When the rhythms of your life do not align with the rhythms and cycles of nature, toxins are inevitable.

Spring is here and after a long winter of eating heavy comfort foods most people want to feel the quality of lightness and clarity in their body and mind again. The cleansing procedures of Ayurveda are called Panchakarma and they were originally created for Indian royalty to extend longevity. If you are feeling blocked, experiencing fatigue or heaviness, depression, poor digestion, insomnia, allergies, arthritis, or have a thick coating on your tongue, it’s a pretty good indication you have stored toxins or ama, as Ayurveda calls it.

Panchakarma is a process of cleansing the body’s deep tissues of these toxins that can accumulate over time due to over-eating, indigestion, polluted air, water, and food laced with man-made chemicals and pesticides. These Impurities are stored in the tissues and fat cells, where they can remain forever and wreak havoc unless periodically flushed out.

Each procedure is designed to go deep within, nourish the body and coax it into releasing its waste and toxicity. Panchakarma is a process that typically begins with diet modifications 7 to 10 days prior to coming for treatments. It is important in this preparation phase that a person’s activity shifts to become more internally-focused. This means letting go of day-to-day activities and turning your awareness inward. Ayurveda teaches that deep relaxation is needed in order for the person to let go and release the stored waste.

Every person will require a different approach and different treatments depending on what their constitution is, what their imbalances are, how old they are and many other factors. The 3+ hours of pleasant, relaxing therapies each day are designed to induce a profound state of tranquility. They consist of abhyanga, (think warm, nurturing, herbal oil massage) Shirodhara, (warm oil steadily flowing over the head) and swedana (herbalized steam bath.)

The key to balancing Kapha (dosha most prevalent in spring)  is stimulation, so exercise is most important in spring.   Look for ways to get out more and be physically active in whatever activity you enjoy. Look for ways to add new experiences to life. Move the sluggishness out and life force in.

Sleeping in is not advised.  Better to rise early. From 6 am to 10 am Kapha (the qualities of heavy and dull) are most dominant. Sleeping during this time only intensifies these qualities. In Ayurveda like attracts like and opposites balance. Rise early and move physically and you’ll experience more energy and vitality in your body and mind.

Take a Kapha-pacifying diet in spring. Over eating is the biggest mistake during this time of year, especially if you are a Kapha type or have a Kapha imbalance. In general, anything that is hot and light is good, while anything that is cold, heavy or sweet is not so good. Small, lighter meals are better and will promote better digestion.

The best taste to reduce in spring is sweet.  Avoid ice cream, sugary desserts, butters, breads. Favor warm, light foods. The bests tastes are pungent, bitter and astringent. So favor vegetables like asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, leafy greens, okra, potatoes, spinach. Good fruit choices include: apples, pears, pomegranates, dried fruit in general is good. Favor grains like: barley, corn and rye and reduce oats, rice and wheat. Reducing all red meat and seafood is usually advised when aiming to lighten the body and mind.