Spring is an auspicious time for transitioning, to change directions or begin a new path course! Let's talk about why and how....
Before I get into things, let's talk about
The 'Why'.
If you are new here, or you don't remember much from last Springs' Living In Rhythm education, please do review:
1. How Toxins Accumulate: Mind & Body (quick read) to quickly refresh yourself on the Ayurvedic philosophy surrounding toxins and manifestation of disease and imbalance.
2. Spring Ritual: Entering the Season of Rebirth and Growth to understand WHY Spring is the prime time for cleansing and detoxing. There's an option for listening 🎧 to this one, just click the link.
I'm going to dive right in to this Spring's recommendations and focus, so please do establish the foundations of Living In Rhythm by visiting the links above before reading on.
Remember our discussion from our Late Winter Wellness Guide? We talked about the increase of moisture as we transition into Spring. This increase in moisture is represented by Kapha Dosha (Earth + Water), and as we continue into the beginning of Spring, enjoying Spring showers or more snow for alot of you guys, Kapha continues to accumulate and increase both in Nature, in the body and in the mind. Since the days are getting a little longer, we are receiving more Sunlight causing Winter accumulations to melt away both in the body and in Nature, which also contributes to the increase in Kapha.
So what does this mean? And how can we counterbalance this watery/earthy mud like accumulation to prevent imbalances commonly known to arrive around this time (allergies, sluggish digestion, feeling of heaviness or low energy when rested)?
That's easy....We need to drain what's melting! We need to clear out the excess fat, mucus and toxins that may have accumulated over the Winter. This accumulation may be increasing as we enter into Spring due to the 'melting' of Winter + showers of Spring.
That is WHY Spring is an essential time for cleansing and detoxifying. As we enter into this season of rebirth and renewal, we want a clean slate for that rebirth, for seed planting and crop planning. Just like us gardeners are clearing out Winters harvest and amending the soil, adding nutrients and addressing depletion, clearing out weeds and other interruptors of an abundant crop, the same is done with the mind and body.
The 'How'.
We facilitate draining by stimulating the lymphatic system (our mainline for detoxification), and by identifying and minimizing certain foods that may be aggravating or adding to these melting accumulations in the body and mind. Some signs that you may need some draining or cleansing:
Unstable moods
Stiffness/pain in the body/joints
Mental fatigue or fog
Low energy when rested/frequent need for naps
Lack of appetite/sluggish digestion
We can facilitate this lymphatic draining through certain food choices and routine practices. Since we are wanting to counterbalance the Earth and Water element, we need to introduce it's opposites, Fire, Air and Ether into our diet and routines, while moderating the intake of Earth and Water qualities. This Fire element is represented by Pitta Dosha, Air and Ether represented by Vata Dosha.
Vata : Air, Ether/Space, Light, Dry, Rough, Cold, Mobile, Subtle, Clear
Vata is the energy of movement, the most mobile of the Doshas, Vata governs the nervous system, intellect, elimination, and all things related to movement.
Pitta: 🔥Fire, Water, Hot, Mobile, Light, Sharp, Dry,
Pitta is the energy of transformation, the principle of fire governs metabolism and digestion helping us digest everything we take in such as food, thoughts, emotions, and sensory input. This energy represents discernment and intelligence.
Please take your free Dosha Quiz if you have not, it'll really help you to understand and apply the tips and practices we suggest here.
Adding these qualities into our food and consciousness is what encourages the body's natural cleansing system this time of the year.
Let's pause for a recap:
Kapha's (Spring 💐) qualities/elements:
Earth & Water: Heavy, Dull, Damp, Cool, Dense, Dark, Slow, Sticky, Stable, Cloudy
Kapha is the energy of stability, structure and lubrication. Kapha governs our body's structure and water systems, and represents the building-up aspects of the body (anabolism) and creating or repairing new cells.
Signs of Kapha imbalance in Spring:
The elements above, when out of balance, can show up as loss of appetite, sluggish digestion, water retention, weight gain, a heavy mind, depression, coldness (can be present in body or mind), lethargy, lackluster, lack of motivation, sinus or chest congestion (especially in the morning) , seasonal allergies.
