conditions, whether it is dry itchy skin or sinus congestion, my favorite blends come from SVA/Chandika. Find your favorite blend today!

5. Spring Cleaning

On a day to day basis, our bodies are naturally cleansing and detoxifying. Albeit an uncomfortable topic, the discussion of daily bathroom habits are one key indicator of how well the body is naturally detoxifying. Constipation can be a struggle for many and from the Ayurvedic perspective, it is a real issue with allowing toxins to remain within us, further putrification and cause them to circulate throughout our body.  A classic Ayurvedic formula known for its detoxification and elimination qualities is Triphala.

However, sometimes we need to go a little deeper and rid ourselves of accumulated toxins. Ayurveda recommends performing a focused cleanse at the change of seasons, especially Spring . Our physical channels are expanding and unfreezing, which means any accumulated toxins are being released to begin flowing. We use cleansing practices such as home detox programs and panchakarma to ensure those free-flowing toxins are eliminated and unable to cause the symptoms that spring often brings.