In this inception article of our Blog and Newsletter, we will look at springtime and daily practices for this transition. Because we live in the eastern part of the United states and it is best to talk about what you know, we will have a special focus on the climate of Asheville, NC and the temperate southeastern states.

This is the season of blooming flowers, rains and sporadic warm days in the temperate and often moody southern Appalachian Mountains. In the ancient texts of Ayurvedic medicine, the spring tie was named Vasanta. This time of year is described at Kapha provoking and Pitta accumulating. The persistent rain and cold weather alternating with the warm sunny days bringing a mix of qualities such as wet, heavy, cloudy, and mobile mobile alongside warm, bright, and clear. The Rutu sandhi (seasonal transition) that is upon us in the mountains of western North Carolina becomes especially moody during this time. According to Ayurveda, this transitional time lasts an average of four weeks. Starting two or so weeks before spring and lasting two or so weeks into spring. The Spring equinox is wonderful marker of the change for us in North Carolina. It brings an opportunity to transition our routine from the winter that lays behind us into the coming spring before us.

We each have our own unique rhythm to our lives. When we sleep, what we eat, how we organize, is created through the flow of our days. Naturally, our rhythm should be in harmony with the world around us. Ayurveda sheds light on this by offering ways to tune in and listen to the rhythms of nature. This wisdom is shared as the teaching of Dinacharya (daily routine), which encourage a routine that supports optimal lifestyle and self-care practices. Dinacharya balances our unique constitution to the daily rhythms of nature and the changing seasons.

Every month we will be sharing recipes, herbs and self-care practices that help facilitate awareness and balance to the changing seasons. In our first two articles we will be discussing Neti Pot usage and share our recipe for the ayurvedic tea blend of Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel (CCF Tea). Later in the month we will release an article all about the herbal usage of Cumin seed.