The tips I provide in this "Living In Rhythm" blog series are general, meaning they are most applicable for the fairly healthy individual who mostly experiences acute or seasonal imbalances. For those dealing with long standing chronic issues or hard to get rid of imbalances, I recommend considering personalized guidance. Every Spring I open up enrollment to our 28 Day Spring Renewal Detox package. This can be done virtually and I invite you to check it out here!
This is a gentle cleanse and guide for beginners and curated to your Dosha and wellness goals. The package comes with a healing plan for the entire season of Spring, an Ayurvedic Wellness Herbal Kit to get you started with discounts on refills, and a 28 day meal plan based on your Ayurvedic assessment!
So, let's see what it looks like to invite more Fire, Air and Ether into our lifestyle and consciousness....
Foods/Tastes
Invite more:
TASTES: Bitter, Astringent, Pungent
Pungent spices like ginger, black pepper, lemon and turmeric
Astringent fruits like apples, pears, grapefruits, berries, dried cherries, raisins, and prunes
Bitter veggies like arugula, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, dandelion greens, and asparagus
Lean proteins like beans, lentils, egg whites, and white meat for meat eaters (which is totally fine in this space, fyi).
Incorporate light, cleansing and warm freshly cooked foods into your diet with raw greens and sprouts, warm grains, legumes, pungent spices, bitter veggies, astringent fruits and herbs, room temp or hot beverages (please don't with the cold smoothies right now) like herbal teas, chai's, dandelion, nettle, or black tea in small amounts. I've created Shakti Chai specifically for this season and for Women, so don't forget to sign up for notification for when "Shakti Chai" is ready to ship.
You can do that here!
Reduce:
Dairy, fatty meats, salt, roasted nuts, salt (because water retention remember, kasha, water then salt, ok Bye)
Produce not in season.
Anything cold, ice cream, frozen foods, smoothies, cold beverages
Sweet, heavy fruits like banana, figs and dates (Vatas can still have their dates, ok Bye)
Sugar, fried foods, overly oily or fatty foods
Lifestyle/Routines
Dry Brushing (garshana)
A Springtime MUST! An Ayurvedic practice that stimulates lymphatic drainage using a natural bristle brush or raw silk glove to remove dead skin and activate your draining system. Start at your feet and work your way upwards (towards the heart), using gentle pressure and long strokes with repetition making sure to exfoliate and stimulate the entire body, especially armpits, chest, inner thighs and groin (and anywhere else stubborn fat tissue likes to hang out).
Perform for 3-5 minutes, daily to once a week, before shower or self oil massage.
This is a really beneficial practice for Kapha imbalances such as water retention and weight gain. Please skip dry brushing in the mornings if /when Vata is high and focus on oil massaging.
Oil Massaging (Abhyanga)
Hopefully you picked this routine up back in Fall/Winter when it was essential, please continue. Incase you are new here:
Abhyanga is the ultimate self-care practice as it is nourishing to the tissues, soothes the nervous system, calms inflammation, stimulates the lymph and protects the aura. It's a very powerful practice and should be part of your daily routine all seasons and just switching out the type of oil based on your Dosha and the season. I'll recommend an overall great oil choice for this season below, but also know ayurvedic oils are herbal infused and have medicinal properties as well meaning there are also better oils for certain imbalances.
Take your Dosha quiz to find out. If you decide to purchase some things based on your recommendations use code "BLOOLOTUS15" at checkout for 15% off!
Warm your oil prior to applying, take your time, be calming and supportive, and generous with your oil. Use more than just enough. Let it feel nourishing. Let it soak deep into the tissues by waiting about 20 minutes before you shower or, preferably, a bath. Let your morning routine be sacred and meditative, a ritual, undisturbed and just for you.
Neti Pot (Nasal Irrigation)
Make this part of your morning ritual/routine somewhere around shower time. This is an essential practice for those who struggle with congestion and seasonal allergies, essential! If you've been sleeping on nasal irrigation, it's time to wake up, and you can thank me later! You can grab one off Amazon with your Dry Brush, and YouTube instructions if need be. Make sure it comes with the mineral salt, and no do not use your kitchen salt as a DIY for the solution. After irrigating, follow up with a few drops of Nasya oil to prevent the nasal passages from drying up. See recommended Spring herb list below.
