Spring is a time of renewal, growth, and transformation. As nature awakens from its winter slumber, so too can we rejuvenate our bodies and minds. In Ayurveda, an ancient system of holistic healing from India, spring is considered the “Kapha” season, characterized by qualities of heaviness, moisture, and stagnation. To align with the energy of spring and support our well-being, we can incorporate Ayurvedic principles into our daily lives and practice yoga poses that help balance and invigorate the body. Here are some tips and poses to embrace the season of spring:
Ayurvedic Health Tips for Spring:
Cleanse Your Body: Consider a gentle cleanse to rid your body of accumulated toxins (ama) from the winter season. A simple way to do this is by drinking warm water with lemon in the morning and incorporating detoxifying foods such as bitter greens, dandelion greens, and turmeric into your diet.
Eat Seasonal Foods: Favor foods that are light, warm, and easy to digest. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes in your meals. Minimize heavy, oily, and processed foods.
Stay Hydrated: Drink warm water throughout the day to help flush out toxins and keep your body hydrated. You can also enjoy herbal teas such as ginger or cinnamon tea.
Practice Daily Self-Care: Establish a daily routine that includes self-care practices such as oil massage (abhyanga), dry brushing, and gentle yoga to support lymphatic drainage and promote circulation.
Get Moving: Engage in regular physical activity to help stimulate circulation and improve lymphatic flow. Yoga, brisk walking, and dancing are great options.
Yoga Poses for Spring:
Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar): Start your day with a few rounds of Sun Salutations to awaken the body and energize the mind. This flowing sequence of poses helps improve circulation and gently detoxifies the body.
Twists: Twisting poses like Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose) help wring out the internal organs, aiding in digestion and detoxification. They also help stimulate the lymphatic system.
Backbends: Poses like Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) and Ustrasana (Camel Pose) help open up the chest and lungs, increasing vitality and reducing feelings of heaviness or stagnation.
Forward Folds: Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) and Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend) help calm the mind, reduce stress, and gently massage the abdominal organs, aiding in digestion.
Breathing Exercises (Pranayama): Practice Kapalabhati (Skull-Shining Breath/Breath of Fire) and Bhastrika (Bellows Breath) to invigorate the body and clear the mind. These breathing techniques help increase oxygen flow and remove stagnant energy.
As you embrace the energy of spring, remember to listen to your body and honour its needs. By incorporating these Ayurvedic tips and yoga poses into your daily routine, you can support your body’s natural detoxification processes and cultivate a sense of renewal and vitality this season. And don’t forget to book in for our classes, in the studio or online with Leah, Greg & Ron! We’re looking forward to practicing with you this season!
Happy Spring from all of us at Studio Nine 
Written by Leah Marie Serna, E-RYT 200, yoga practitioner, meditator, and co-owner / yoga instructor at Studio Nine. She teaches the Monday Move to Meditate classes, the Tuesday and Thursday morning Foundations & noon Flow classes and Wednesday Yin & Kundalini classes. She also serves as the yoga studio manager.