Embodied Health

By Denver Clark, C-IAYT, ERYT-500

As nature awakens from its winter slumber, the spring equinox (this year on March 19^th) brings the energies of renewal and rejuvenation. Flowers begin to bloom, trees bud with fresh green leaves and the air is sweet with the scent of blossoms. It is a time of growth and transformation.

Ancient cultures have long celebrated the spring equinox as a time of rebirth and fertility. Longer, sunnier days lie ahead, and as we bask in the warmth of the sun and the vibrant colors emerging in nature all around, we connect to the infinite possibilities that come with new beginnings.

In the ancient practice of Ayurveda, the spring equinox marks a pivotal time for balancing the mind, body and spirit as the seasons’ energy shifts and our bodies rid themselves of accumulated ama (undigested energy) from the winter. This is traditionally a time of ayurvedic cleansing through food and herbs, digestive healing and energy building yoga practices.

In Ayurveda, the spring season is representative of Kapha dosha, which consists of water and earth elements. Kapha governs stability, structure and lubrication in the body and mind. As the cold earth thaws and new life emerges, it is possible to feel heaviness and dampness, not just in nature but in our bodies and minds as well. This energetic imbalance can lead to congestion, allergies and sluggishness among other things. To harmonize this energy, Ayurveda recommends pacifying kapha dosha with warming and invigorating practices. Here are a few recommendations:

• Diet: favor light, dry and warming foods such as steamed vegetables and legumes and incorporate spices like ginger and turmeric into your diet to stimulate easy digestion. Minimize heavy foods such as dairy, meat and sweet and salty tastes can help avoid an imbalance of kapha dosha.
• Exercise: engage in dynamic, stimulating practices such as vinyasa yoga, brisk walks in the sunlight, dancing and pranayama. Light and invigorating movement promotes circulation, stimulates agni (our inner digestive fire) and loosens the ama we’ve accumulated over the heavy winter months.
• Cleansing: support your body’s natural ability to remove wastes by drinking warm water with lemon or herbal teas or enjoy triphala herbal support. (find triphala here)
• Self-care: practice dry brushing to increase circulation and lymphatic movement and invigorate your body and mind. (find a dry brush here) Get outside and enjoy the movement of fresh air to uplift your spirits and the glow of sunlight to warm your heart. Try waking up an hour before sunrise to set your daily energy into motion and move together with the rhythms of nature.
• Introspection: now is the perfect time to set new practices into motion. Think about what you truly want in this next phase of life and take time to make a clear plan for how you’ll achieve your goals this year, one step at a time. You might choose to create a ceremony to mark this beginning or use a few of the journaling prompts below to collect your thoughts:

• • Reflect on rebirth – as the earth awakens from its winter slumber, what aspects of your own life are you ready to be revitalized this spring?
• • Embracing change – what changes are you ready to embrace in your life? How can you welcome these changes with open arms and let go of what is no longer serving you? What new projects are calling to you at this time?
• • Setting intentions – what new goals and dreams do you have? How can you plant seeds to grow these dreams into reality?
  • Connecting with nature – what is your favorite way to engage with the natural world? How can you connect with nature this month?

By embracing the shifting seasons from winter to spring, we align with our innate ability to be one with nature and one another. Take some time to reflect as the sun returns and new opportunities abound.