For Nasya oil please make sure you are lying down with your head hanging off the edge of the bed or surface, apply drops one nostril at a time while pinching the other and sniff lightly 3 times, then do the other nostril, then lie there with head hanging for about 5 minutes breathing normally, try not to scroll on your phone, just be silent, just be still, just chill.
Start the day with either a large mug of hot water w/lemon and 1/2 tsp of raw honey, or Spring Digestive Tea (recipe below) to awaken your appetite
Enjoy a light breakfast or wait until true hunger arises for lunchtime. Make lunch nourishing (please don't skip lunch), and end the day with a light dinner. Keep your digestive fire running by avoiding mindless grazing and snacking throughout the day
Practices
Start your day with energizing and heating movement which can be yoga, walking, hiking, or anything you enjoy that produces a sweat.
YOGA & BREATH: Increase number of rounds of sun salutations, moving in sync with the breath, introduce heating breath work into your practice now such as Kapalbhati. Choose a yoga practice that includes inversions, heart opening and balancing poses. If you don't know how to do Kapalbhati, check my YT video on how to. Incorporate this into your morning routine, you can even count it as your meditation practice for the day.
MEDITATION: Introduce heating and releasing meditation practices and visualization into your practice such as fire, flames, sun and related visualizations. Meditations that focus on transitions between the breath are great during this time of transition, noticing all the details within the whole cycle of breath, and I mean the details! I've uploaded a few meditations to the podcast that involve practice of this type of breath awareness. You should check it out! Make sure to subscribe to my podcast as I release weekly meditations for each season.
Herbs & Stuff
Non-Comedogenic, Nourishing Massage Oil
Addresses Kapha Imbalances in the Mind & Body
Supports Healthy Circulation & Blood Flow
Helps Revitalize Complexion & Skin Tone
Daily, Steroid-Free Nasal Drops
Flushes, Lubricates, & Opens Nasal Passages
Minimizes Nasal Discomfort
Supports Healthy Respiratory Function
Ideal For Seasonal Relief & Night-Time Stuffiness
Pure Himalayan Vitality
Supports Metabolic Health & Immune Readiness, Response, & Function
Supports Nutrient Absorption & The Body’s Natural Detoxifying Process
Supports Longevity, Health Aging, & Vitality
Helps Maintain Energy Levels & Stamina
In Ayurveda, Shilajit is classified as a Rasayana, an herb that supports longevity, vitality, healthy aging, overall well-being, and whole-body rejuvenation. This rare resin-like substance is believed to nourish and balance the seven elements of the body –plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow, and reproductive fluid.
Shilajit is a powerhouse phytocomplex naturally rich in fulvic acid, antioxidants, and 80+ essential minerals to help support the immune system, cognitive function, andmetabolic health. Fulvic acid is a powerful detox ally, supporting the natural elimination of toxins. Shilajit’s composition also supports an impressive nutrient absorption, actively transporting nutrients deep into the tissues, lending additional support to the immune system, and helping maintain energy levels.
Note: If on a budget, choose Shilajit!!!!
*Each 1-capsule serving delivers 12.5 mg of Fulvic acid.
Use promo code TashiraP15 at checkout for 15% off your first order of herbs listed above at Kerala Ayurveda!
OMG you made it! Here is that recipe for the Spring Digestive Tea!
Spring Digestive Tea
A simple recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups of water
1/2 inch piece of fresh
1/2 star anise
2-3 cloves
2-3 black peppercorns
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
Directions:
Bring water to a boil
Coarsely chop the ginger, with the skin
Add chopped ginger, star anise, cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon to water
Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes or longer
Strain into 2 mugs
Drink 6 ounces with or after meals.
Notes: If you experience acid indigestion at times, you can leave out the peppercorns. If you have a head or a chest cold, add 1/2tsp cumin to the recipe.
That's all for now!
...And of course don't hesitate to comment on this post with any questions about all of this! Something that helps is to copy and paste the recommendations into your phone notes for easy reference when planning and prepping.
See ya'll on the other side....🛸
~Shi
Shop From My Favorite Ayurvedic Herbs Suppliers
Using the affiliate links allow me to receive a commission from supporting partners. Your support is appreciated as it helps me to carry out my mission and continue to do my work in guiding others into good health and well-being..
