Spring has sprung! Flowers are budding, birds are singing and all life (including me) seems to be waking up from a deep slumber. Spring is the season of new beginnings, renewal, vitality and growth. According to Ayurveda, late winter and early spring are associated with Kapha dosha and have the qualities of warmth (relative to winter, although still cool), wet, and heavy. When Kapha is in balance, you feel strong, stable and your immune system is awesome. When it’s out of balance, you can feel lethargic, mentally dull, and experience weight gain. Additionally excess Kapha can lead to springtime allergies and colds.
Ritucharya, is an Ayurvedic seasonal routine that supports us to maintain a healthy balance by honoring the dynamic rhythms of nature. In Ayurveda, honoring the change in season is just as important for creating vibrant health as maintaining a daily routine. Kapha tends to accumulate in the body over the late winter and early spring, leaving us feeling heavy and dull. Spring is our opportunity to get moving and release that accumulation. That’s why it’s important to shift our diet and lifestyle to sync with the elemental qualities of a new season. This is a time for a fresh, clean start and an opportunity to lighten our bodies and minds and awaken to the beauty of the season.
Make space
It’s time to eliminate the excess. Spring is one of the best times of year to cleanse. Ayurveda cleansing allows us to harness the new growth energy of spring to remove accumulated Ama (toxins) from the physical, mental and emotional bodies and restore health to our whole being. It’s also a great time of year to deep clean your house and to clean out the closets. It’s a time to clear away any physical and energetic clutter and create space to make a fresh start.
Check out my spring cleanse tip sheet.
Switch up your diet
During the winter months we tend to eat heavier foods. In the spring choose foods that are lighter, drier, more pungent, and warming. Spring favorites include sprouts, dandelion greens, spring greens, asparagus and berries. Include spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, fennel, cinnamon and ginger. Avoid overeating. Aim for three meals a day, no snacks.
Get moving
One of the best ways to counter the slow, sluggish feeling of Kapha imbalance is to get moving. This time of year we naturally become more active. Like taking a big stretch after waking from hibernation – the body is ready to move. Whatever type of exercise you enjoy commit to a daily practice and try to break a sweat.
Grab my Kapha Yoga Tipsheet
Wishing you Vibrant Wellness
Kate