Happy Spring! Today is the vernal equinox for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. Vernal translates to “new” and “fresh,” and equinox is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).
Our hours of daylight have been growing slightly longer each day since the winter solstice in December, which was the shortest day of the year in terms of sunlight. The vernal equinox marks the turning point when daylight begins to win out over darkness. Yahoo!
As we come out of winter hibernation, you might be feeling a bit lethargic. Yoga's sister science, Ayurveda, which began about 5,000 years ago in India, is based on the belief that everything, including us, is made up of a unique mixture of five elements: fire, space, earth, water, and air. Combinations of these elements make up a dosha. There are three primary doshas: kapha, pitta, and vata.
The dosha that is typically associated with spring, kapha, is a combination of the elements of earth and water. People whose primary dosha is kapha tend to be consistent, devoted, emotionally and physically stable, and strong. Signs of imbalance for kapha include procrastination, difficulty paying attention, weight gain, bloating, dullness, and congestion.
As we enter this time of growth and renewal, stimulating yoga practices like sun salutations, backbends, and vigorous breathing exercises can help bring enthusiasm, heat, and focus. If you're feeling sluggish, check out this yoga class that I posted on YouTube to get your blood pumping. I hope you enjoy it.
Another great way to balance kapha is to eat lighter foods like fruits and vegetables. If you'd like tips to eat more whole, plant-based foods, check out our post from earlier this month that includes a free ebook for healthy swaps you can make to improve your diet.