Check out our Spring guide!

How to get (and keep) the spring in your step!

 With this article we wanted to support and encourage you to take advantage of the wonderful season of spring and all its benefits.

At last the pull of winter slowly diminishes; the Sun is showing her radiance and our bodies are beginning to thaw. In both mind and body you can feel something shifting, there is a sense of wonderment as summer beckons. However, before springing into action, it is important that you consider spring as a valuable window of opportunity and get the most from it.

Seasonal Offerings

Spring is a delicate season and requires a gentle approach. This helps for a smooth transition between the cold of winter and the warmth of summer. When young buds and shoots have the right temperature, water and nutrients they flourish, showcasing their wonderment right through summer.

In order for you to maintain strength during the warmer months, spring is the time to prepare. The rising temperature and humidity during this season brings with it associated kapha symptoms that are a good indicator that it may be time for a spring cleanse :) As the snow on the mountain tops melt, so too the body naturally wants to release any unwanted congestion that may have accumulated over the colder winter months. Spring allergies and mucous are signs of excess kapha and mean that the body might be need a little extra help. The good news is by harmonising your diet and lifestyle with nature you can keep the spring in your step.

Spring Diet

As the temperature rises during spring and summer the body requires less protein and fats for insulation, so oily heavy foods are no longer the order of the day. Spring foods provide the right balance of microbes that are necessary to support immunity, digestion, mood and energy. This helps to reset blood sugar levels and balance fat stores.

You may notice that your appetite naturally reduces a little at this time of year and this is your body’s way of telling you it needs to reset and cleanse. Green smoothies and juices are your allies as they open the channels of elimination, which helps to balance mucous production and maintain internal moisture levels for cellular harmony.

Meal choices may include a light breakfast of fresh fruit and herbal tea and for lunch cooked grains, astringent vegetables and legumes will provide nutritional substance. Snacking between meals is best avoided and reducing bread and dairy products is a wise approach. Include plenty of fresh leafy green vegetables and light grains enhanced with the pungent flavours of onions, garlic, and ginger with a healthy pinch of culinary herbs and spices. Bitter roots and astringent flavours are also more suited during this time of year.

Hints and tips at home

Tune into your hunger by listening to your bodily sensations and avoid overeating.

Spring is associated with Kapha qualities which are heavy, cold and oily. So try to add foods to your diet that will counter balance these such as bitter, astringent and pungent.

If possible, eat lighter at breakfast and evening meals, taking more of your nutrition from your mid day meal.

Herbal teas containing cleansing herbs such as dandelion and nettle are great at this time of the year.

A great spring cleanse that we use is - green smoothie for breakfast followed by kitchari for lunch and then either kitchari again or veggies with a light grain or quinoa for your evening meal. Follow this for 3 to 7 days with plenty of herbal teas.

Yoga asana can be practiced with a deeper intention, gently hold poses slightly longer than normal to challenge yourself. If the body allows, back bends and arching poses can be emphasised as yoga asana becomes more stimulating, practiced with greater momentum. Pranayama can be deeper, exercising greater use of the diaphragm, by applying a fuller breath, aiding the detoxification process.

Our favourite spring herbs:

Guggul formula – combing the congestion and lymph clearing properties of guggul with Triphala this is a great choice for a spring cleanse.

Triphala – great gentle detox for all seasons and is ideal as part of a cleanse

Detox tea – containing nature’s super cleansing herbs - dandelion and nettle, Detox tea gently supports the body’s natural detoxification process. Drink as an everyday tea or as part of your spring cleanse.

Liv clean – healthy liver function is vital for the detox process. Naturally support the liver – one of the hardest working organs in the body - during spring time.

Kapha lymph oil – this is our favourite oil for all body types during spring. Great at this time of year for combating skin dryness whilst also encouraging improved lymph circulation.

To Conclude

We urge that you don’t miss out on this wonderful cleansing opportunity; Mother Nature is giving you all the signs to remind you. All you have to do is align with her message and enjoy the benefits.