Spring is considered a new beginning in the seasonal cycle. Nature awakens to new life and new energies are released. In the Ayurvedic calendar, spring is the time of purification and new beginnings. Old things are stripped away, new things can blossom and help us to come into harmony. After a long, cold season, it is almost always a miracle how the whole of life regenerates. These forces also affect the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Recharge your batteries in spring and get rid of ballast
The transition from winter to spring is gradual. The first warmer days are initially followed by short winter dips before the sun wins again. From winter, Kapha still has an effect on us. The dosha of stabilization helps us to regenerate and should protect us from typical colds. With the first warmer days, Kapha slowly begins to subside. Vata and Kapha types are especially prone to colds during this time. Hot teas and hot spices help with this. As the days get longer, Vata continues to build up, and it also dominates the entire spring. It helps to mobilize new energies and regain strength.
The drive grows, the desire for change and dreams and plans come to the fore. You can use Vata to get rid of old things. The popular spring cleaning is based on Ayurvedic structures: letting go of the old, allowing the new and coming to terms with yourself. Now is the best time to clean out old cupboards, sort out old files or stop old habits. Listen to yourself: What do you need to be satisfied? What do you want to say goodbye to? Now is the time.
Rituals for the doshas in spring
The body also experiences a cleansing in spring, which you can support yourself with small Ayurvedic rituals:
- Start your morning ritual in the bathroom with oil pulling: Pull a tablespoon of sesame oil through your teeth and rinse your mouth with it for about 5 minutes before spitting the oil out again. Then clean your tongue and brush your teeth. You will stimulate all your taste senses and strengthen your gums and teeth.
- Kapha and Vata types should get out in the sun: the warmth and rays are good for reducing Kapha.
- With a round of yoga in the morning you can strengthen your forces and gain energy for the day.
- Pancha karma cures contribute to regeneration and new inner balance.
In the fight against spring fatigue
The decreasing Kapha affects our energy balance. Listlessness, fatigue and weakness are common symptoms, especially at the beginning of the spring season - called for short: Spring fatigue. Now it is especially good to go out into the fresh air a lot, and preferably in any weather. This increases Vata and counteracts spring fatigue. Furthermore, you can fight fatigue with the right diet. In winter, strong and hearty foods were good for the body. To calm the kapha dosha, warm and light foods are now suitable. Soups, vegetables and little meat promote the Vata and digestive fire Agni. Hot spices such as ginger, corkuma, cumin or pepperstimulate digestion. As the pitta dosha increases with the advancing season, the digestive fire decreases again. Therefore, on warm days we are less hungry and more inclined to eat light food. Accordingly, light meals can be maintained throughout the spring.
Spring is often used for fasting cures and diets. Purification is intended to cleanse the body of excess ama that has built up over the winter. The right foods and diet supportyou in this process:
- Drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of warm water daily. Water flushes toxins out of the body. You can refine it with ginger or lemon. It stimulates the metabolism.
- Fruits, rice, vegetables such as carrots, mung beans, asparagus, fennel, cucumber etc. are particularly good for detoxification.
- Avoid a hearty breakfast and instead eat energy-rich but light foods such as spelt porridge and fruit.
Keep a rhythm when taking meals. Do not eat too late and avoid late snacks in the evening. Bitter vegetables, herbs and spices - such as leafy vegetables, chicory, artichokes or fresh herbs - have a stimulating, draining and tissue-degrading effect on the metabolism. Meat, milk, alcohol and coffee should not be consumed at all or only in small quantities. They have a bad effect on the metabolism and promote the build-up of ama.
Welcoming life
Spring is basically a vitalising season that welcomes you into the new cycle of the year, just like all other living beings. Be aware of this for yourself. The new year gives you vitality to fulfil your dreams and to go your own way. You are part of a great cycle of life and are allowed to grow into something bigger and more beautiful. Go about your daily routine with this feeling of pure energy and life and feel the burgeoning power of Vata Dosha. The day will be successful for you.
