Dear friends,
I hope this message finds you well.
I hear so many clients say that the late winter / early spring is a challenging time of year emotionally and physically -- but it honestly doesn't have to be!
This week, I'm sharing a few principles for awakening your body's intelligence with Ayurveda for late winter / early spring.
Learning to align with these cycles can invite a powerful force of renewal and inspiration in your life that may surprise you on many levels.
I love hearing your feedback on how this lands with you.
Have a great weekend and see you soon.
With love,
Briya
What happens to my bodyin late winter?
Ayurveda principles for well-being & body intuition:::
In late winter as temperatures begin to rise,
your body begins a powerful processof release and detoxification
to prepare itself for spring.
To make the shift
from colder to warmer temperatures,
your body makes the shift from storing insulating fats (winter)
to wanting to release fats and stored toxins (spring).
This makes this time of year an ideal time to shift your habits,
to start a new diet
& lose weight
(if you know how to work with these energies).
Is what I'm noticing normal?
At this time of year, it is natural to experience a loss of appetite for a few weeks.
You may also experiencea change in bowel movements+ feelings of heaviness and sluggishness in your body.
This is a sign that your bodyis beginning has to release fat / toxins,and undergo a natural detoxification process for spring.
This is also why many traditional cultures will fast at this time of year(think Lent in the Christian tradition).
What you experience depends on your body-type::
We are not all created equal, & how you experience this season will depend on your body-type...
- The Kapha type (Earth/Water)will typically find this season more challenging than others,and may feel more heavy, slow and sluggish.
If Kapha is high, you can experience fatigue or flu-like symptoms,or suffer from slow metabolism & seasonal depression.
- Pitta types (Fire/Water) will often be more sensitiveto congestion in the liver / metabolism than other types,which can leave them feeling more frustrated and irritable than usual.
- Vata types (Air/Ether) will usually find this season comfortable,as they don't usually have a lot of extra body fat to release,and typically enjoy themes of extra moisture and heaviness....
You may feel that you relate with all of the elements, since we are all a combination...
What's going on with my emotions?
All body-types will wantto pay special attention to emotional health this month.
Because your body is seeking to let go of the winter,it is sometimes common to experience feelingsof irritability, frustration or self-criticism.
Try not to take it personally!These emotions tell us that your bodyis seeking extra support to releasestored winter fats and toxins& that an adjustment to diet and lifestyle is needed.
Here a few principles that can help you feel your best:
Lifestyle tips:
Try to wake up before sunrise every day (increases energy + makes you feel lighter)
Daily breathing exercises & gentle stretching aids gentle release of stagnant energy & emotions
Get sunshine on your skin dailyVigorous exercise is an excellent way to move the stagnant lymph -- including walking, hiking, dancing and gym timeSweating in all forms is recommended - such as saunas & hot baths
Keep nasal passages open using a neti pot and/or nasya oil, or using eucalyptus oil or pine
Dry brushing (especially for kapha dosha) + self-massage is beneficial to move stagnation
Go to bed by 10 pm
What about my diet?
This is a good time of year to minimize fats, sweets & dairy -- this should feel easy right now
If you lose your appetite, you can fast from grains and sugar for a few days
Steamed greens are excellent -- as are beets, red lentils and mung beans
Raw local honey helps scrape fat from the digestive tract
Pungent teas & spices to boost metabolism and clear congestion: cumin, ginger, cayenne, peppermint, nettles & green tea
Triphala is a great herbal formula which supports gentle detox, better digestion and lean body mass
Curious to learn more?
Join our upcoming series on Ayurveda here
About the Author Â
Briya Freeman has been creating spaces for healing and spiritual awakening since 2011. She is passionate about exploring the potentials of human consciousness in a way that unites and transcends global culture. Her background includes 20+ years of study and practice in hatha yoga, Ayurveda, Breathontology, meditation, bioenergetics and shamanism.
As a teacher, she is known for an approach that is down-to-earth, intuitive and deeply seated. She can be reached at hello@briyafreeman.com
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