Spring Survival Guide  

It’s Springtime! We’re finally here again. Mother Earth wakes up, everything is blooming and flowering, full of colours and fragrances. It’s really a season for celebration, a season for growth and rebirth.

A change of season is always something that the body needs to adjust to: the length of the days, changes in the temperature, and seasonal foods for example. Ayurveda, ‘the science of life’, is all about finding balance, and enabling the body and mind to work harmoniously with the outside world. Living in alignment with the seasons is one of the best ways to help support your health and well-being, helping to balance your immune system, digestive system, and of course your dosha ( Vata, Kapha or Pitta )

In Ayurveda, we call this time period–late winter to early summer–Kapha Season. Over the deep cold and hibernation that winter inspires, Kapha Dosha, with its qualities of Earth and Water, accumulates in the environment and thus in our bodies to counter-balance the effects of Vata Season’s Air and Ether energies (late fall to early winter). Therefore, as we feel the seasonal shift occur, we can sense, if we are living in alignment with mother nature’s rhythms, that in order to balance the heavier, denser, thicker and oilier effects of Kapha Season, we must lighten, remove and refresh!

As the heavy duvets of snow melt, and the earth becomes saturated with the fertility that water affords, seeds sprout forth their baby seedlings, animals awaken from a long winter’s slumber, birds reappear from their vacations down south, insects buzz about on the waves of warmer weather, and you too have the opportunity to open your eyes to the gift of being alive!

But if we are living in ignorance of Ayurvedic wisdom, and making choices that go against the natural inclinations of the seasons, we can spend the Spring wrestling with dullness, heaviness, extra weight, depression, congestion, mucus, colds, allergies and more. 

This Spring Survival Guide will be your gateway to welcoming spring with ease and flow. 

KAPHA TIP #1: EAT A SPRING DIET

Kapha energy (Earth + Water) is cool, oily, and heavy. Ayurveda teaches us that like increases like and opposites bring about balance. So with that natural law in mind and heart, what energies will bring balance at this time? Warmth, dryness and lightness.

In terms of a healing Spring diet, focus your choices towards foods that are:

PUNGENT (fire + air): cayenne, chilli pepper, black pepper, mustard, ginger, asafoetida (hing), onion, radish, garlic

BITTER (air + ether): bitter melon, turmeric, dandelion, aloe vera, fenugreek, neem, coffee (in moderation and only for those with obvious Kapha imbalance)

ASTRINGENT (air + earth): unripe plantain, pomegranate, chickpeas, yellow split peas, most raw vegetables 

Create a special Kapha reducing spice mix with  Coriander, Ginger, Turmeric, Cumin, Cinnamon, Cayenne, and then you have it on hand for easy use. 

Seasonal swap examples: 

• instead of oats or wheat, enjoy millet, amaranth, rice, corn, and buckwheat in the spring.
• instead of red meat, enjoy legumes, tofu, poultry, fresh fish, and hard-boiled eggs as proteins.
• instead of hard cheeses, enjoy fresh cheeses, goat cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt which are sour in flavor (rather than sweet.)
• instead of butter or olive oil, favor ghee.
• instead of heartier root vegetables such as sweet potato or squash, enjoy a greater quantity of green vegetables, as well as spring beets and carrots and all alliums such as onions and garlic.
• instead of granulated sugars, enjoy raw honey, maple syrup, and molasses.
• ALL spices will be supportive throughout this season!

KAPHA TIP #2: MOVE YOUR LYMPH

The word ‘lymph’ is simply short form for ‘lymphatic fluid.’ And in Ayurveda, lymph is known as one of the seven Dhatus (tissues) and is called Rasa, the sacred carrier and cleanser of the body, taking waste products from every cell and moving them out of the body for disposal. The lymphatic system is akin to the drains and pipes in your home, so you can imagine how things can quickly go very awry if there is a blockage in a pipe that is left unattended. And because the lymphatic system has no automatic pump of its own, it relies on our conscious choice to move our bodies in order for it to turn on and to function properly. 

