Ayurveda, or “life knowledge” is all about finding balance, and enabling each person’s internal environment to work harmoniously with their external environment.
Ayurveda divides the entire year into 6 different seasons or Rutu. A year is divided into 2 Kaals and each Kaal comprises of 3 seasons which gives a total of 6 seasons in a year. Early winter, late winter, Spring, Summer, Monsoon and Autumn.
1) Adaan kaal (Shishir/winter, Vasant/spring, Grishma/summer)
2) Visarg kaal (Varsha /rainy, sharad/autumn, Hemant/prewinter)
Rutucharya is the ancient Ayurvedic practice and is comprised of two words, “rutu” means season and “Charya” means lifestyle regimen or discipline.
How do these seasons come about ??These seasons occur due to the rotation of the earth with respect to the son and with respect to its own axis. These movements together play a role in changing the season one after another.
Just as each person has a predominant Dosha, each time of day and each season is also governed by a particular Dosha. Spring or Vasant Ritu is closely referred to Kapha, ‘K’ means water and 'pha means flourish-with the qualities of moistness, heaviness, abundance but also lethargy- and related to the elements of earth and water.
All these qualities of Kapha brings out a lot of sluggishness, congestion, spring allergies , mucous accumulation ,cold ,sinus issues in spring season.
If we continue to eat what we ate during the winter times can aggravate the Kapha Dosha. Whilst winter may be all about getting cosy and filling up on comfort foods, we may enter into spring feeling heavy and sluggish. So it’s time to lighten things up, shed the many aspects of our “winter coat” to allow new growth and abundance during the coming months of spring.
In Australia spring months are during September to November and In India they are around February and March.
RITUCHARYA / DAILY ROUTINE FOR SPRING
In general, you will benefit most from the renewing nature of the spring if you develop some focused intentions for yourself.
Wake up early in the morning before sunrise
Brush your teeth, scrap your tongue
Drink some warm water empty stomach
Massage your body with some warm oil eg. sesame oil or consider a dry rub before you bathe
Spring Yoga and Pranayama-
1) Surya namaskar (sun salutation),
2) Virbhadrasana (warrior I, II) reverse warrior
3) Bhujangasana (cobra pose)
4) Dhanurasana (bow popse)
5) kapalbhati pranayama
6) Bhastrika Pranayam
7) Sawasana
Day time napping is not recommended
Best to drink just enough fluid to stay hydrated
SPRING DIET
THERE ARE MAINLY 6 TASTES DISCRIBED IN AYURVEDA
MADHUR- sweet, AMLA-sour, LAVAN- salty, KATU- bitter, TIKTA- pungent, KASHAY- astringent One must favor bitter ,pungent and astringent tastes in spring season. These 3 tastes have ‘langana’ means light quality which enhances scraping and cleansing.
Keep meals light, warm and easy to digest. Green leafy vegetables, spices and foods with bitter, pungent and astringent taste will help clear excess moisture and help in balancing Kapha.
Avoid sweets, sour and salty flavors which are considered heavy and damp. Reduced chilled and refrigerated foods that are brimming with cold and excess moisture that further aggravate Kapha.
SEASONAL CLEANSE / PANCHKARMA/ DETOXIFICATION/ REJUVENATION
Support our body’s natural efforts to find balance by supporting seasonal cleansing and detoxification practices to clear excess congestion. Consult us for a detox plan to suits your needs and lifestyle.
DETOXYFYING SPICE MIX
1 Part turmeric
2 Parts ground cumin
1 Part ground coriander
4 Parts ground fennel
Method: mix these spices together in bulk and store in a jar. When you are cooking a meal, place small amount of ghee in a pan and heat on medium. Add1 TSF detoxifying spice mix and sauté spices until aroma is released but be careful not to burn. Add steam vegetables, mix lightly and sauté together for one minute. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Most importantly allow your body and mind to adjust to a new environment. Try to give yourself enough rest, sleep and exercise, as well as gifting yourself a good nutritious diet and a positive state of mind.
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