Self-care for Spring
You need only look to Nature to observe the opening, flowering, and expansion that occurs in the Springtime. This precise form of awakening is being mirrored within your own body, mind and heart.
In Ayurveda, Springtime is the kapha time of year. In this season, things thaw out, melt, liquify and soften.
Kapha literally means overflowing water, however, out of balance kapha can be inert, lackluster and weighty.
To keep Kapha’s tendency towards lethargy at bay, now is the time to move. Get out and shake things up!
Enjoy foods, sights, smells, and activities that are invigorating, energizing, and dynamic to help clear out excess mucous, toxicity, and stagnation that may have accumulated in your body through the winter season.
Having the courage to let go of stagnancy or anything that you've outgrown is essential to the re-birthing process. Perhaps there is a wardrobe, friendship, partnership or job that is weighing you down, keeping you in an old perception of who you were, not who you are now.
It’s time to move forward and not ruminate over things that are not allowing you to be who we want to be. You’re the one with the power to decide who you are now, how you want to be in the world, and how you want to show up and express yourself.
The more you stay in your flow and connected with Source, the more you live from an authentic, empowered place that is less directed by the external and driven by your internal guidance.
This flow can happen anytime you choose. In the spring however, is when you're cleansed with the thawing of your heart's fears to step out and embrace the wholeness and fullness of who you are.
Spring Routines
Spring is the season of renewal and simply letting go. Of creating space for new growth.
Enjoy and observe the changes in your body, mind and heart as Spring unfolds and expands your life.
Springtime can trick us into abandoning our daily practice as we feel the need to shed everything and throw out what is no longer needed.
Sometimes, we tend to lose ourselves as we crave complete freedom. True liberation comes from implementing our daily rituals and simple practices that free our mind from distractions and impulsive actions that may not be beneficial in the long run.
So how do you have freedom and routine at the same time? The answer is to choose and implement the practices and attitudes that will serve and sustain you over time.
Begin simply, as always. Shift your practices to a lighter more subtle “springy” space. Move, laugh, play, explore, experiment, and expand!
The Spring Daily Practices will give you the foundation to awaken renewed love for yourself and the beauty of your life.
The Spring Daily Practices
Start by waking a little earlier, by about half an hour. If you were waking in Winter at 7am, you can slowly transition into waking at 6:45am and finally at 6:30am. Always allow yourself enough time to do your morning practices without feeling stressed or rushed.
Morning cleansing rituals- scrape tongue, brush your teeth, and practice oil pulling.
Drink warm water with a squeeze of lemon and an optional ½ piece of grated ginger. This will clear out Spring congestion from the tissues, assist elimination, and activate digestion.
Meditate (even 5 minutes is a good start)
Breathe.
Move. Get your body moving for 20 minutes every morning with yoga or in other ways like dancing, bike, riding or brisk walking. Increased activity in Spring helps move stagnation and congestion, and cleanses the body for the day.
Go outside and walk amongst the flowers, inhale the fragrant spring air. Commune with Nature.
Self massage with sesame or almond oil. Take a warm shower while using natural herbal soap.
Anoint yourself with aromatic enlivening, and cleansing essential oils for the spring. Choose from ginger, cardamom, eucalyptus, rosemary, fennel, sandalwood, lavender, spikenard, basil.
To learn more about Spring Routines and optimal foods for the season, join our 15 Day Spring Cleanse starting on March 21st!