Transitioning into Spring: Ayurveda Self-Care Practices for the Spring Season

The birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming as Mother Nature re-awakens from her winter slumber - Spring is officially here! With the arrival of Spring, in all her beauty and glory, also comes the arrival of seasonal allergies, mental sluggishness, and digestive disturbances for many of us as our bodies try to adapt to the seasonal transition. According to Ayurveda, yoga’s sister science, Spring is a time of Kapha descent. Kapha is a dosha, or ayurvedic constitution, characterized by qualities of wet, cold, and heavy, much like snow melting down a mountaintop. According to Ayurveda, when these qualities become predominant in nature, they also become predominant in our body since we are made up of the same five elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth). This shows up for us as chest congestion, sinus drainage, mental heaviness, and feeling sluggish. Fortunately, Ayurveda, being yoga’s wise older sister, gives us a wide array of simple techniques to counter these effects and remain balanced through the Spring season:
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• Food. Begin to shift from eating heavier winter foods, such as root vegetables, to lighter spring foods such as legumes, salads, and fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. Add warm spices to your cooking, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and turmeric.
• Exercise. Physical activity is kapha-pacifying. Generally, a more active yoga asana practice such as vinyasa is beneficial at this time of year for bringing movement back into the body. Heart-opening yoga poses, such as backbends, are also helpful in the Spring to open up through the chest and upper body, relieving any congestion in these areas.
• Drink tea. Sipping on warm tea throughout the day stokes the digestive fire, awakening our Agni, which is the key to overall wellness in Ayurveda. Tulsi (Organic India makes a great variety of Tulsi teas!) or lemon-ginger-honey tea are especially recommended this season.
• Meditate. As we begin to lighten up physically, we also need to lighten up mentally and emotionally. Apply the principles of “Spring Cleaning” to the mind by letting go of all that no longer serves you and letting go of all thoughts that weight you down. Meditation is a great tool for this. If you need a little help getting started, watch my loving kindness guided meditation video here.
• Oil. Oils are a big part of Ayurveda self-care. Daily neti pot (cleansing of the nostrils), followed by nasya oil (oil applied to the nares) is particularly helpful in preventing seasonal allergy symptoms and maintaining our immunity through the Spring. Daily self-massage (abhyanga) with dosha-specific oil allows for a deep cleansing and detoxificiation of deeper tissues (dhatus).
• Pancha Karma. Spring and Fall are the ideal times to undergo a pancha karma. Pancha karma is a cornerstone ayurvedic practice that involves a deep, yet gentle, cleanse of our entire system – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It resets our entire system, bringing us to the best version of ourselves to move forward in the season. This is a program that should be done with the guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner.

Well, that’s it folks! You now have a toolbox of Ayurvedic goodies to ease you into Spring. For more specific recommendations, contact me to schedule your very own personalized Ayurveda Lifestyle Session.
Happy Spring!

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