Nature is providing us with the opportunity to realign with Her and ourselves. She’s giving us permission to slow down and listen, as our ancestors did. To lean into self care, nourishment, creativity, joy, and contentment, which is ultimately an inside job. Ayurveda is an ancient science (sister science to yoga and vedic astrology) that helps us to align with the rhymes and cycles that are found in nature. By attuning ourselves with the ever changing cycles of nature, we drop back into the consistency of our own being.
Spring beckons rebirth and a time to flourish. Ice thaws, blossoms unfold and the nourishing rains cleanse us of impurities that accumulated during winter. This is an optimal time to renew and heal, detoxify your system, invigorate with heating practices and activities and keep your immune system strong.
A basic principle of Ayurveda is “like increases like and opposites qualities bring balance.” Spring is the season that is marked by Kapha, which awakens the qualities (gunas) of heaviness, dull, static, moist, oily and smooth, and the sweet, sour and salty tastes. Therefore during spring it is wise to follow more of a kapha balancing routine and diet. Below are 7 Ayurvedic tips to align yourself with nature as we step into Spring:
* REST - Get extra rest during this time, ideally 8 hours+ to keep your immunity high. The Ayurvedic routine emphasizes being asleep before 10pm (when pitta’s cycle begins) and up before 6am (before sunrise) to keep your energy vital. Kapha time begins at 6am. Waking up before kapha’s cycle sets in makes it much easier to get out of bed, not to mention, it’s the best way to avoid any build up of heavy, dull and static energy.
* NETI POT - Use a Neti pot (nasal irrigation with rock salt) to keep the sinuses clean and clear — this is for preventative purposes. Here’s a video for how to safely practice this Ayurvedic technique. As Yogirshi Vishvketu, Himalayan yoga master, also mentions, you can lubricate your nose and ears with mustard seed oil after Jal neti for an added layer of protection: How to do Jal Neti to Protect your Immune System
* BREATHWORK - Remember to take deep, full body breaths into your belly. Yogirshi made a few short videos with simple and effective pranayama practices to build the immune system: Simple breathing technique to strengthen your immune system!
* MOVEMENT - Daily movement and asana practice. Since Kapha is heavy and cold by nature, it is recommended to increase exercise during Spring to keep the energy moving. Exercise and invigorate your system with a heating yoga practice and warming activities. Exercise is most ideal during Kapha time, which is 6-10am/pm. Heating and invigorating practices during the morning cycle and a pleasant, evening walk after dinner. Saunas, steam baths and sacred fires are perfect detox rituals when accessible.
* DIET - Favor a diet that is lighter and less unctuous (oily), with warm foods and drinks. Eat more foods with the pungent, bitter and astringent tastes and fewer foods with the sweet, sour, salty tastes, especially refined sugar, dairy and wheat, all of which increase the qualities of kapha. To build your immune system, take turmeric, ginger, garlic, vitamin’s A, D and C, iron, zinc, and have Tulsi (holy basil) tea with black pepper.
If you’re asthmatic or begin noticing sensitivity in your lungs, you can steam with eucalyptus oil. At the first time of a scratchy or sore throat you can gargle with hot water, turmeric and sea salt. You can also burn incense or sage to purify your living space.
* SUNSHINE - Spend time in nature and soak up the healing solar rays of the sun and vitamin D.
* SELF CARE - Meditation, abhyanga (self oil massage), creativity (writing, journaling, painting, dancing, singing, photography, playing music, using your imagination etc), read, enjoy silence, rest and rejuvenation, home cooking, playing in the ocean, listen to inspiring and healing music (Raga/Indian Classical melodies help align you with the season and time of day), chant or listen to the Mritunjaya mantra from the Rk Veda (mantra for healing, protection and victory over death):
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् | उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् || AUM TRYAMBAKAM YAJAAMAHE SUGANDHIM PUSHTIVARDHANAM | URVAARUKAMIVA BANDHANAAN-MRITYORMUKSHEEYA MAAMRITAAT ||
Things may not be what they seem. Trust in the presence of the unknown… nature is bringing balance now, and when you align and flow with Her changes you will find Her uplifting embrace. Know that I’m here for you during this time of inward reflection and transformation.
LOVE ALL WAYS
The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures. It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle of birth and of death, in ebb and in flow. ― Rabindranath Tagore
If you'd like more clarity on what this all means for you personally and how to align with the current planetary weather, please visit Vedic Astrology Consultation to book a private Ayurvedic Astrological Consultation. I’m happy to offer 20% off my 1 1/2 hour private Vedic Astrology Consultations (for new clients) through April 1st with CODE: SELFCARE