Transition into Spring with Ayurveda's seasonal routine tips

It's the beginning of April and Spring has officially started according to our seasonal calendar. However nature does not switch seasons from one day to another. It's a process of transitioning.

According to Ayurveda this period is called Ritusandhi. Ritu means seasonal and sandhi means joint. This transition period takes about 6 weeks and gives us the time to shift smoothly into the next season.

What happens in nature, reflects within us

In the northern hemisphere during Spring the sun gains energy and is slowly warming up this side of the earth. This means the moon with its lunar qualities is residing and days are getting longer. The warm solar energy causes the ice in the mountains to melt which starts rivers to flow freely again. We human beings are a reflection of the macro cosmos so this too happens within our bodies.

In winter we can generally digest more and with the last harvest (and let's not forget end of the year festivities full of sweet, heavy and oily foods) we eat ourselves a protective winter coat that naturally insulates us from the cold outside. In Spring accumulated Kapha dosha (water & earth element) starts to liquify in the body so that it ideally easily can get eliminated out of our body.

This melting action can give rise to all sorts of ailments such as respiratory congestion, runny nose, blocked sinuses, phlegm in the lungs and throat, weight gain, hay fever and asthma.The common cold / flu is back again and we can experience a general feeling of heaviness that can also cause us to feel sluggish and lethargic.

Balancing qualities

For all treatments Ayurveda uses the law of 'like increases' like and 'opposites balance'. Our natural tendencies are already based on this. Say you are feeling cold, then you drink a cup of warm tea or put on an extra sweater instead of drinking something ice cold and taking off your sweater. Spring qualities vs their balancing opposite:

• Heavy vs Light
• Wet, oily vs Dry
• Cold vs Warm
• Static vs mobile / stimulating

If the symptoms mentioned earlier already sound familiar or if you would like to prevent the qualities above from accumulating, then let's take a look at the seasonal routine Ayurveda offers us to naturally shake off that winter coat. In general our aim is to start getting things moving again, by creating heat and friction. This will dry out the excess mucus and help the body to discharge everything it no longer needs.

Ayurvedic seasonal routine tips:

• Follow a Kapha balancing diet: Increase the use of the tastes pungent, bitter, astringent. They help us release the toxins (and stored fat) we have build up over Winter. Think of all green leafy veggies (like spinach, chard, leek, lettuce, endive), celery, chicory, fennel and broccoli. Think of kitchen herbs like (dry) ginger, pepper, cumin, cinnamon, mustard seeds, fenugreek, chili and tumeric. Try to avoid foods that are heavy, oily, dense, or cold in quality such as animal products, gluten (they have a sticky quality), cooked oats, nuts and everything that contains sugar, is deep fried or raw. Drink hot water and more spicy teas, and keep your meals warm & light (think of roasted veggies and simple soups!)
• Eat smaller meals and only when you feel hungry. Make sure your lunch is your biggest meal and have it around noon when your digestive fire is strongest. Try to minimize snacking in between meals.
• Cleanse your body & mind by doing a detox
• GET MOVING! Anything that activates your lymph like some heavy cardio, hot yoga or Kundalini sequence that works on the digestive organs and stimulates the glandular and lymphatic system.
• Purify the subtle energetic bodies with the use cleansing pranayama like the Breath of Fire or Surya Bhedana.
• Incorporate the use of a dry brush (activates the lymph whilst removing dead skin) neti pot (cleanse the sinuses)  & tongue scraper (removes unwanted waste material).
• Synchronize yourself with nature and use the rising energy of the sun to get out of bed. So set your alarm earlier and preferably at sunrise!
• For a bright sunny mood wear uplifting colors like yellow, red, orange, purple or an exciting print. If you're into aromatherapy you can uplift your spirit by using essential oils such as orange, grapefruit, tulsi, clove or frankincense.
• Declutter your inner and outer world. Let go of what no longer serves you! From old patterns and behavior to a house with too much furniture and closet full with clothes. Embrace change and welcome in the transformative qualities of this season; creativity and the beginning of new life!

Need help to get moving and to bring back your body into balance?

In our Monthly Medicine Space we offer you a curated selection of Kundalini Yoga practices that flow with the current energies. All tied to a theme that is alive right now, these practices serve as Energy Medicine at this specific moment in the yearly cycle. Move your body, breathe and chant in newly designed Kundalini Yoga sequences that are weaving together ancient practices for modern times.