Spring Forward
3 easy steps to embracing the seasonal shift through Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, spring marks the beginning of the new year, a time when we embrace the sacred beginning – a time pregnant with the allure of fresh starts and the spirit of renewal and growth after the dormancy of winter.
Spring is associated with the Kapha dosha, characterized by the merging of water and earth energies. During this season, the warmth of the sun melts away snow while rains dampen the earth, creating a sense of heaviness and density.
The earth element of Kapha symbolizes stability and serves as a foundation for growth, nourishment, and flourishing. Emotionally, Kapha types are deeply connected, fostering lifelong friendships and steadfast relationships. However, imbalances may manifest as clinging to relationships, experiencing heavy emotions, or dwelling in the past.
Physically, Kapha tends to reside in the chest, hello; shallow breathing, persistent phlegmy coughs, and emotional weightiness.
Individuals with a predominant Kapha constitution may find these symptoms exacerbated during this season. Meanwhile, the fiery essence of Pitta may welcome the call to rest, while the airy Vata dominant individuals might experience heightened mental activity but struggle to act upon their inspirations.
Regardless of your Ayurvedic constitution, you are still a microcosm of the world around you. Sluggishness and mental stagnation is ripe during this time of year. Traditionally, spring is a period for cleansing, ranging from a simple one-day reset to a more rigorous panchakarma regimen. A Kapha-balancing diet emphasizes light, warm, spicy, and slightly drying foods. What does that look like on your plate you ask? Greens and beans my friends, greens and beans (and if your pitta is balance, grab your jar or chili flakes too)
Spring invites us to embrace rituals centered around fire, honoring its transformative power to manifest abundance and beauty from the seeds of potential both within us and around us. May this season bring you balance and ease as you embark on your journey of renewal.
3 Tips to help you spring forward with the wisdom of Ayurveda
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One of the main tenants of Ayurveda is to create routines, rhythms and rituals. This the first thing I work on with clients because it sets the stage for everything else. As we move into a time of longer days and shorter nights, we may be temped to stay up later. According to Ayurveda we naturally change and shift with the season and with day. Following the Doshic clock the Kapha time of day is 6-10. Lean into this energy by trying to wake before 6am to counter Kapha’s ability to keep us sluggish and slow to start. Likewise, lean into the 6pm-10pm kapha time to slow down and relax into your evening routine.
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Kapha can manifest in many forms in the body depending on how much Kapha you personally hold in your constitution. Now is a good time to relook at your diet and see where you might make some lighter swaps. Maybe that sweetly spiced oatmeal in the morning transforms into quinoa and kale. Because Kapha has the tendency to “hold on” it creates mass. The counter to this is consuming foods that stoke the agni ( digestive fire) and help burn off any accumulated toxins held in the tissues. This means, as long as you don’t have a huge pitta imbalance, now is the time to start adding those chili flakes to your greens and embracing the heat.
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Because Kapha is the combination of earth energy and water energy mixed together we end up with a heavy, dense, coldness. As we know in Ayurveda, Like increased like and the opposite heals. Creating heat and inducing a sweat helps to circulate the blood and lymph and moves excess kapha away from the lungs ( Kaphas vacation home where it likes to live during this season) As much as I love a good Yin Yoga class, this is the time of year when a brisk walk, a heated flow class or even dry brushing the skin before a shower is the optimal medicine.