How to Manifest Your Dreams by Harmonizing with Nature in Spring
In Sanskrit, the ancient vibrational language of India, Ayur means life and Veda means science/knowledge of; thus Ayurveda translates to the science/knowledge of life.
Spring is a time for new growth, ascendancy and fresh potential. Buds begin to burst and their baby leaves begin to unfurl while once dormant seeds germinate. Spring is a time of increased warmth and wetness from a thawing of the winter snow. Because of the wetness and coldness from the winter, Kapha has accumulated by this time. Spring in Ayurveda is considered a Kapha time of the year.
Kapha is a Sanskrit word meaning “that which binds things”. It is one of the three doshas, or elemental combinations in Ayurveda. Kapha is a mixture of earth and water. This kaphic mixture produces the qualities of heaviness, dampness, moisture, stability, and slowness. Spring is a perfect representation of these qualities, think: “mud”. It is also important to note here that the elements found in the seasons and the environment, are also found in the body, our thoughts, the food we eat, and the way in which we move through life.
In Ayurveda, good health is defined by harmony in the physical body, mind, emotions and the spirit with the goal to always to find balance. The primary principle being: Like increases like; opposites decrease. For most people this principle is common sense. For example, if we are out on a hot summer day in the sun, we naturally seek shade after a while. In the spring our goal is to bring lightness, warmth, movement and dryness to the body, as these are the opposite qualities than are present in the atmosphere, and thus, they will bring balance to the whole being.
In the spring everyone will feel to some degree the influence of earth and water in the atmosphere. In the body when kapha is predominant at the point of conception, individuals will often be large framed, soft and easily gain weight. They are loyal, compassionate, great listeners, loyal, nurturing, calm and peaceful. Their sleep is long and sound and they are slow to learn new things, however, once learned, they never forget. When a person has too much kapha accumulation from their lifestyle or the presence of spring, they tend to feel unusually sluggish, have difficulty waking, feel overly attached to people and material possessions, and are likely to experience respiratory imbalances such as sinus infections, chronic colds, coughs, thick white tongue coating, water retention, and weight gain.
There are many ways to balance kapha in the body. Remembering like increases like and opposites decrease, we would naturally turn to activities, thoughts, foods, and practices that encourage warmth, stimulation, cleansing, lightness, dryness, and movement to the body.
Kapha also tends to accumulate in the lungs, and so is best treated by focusing on clearing mucus from the stomach and lungs with expectorants such as ginger Zingiber officinalis, black pepper Piper nigrum, and cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylancium.
Below you will find some specific ways to balance kapha in the spring:
Rise with the sun
Daily aerobic activity such as dancing and brisk walking.
Daily Dry Brushing to increase lymphatic flow
Daily deep, brisk massage with Kapha balancing massage oil
2 oz organic sesame oil
5 drops Rosemary Verbenone Rosmarinus officinalis
3 drops Eucalyptus Eucalyptus smithii
3 drops Eucalyptus Eucalyptus dives
5 drops Tulsi Ocimum sanctum
6 drops Cinnamon Himalayan Cinnamomum cecidodaphne
5 drops Lemon Citrus limomum
Sip homemade Chai Tea daily
4 cups fresh spring water
8 whole organic cloves
10 whole cardamom pods
6 whole black peppercorns
4 whole pippali
2 sticks of cinnamon
4 slices fresh gingerroot, ¼’’ thick
1 cup of milk of choice (avoid cow milk if you are feel mucus)
Crush whole spices slightly in a mortar and pestle. Bring water and spices to boil in a pot. Lower heat and simmer 15-20 minutes. Add milk, strain into cup and add sweetener.
Sauna with kapha balancing mist
4 oz spray bottle
2 oz Organic Frankincense Boswellia carterri hydrosol
2 oz fresh spring water
3 drops Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
6 drops Eucalyptus Citriodora
5 drops Sweet Orange Citrus sinensis
5 drops Ruby Grapefruit Citrus paradisi
Maintain your spiritual practice with meditation, journaling, art and creative projects.
Utilize Sound Therapy with drumming, chimes, gongs and tuning forks.
Foods should focus on the astringent, bitter and pungent tastes as sweet, salty and sour increase Kapha. Examples of beneficial foods are: small legumes such as lentils, split peas, split mung beans, adzuki beans, lacinato kale, swiss chard, collard greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, chilis, ginger, millet, quinoa, brown rice, and barley.
Try a gentle cleanse to allow your body to let go of what you do not need and bring in what you are wanting more of in your life!
Check out our Gentle Body Cleanse and message us with questions!
