Spring is a lovely and lively season. The pulse of life quickens as nature moves out of the cold, damp, dark winter and into spring, the soil warms, and petals unfold, seeking the sun. Nature makes it appear seamless, but it is not as easy for us people to move smoothly from one season to the next, particularly from winter to spring. More often than not, we feel heavy and lethargic.
At Mauli Rituals, we adhere to the world's oldest surviving medical system, Ayurveda. It teaches us that the key to feeling in sync with the seasons is to harmonise with nature, follow her lead, and dance to her beat.
In this article, we will discuss the Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle tips for you to implement and honour during springtime.
Ayurveda Tips To Create Space
Make sukha, which means "good space" or a general condition of health and contentment, to ease the transition to spring. You may do this by consuming nutritious
foods and practising asana and pranayama. Sukha is especially crucial while attempting to get rid of excess kapha because it allows prana (vital energy) to flow freely through your body. Prana moves kapha through the body in the same way as the wind propels clouds through the sky. Without sukha, the flow of prana is impeded, which adds to dukha (bad space), sukha's evil twin.
Dukha represents all kinds of sadness and inhibits or distorts the flow of kapha. Sukha and prana should be developed further in your practice. Squats, which create "good space" in the densest parts of the body: the pelvis and legs, can help you develop sukha and prana in your practice.
Daily Ayurveda Tips To Enhance Sukha
You're ready to enhance sukha in the top part of your body once you've generated good space in the bottom half. All of these places create and tend to retain mucus, the stomach, chest, throat, and head are the energy seat of kapha. Deep, rhythmic Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath) practised in Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I Pose), Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation), Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), and sitting twists circulates kapha by squeezing the belly and expanding the chest.
Similarly, inverted forward bends like Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose), standing forward bends like Halasana (Plow Pose), and standing forward bends, all strengthen the diaphragm and promote excess mucus to be evacuated via the mouth and nose.
Kapalabhati pranayama (Skull Shining Breath) is a great way to strengthen your lungs while also cleaning your mind and sensory organs. While engaging your legs voluntarily is the greatest method to circulate prana in your legs, engaging in conscious relaxation is the finest way to circulate prana in your internal organs.
In each breath, try to mix the complimentary movements of purposeful exertion and relaxation. While you inhale, direct your attention to your pelvis and legs, focusing on muscular tone, circulation, and stability. Hold your lower body stable as you exhale and visualise a wave of calm travelling up your spine. Pay extra attention to your upper back, heart, throat, lungs, and brain as you do this.
Ayurveda Diet Tips
The most essential technique to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to eat — and not eat — at regular intervals throughout the day; eating scheduled meals with appropriate time between them improves both the intellect and the body. Throughout the spring, eat light, easy-to-digest foods and wait at least three to four hours between meals. Avoid or limit items that raise kapha, such as dairy products, iced or cold meals or drinks, and fried or greasy foods, especially in the morning and at supper.
If you graze all day, as you did during the colder months, you will interrupt the removal of kapha and may even add to your body's quota.
Try a brief pranayama practice instead of a snack and see what happens. If you're very hungry, try a bowl of miso soup or a few ounces of carrot juice. Remember that increasing your willpower is a fantastic workout for managing an overactive mind and igniting your digestive fire.
Ayurveda Vata Balancing Tips And Tricks
When it comes to your dosha, sometimes it can become imbalanced. If your dosha makeup is that of a vata then you will experience the following symptoms as soon as a vata imbalance occurs.
Vata imbalance symptoms are:
Physical Imbalance
When there is an imbalance of vata, some symptoms manifest physically, such as constipation, gas buildup or abdominal distension Dehydration, dry, rough skin, an aching and soreness throughout the body, an astringent taste that lingers in the mouth, weakness, tiredness, and a lack of vigour. As well as, Insomnia or sleep disturbances, twitches and tremors, dizziness or disorientation, cold sensitivity, and a desire for warmth.
Behavioural Imbalance
When there is an imbalance of vata, some symptoms manifest through behavioural changes. Some behavioural symptoms that showcase an imbalance are irrationality in behaviour, anxiety, uneasiness, agitation, impatience and a desire to flee. Confusion, dread, shakiness, feeling disoriented, and excessive movement and/or communication.
Tips For Balancing Vata
When you detect any signs or symptoms of an imbalance, you can begin to make changes to your diet and lifestyle. You can make alternative choices that will help you overcome your vata imbalance.
Here are some basic tips for lowering vata and restoring balance:
- Consume foods that are naturally sweet, salty, and sour. Eliminate processed sweets, junk food, and avoid excessive salt.
- Maintain a consistent routine and avoid engaging in too many different, chaotic activities. Every day, bedtime, waking time, lunch, and exercise should be the same.
- Yoga poses should be practised at a calm and steady pace.
Ayurveda Springtime Tips
Now comes the fun part: bringing the seasons into harmony through acts of awareness and commitment. At this time of year, all you have to do is glance around to be inspired; regeneration and change are practically welling up from the earth.
The natural world is rebirthing, so be inventive and build a connection to this amazing process. For others, this may include going to prayer or committing your daily yoga practice to nature in silence. Sun Salutations, which were historically conducted while silently saying a prayer to the sun, are a good place to start.
Your efforts to reconnect with nature can extend beyond the boundaries of your yoga mat. Go outside to a beautiful location and observe a moment of stillness. Slow down and observe the buds and shoots that are sticking out in your area; if you visit them over many days and see them bloom, you may have a better appreciation for this new, fresh season.
Create a candle-lighting routine to remind yourself of the growing light of spring. Everything that allows you to enjoy the magnificent changes taking place around you will fill you with inspiration, enthusiasm, and light.
So there you have it: your Ayurvedic tips and tricks for a fun springtime. But there's one important thing to remember: slow down and make things simple.