In addition to spring cleaning in and around your home, consider a seasonal transition ritual for your body. According to ayurveda, yoga’s sister science of health and wellbeing, the winter months introduce a heavy kapha (pronounced kap-pah) quality throughout the body. Kapha represents the energy of earth and water – think heaviness, cool or cold, not much moving about (stagnation), and sleepiness.
As Spring gets underway, the earth warms up, live emerges! Humans and animals are roused out of their wintry, energy-conserving modes. Ayurveda recommends the following steps to help you ‘shed your winter coat’…
Adopt a non-sedentary lifestyle
Exert vigorous energy. Work out in the garden or yard, go for a walk or bike ride. Dance.
Move with the breath. Take that yoga class you’ve been thinking about. Practicing breath awareness in different yoga poses will allow an experience of the present moment, offer an opportunity for relaxation and provide a chance to feel the presence of a quiet mind.
Increase your intake of prana
Prana is life-force energy. We take in prana from…
Air...the fresher, the better
Try an easy stroll through Ruffner Mountain and breathe in the fresh oxygen
Sunlight...get a responsible amount of sun exposure & do wear sunscreen!
You could simply turn the face sunward for 1 minute and feel the warmth on your face and neck
Food...eat fresh foods that are vibrant with color (grains, legumes & vegetables are a good choice for spring) and produced as locally as possible. Consider buying your produce from a local farmer's market like Pepper Place or grow your own in a community garden like Jones Valley Urban Farm. Finally, avoid heavy, oily or overly spicy foods and eat slowly, taking short breaks between savoring bites.
Shed your coat, literally!
Exfoliate the skin. Get out your loofa or scrubby shower gloves and slough off dead skin once or twice per week.
Hydrate the skin after showering by applying light oil (like sesame) or body lotion with SPF protection.
...and lastly, my personal favorite:
Receive massage
Think about it: Aside from helping your body recuperate from exercising (and that it's a lovely treat), receiving a massage can help break up stagnant, dull energy inside all systems of the body.
• Application of oil hydrates and stimulates the skin
• Muscle tissues are relieved by rhythmic compression and lengthening
• Joints are lubricated through passive stretching
• Lymphatic system is stimulated and directed into collecting excess cell waste
• Circulation is improved
• Nervous system is soothed and calmed, replenishing your energy
• Receiving safe, therapeutic touch can remind you to ‘connect’ to those around you
Keep these points in mind as you transition to spring!
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