With this in mind, we can see how Tamasic energy (stagnancy) inevitably leads to imbalance and eventually, disease. Tamas is the end-product of too much Kapha energy. 

So what can we do? MOVE!

Kapha constitutions thrive with routine. They gravitate towards structure, predictability and familiarity, yet the earth element present in their makeup may result in a feeling of aversion towards physical activity, the very medicine that they need! And as we all awaken from winter's deep slumber, it is important for all of us (Kapha-predominant or not) to literally shake off the the extra weight we may be carrying at this time, to get the lymphatic fluids pumping and to purify the mind. This commitment will also counter-balance the heavy and wet energetics of Spring.

In general however, it is suggested in Ayurveda to engage in more vigorous, heart-pumping and invigorating exercise at this time of the year. Choose between a more vigorous Yoga Asana practice, skipping, rebounding, running, biking, swimming, hiking, dancing, pilates, weight training, or whatever exercise leaves you feeling energised, internally heated, and inspired!

Make a commitment to engage in a 30 minute to 1 hour movement practice, and consider planning your practice for the Kapha time periods of the day: between 6-10am or 6-10pm. However, if these times aren’t possible for your schedule, choose one that is and make it a non-negotiable daily promise to yourself, to others and to the benefit of all. Because of course, when we are living as nature intended, this has a very real ripple effect that touches all those we meet and even beyond. 

Beyond exercise, there are other tools and practices that are both enjoyable, quick and simple and will deeply support your lymph-stimulating and detoxification efforts!

DRY-BRUSHING (Garshana)

Dry Brushing is a highly effective and enjoyable way to move excess Kapha energy out of the system. If you find you have trouble getting going in the mornings especially, this daily practice of stimulating the body’s natural detoxification efforts will inspire you awake! You simply can’t go back to sleep after this morning, self-loving ritual! No caffeine needed. 

RISE WITH THE SUN 

KAPHA TIP #3: CLEANSE!

It is recommended in Ayurveda to cleanse at least once per year, but even better is to cleanse seasonally, especially in the Spring and Fall. Cleansing every six month in this way, allows any built-up Ama (toxins/waste) that has accumulated in the previous season to be shed from the body and mind, leaving you clear, and thus preventing the onset of chronic imbalances.

I highly suggest partaking in a 3-7 day traditional Ayurvedic Cleanse called Kitchari. Kitchari is a simple dish revered for thousands of years for its detoxifying and healing properties. It gently cleanses the system of Ama, purifies the channels so that Prana can flow unimpeded, and thus, allows the body to heal all on its own. 

Unlike many other holistic cleanses marketed today, Kitchari is so adaptable, and therefore can be modified to suit the needs of each constitution and all imbalances. Because, unlike what we are told and sold, one-size actually does not fit all when it comes to health and healing, and a cold, light and wet 10-day juice cleanse that benefits one person tremendously, can lead to entirely opposite results in another. 

The purpose of the Kitchari cleanse is to streghthen and ignite your Agni ( the digestive fire ), so that the body can do what it s meant to do daily - cleanse. 

Further, most cleanses focus solely on the physical effects and benefits of the detoxification process. However, in Ayurveda, and with a Kitchari cleanse, the emotional and spiritual purification that is bound to occur simultaneously is considered essential to the healing process. 

So, consider implementing a Kitchari Cleanse as part of your Springtime Seasonal Routine, to prepare you to move into the season with lightness and ease.

And be sure to check out my 3 days Kitchari cleanse offer HERE 

KAPHA TIP #4: Strengthen the Agni !

As I mentioned it’s all about our Digestive fire or Agni:

The basis of everything in Ayurveda is a healthy digestive Agni or “fire”. Agni gives us the physical power of digestion as well as the ability to discriminate and digest our sensory impressions, thoughts and emotions. A strong Agni will enable you to differentiate between essential and non-essential; healthy to toxic; wise from foolish. A good functioning Agni also prevents the build-up of ama, the heavy residue left in the body when you consume things you can’t assimilate or completely digest. A good Agni helps build healthy tissue and improves immunity and resilience to dis-ease.

