Spring Renewal

Nature changes and so should we.

There’s a rhythm of change that the birds and trees are highly attuned in their habits of feeding; mating; resting; and shedding.

Creating a lifestyle in tune with the seasons is a simple Ayurvedic method of changing similar habits to maintain state of balance, avoid disease and create health and vitality.

Known as Ritucharya, Ayurvedic seasonal regimes aim to maintain your state of balance despite the changing conditions that may otherwise know you off course (leading to dis-ease).

The following figure outlines the expected signs of imbalance associated with each season that form the basis for seasonal regimes to overcome.

Spring is about renewal and change.

Spring offers more light and warmth, which encourages growth and change (similar to the fire element characteristics).

With more hours in the day, warmth in the soil and nectar in the air, nature re-emerges from the Winter den with a flurry of activity.

When we attune to it, the energy of Spring can inspire us with new ideas, creative projects and new ways of ways of being that are more aligned in contributing to our dharma (purpose and passion).

Winter’s legacy is heavy.

Dark and cold, Winter is a perfect time for slowing down, inward orientation and restoration (earth and water energies).

And yet, when left unchecked, long periods in the Wintering stage can result in the following signs of imbalance:

• lethargy and stagnation

• heavy mood / winter blues

• excess mucus or allergies

• slow/heavy digestion, resulting in build up of toxins (ama)

• heaviness and weight gain*

*There is no guilt needed or self critical reflection, please. Winter is the perfect time to indulge and build the extra weight and form as a means of warmth and nourishment stored over Winter, which will serve you in the season of re-building your reserves.

Spring regimes should encourage light and warmth.

In order to maintain balance in the transition to Spring, a seasonal regime should support lifestyle choices and habits consistent with the warm and light characteristics of the season.

That is, Spring regimes should encourage the fire element.

The following are some examples of Spring regimes to maintain balance:

• Improve strength in digestion with fasting (eg)

• Employ daily detox habits

• Ramp up your physical activity (as appropriate for your unique needs)

• Ensure that you have integrated the lessons and reflections from Winter and emerge with new found intentions.

Practices to support your Spring Ritucharya.

Spring is Time for Detox

Our body has remarkable natural processes for detoxification: treating and disposing impurities that we consume through food, drink, air and otherwise.

Ayurveda teaches us to support our bodies natural capacity for detoxification with remedies that are most effective as part of a daily routine.

Additionally, Ayurveda prescribes focussing efforts on detoxing the body in between seasons and in particularly, in preparation for Spring.

Ayurvedic Detox methods

The following are some common Ayurvedic Detox methods, which you can find more information about in the following e-book: A guide to Ayurvedic Detox.

• Tongue scraping

• Oil pulling

• Netti

• Nasya

• Abhyanga

  • General

  • Naval

• Dry Body Brushing

• Boosting Digestion

  • Ayurvedic Nutrition

  • Food Choices

  • Fasting

    • Mono-fasting protocol

A Little More about Ama / Toxins

Ama is the Sanskrit word for toxin, which results when we are out of balance (e.g) and is a major factor in the establishment of disease.

"The root cause of all disease is Ama"

Dr Lad 1984.

While there are many factors that contribute to ama, among those common are:

• digestive disorder

• nutritional factors

• stress

• repressed emotions

• obstruction of the waste systems

Signs of ama include:

• Coating on your tongue

• Fatigue

• Heaviness

• Indigestion

• Stagnation

• Gas/bloating

• Abnormal taste, muted taste, or poor appetite

• Mental fog

• Aches and pains