Stagnate or Sprout come spring?

 

This cold and wet week is the perfect cue

Some of us may have felt the desire to slow down and stay inside…others may have been yearning for movement and activity to find a sense of warmth. Ayurveda, the science of vitality, tells us Spring is dominated by the earth and water elements both of which are cool and moist. Ayurveda also provides an array of warming and lightening practices that can bring balance this time of year.

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Morning practices

  • Waking with the sun; when we align ourselves with the warmth and the light qualities of the sun our minds and bodies can take on those qualities.

  • Just after waking enjoy a cup of warm water (can add a touch of lime or apple cider vinegar if you’d like.) This kindles the internal digestive fires of the body.

  • To help awaken the mind and body kapala bhati breath (or “skull shining” breath) can be incorporated into a morning meditation practice or anytime the mind or body are feeling sluggish

    1. Find a comfortable seat

    2. Begin to observe the breath with the hand on the belly noticing how the exhale and inhale feel

    3. When feeling steady with the breath, begin to draw the lower belly (or navel) up and in on the exhale with some force and allow the inhale to follow naturally as the belly releases for 10-20 breaths

    4. Pause to observe mind and body after one round and explore this breath for two more rounds

    *Precaution- this breath is to be practiced only if comfortable with other breathing techniques or pranayama practices and is not indicated for those with child, high blood pressure or heart issues, any recent surgeries to the abdominal area or hernias, or epilepsy

 

throughout the day

  • Find a movement practices that allows you to build heat and sweat or “sveda.” Sweat is one way the body releases that waste that could have built up during the cooler months . This can be an invigorating asana practice, a jog- whatever gets you moving!

  • Enjoy warm foods- consider blanching or sauteing veggies and enjoying plenty of them with lean proteins or meats

  • Breakfast and inner can be smaller with plenty of time between meals to allow for digestion

To balance out the cold and moist qualities of Spring Ayurveda, the science of vitality, invites us to find practices that bring warmth and light this time of year.

To balance out the cold and moist qualities of Spring Ayurveda, the science of vitality, invites us to find practices that bring warmth and light this time of year.

  • Before your shower you can enjoy drybrushing- a beautiful practice to increase the flow of lymph to help release toxins while invigorating the circulatory and skin systems. This is brushing the skin with a dry bristled brush toward the heart, starting at the feet and hands. Banyan Botanicals shares a video on the technique here.

These are just a few of the self-care practices that can support our wellbeing during the Spring Season. Don’t hesitate to reach out to jenn@intrunature.com with any questions about dinacharya- routines to align our natural rhythms!

 
Jennifer Mintz