All Ayurvedic regimes and rituals are based around forming and supporting a strong Agni; be it daily rituals to seasonal regimes.

To ensure a strong Agni, we have to eat at regular times during the day; have routine meals with regular intervals of 3 -4 hours between each.  Switch to lighter foods and avoid foods that increase Kapha; dairy products, iced or cold and raw foods, as well as heavy and oily foods especially in the morning and for dinner. It is better to reduce or minimise foods that are sour, sweet and salty in taste as this can provoke Kapha.

Favour a diet of bitter, astringent and pungent foods, warm cooked foods rather than raw, qualities that reduce and help keep Kapha in check. Below is a list of foods that help to keep your Kapha balanced during springtime :

Vegetables such as Bitter leafy greens; Spinach, Collard Greens, Kale, Mustard Greens, Swiss Chard, Alfalfa Sprouts, Artichokes, Asparagus, Bean Sprouts,  Bell Peppers, Bitter Melon, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chicory, Corn,  Endive,  Fennel, Green Beans, Hot Peppers,  Jicama,  Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Peas,  Radishes,  Seaweed,  Snow Peas.

 Grains: Amaranth, Barley, Buckwheat, Corn, Millet, Oats (dry), Quinoa, Brown Rice or Old Basmati Rice and Rye. 

Legumes which are astringent or bitter in taste and drying in nature are best: All sprouted beans, Adzuki, Garbanzo, Fava, Kidney, Lentils, Lima, Split peas, Chick peas and Green Gram (Mung).

Warming spices to include are: Anise, Asafoetida, Basil, Bay leaf, Black pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander seeds, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Horseradish, Marjoram, Mustard, Nutmeg, Oregano, Peppermint, Poppy seeds, Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Spearmint, Thyme, Turmeric, with plenty of fresh herbs such as Dill, Fennel, Parsley, Coriander, Mint.

Drink herbal teas made with herbs such as Tulsi, Echinacea, Licorice, Cardamom, Chicory, Cinnamon, Cloves, Dandelion, Ginger, Hibiscus, Orange peel. Warm water(not hot) in the morning with honey and a few drops of lemon helps balance Kapha with its heating, cleansing properties

KAPHA TIP #5: TAKE YOUR HERBS (AUSHADHI CHIKITSA)

This Spring, tailor your choices of herbal supplementation to herbs that offer a Lekhana (scraping) effect, as these are the herbs that will remove held Ama  and allow them to be carried out of the body through the various Malas (waste materials) such as feces, urine and sweat.  Focus on herbs that boast a Rasa (taste) that is bitter, pungent or astringent. 

The following herbs are my spring picks, although they have numerous other benefits and can be used for many reasons I have outlined which of these would be most beneficial during spring.

Triphala :Contains three of the most important Ayurvedic herbs for detoxifying and rejuvenating the body and improving Gut health whilst balancing all 3 Doshas.

To keep Agni strong:

Trikatu : A combination of 3 spices; Ginger, Black pepper and Long pepper that stimulates digestion and breaks down Ama or toxins

Hinguwastak : A combination of 8 herbs. Rekindles digestive fire and assists in digestion of heavy foods, reduces bloating and excessive formation of gas.

Boost immune system

Chywanprash: is a famous Ayurvedic jam or elixir made with 41 herbs known to boost immune system, improve digestion and for supporting respiratory system

Tulsi: this single herb combats respiratory ailments, is a great nervine tonic and helps in seasonal allergies. Can be taken as a herbal tea

Guduchi : Has numerous benefits which include being the best immune modulator, improves digestion also reduces stress and anxiety

Spring is the time for renewal and transformation and preparing the mind and body for the year ahead. These are just guidelines on how you can enjoy this springtime. The one simple rule is to slow down and keep it simple. Keep your Kapha balanced! 

This spring routine will, of course, vary from person to person, however it is of such benefit to align oneself with protocols that will encourage the body and mind to shed, to reset and to open to the vibrancy and rebirthing energy of this new season!