Here in Austin, the earth awakens. Green grass has started to grow over the cracks in the earth in my backyard. The red buds have blossomed again and the once naked elm tree branches have burst with buds. On my drive this morning I even saw the first bluebonnets of the season! Spring is my favorite season of the year (not just because I am an Aries) because there is a feeling that we can also bloom again. With all that is happening in our world it would be easy to overlook the hope spring offers, but who of us couldn’t benefit from the sun shining on their face?
In Ayurveda this seasonal change is an invitation for us to clear, cleanse, and reawaken. The energy of structure and growth (Kapha) dominant within our environment not only contributes to the spring flowers but also the excess pollen and allergens in the air. Excess Kapha can lead to imbalances like seasonal allergies, congestion, slow digestion, fatigue, and stagnation.
The astrological new year, beginning with Aries season (March 20 - April 19) on the Spring Equinox, adds to the energy. Aries represents new beginnings, initiation, and leadership. Symbolized by the Ram and ruled by the planet Mars, Aries has a fiery and driven nature. Jyotish, vedic astrology, states this is the perfect time to set intentions, start new projects, and take the initiative in your life.
Just as Aries season calls us to take bold action, Ayurveda teaches us to clear stagnation and align with nature’s rhythms. How do we embody this in daily life? By shifting our lifestyle, self-care, and diet to match the season’s energy.
Ayurvedic Guide to Spring
After a season of darkness and stillness our bodies naturally crave more movement and invigoration. Ayurveda offers guidance on how to shift our lifestyle, self-care practices and diet with the season.
Vihara | Lifestyle
Start your day with dry brushing and gua shua to improve lymphatic drainage
Scrape your tongue before brushing your teeth to remove ama (toxins)
Take morning walks
Try warming pranayama (breath practices) like Kappalbhati (skull shining breath), Ujjayi (breath of victory), or Bhramari (bees breath)
Favor Vinyasa style yoga like sun salutations and invigorating poses like twists, backbends, and inversions
Sweat daily
Bath in warm water
Notice springtime in your environment and slow down to appreciate it
Give gratitude regularly
Tend to your altar and add spring offerings
Ahara | Food
Eat bitter, pungent and astringent foods (dry, light)
Use spices such as coriander, turmeric, fennel and cumin in your food to pacify Kapha
Favor seasonal produce from the farmers market like citrus, berries, and vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and squash
Avoid hard to digest and heavy foods
Avoid cold, viscous, heavy, sour, sweet taste because these will increase kapha
Drink warm water and herbal teas like ginger tea or cumin, coriander and fennel tea
As we prepare to celebrate Spring Equinox this week on March 20th I have been incorporating lots of these practices into my routine. It felt so good to prioritize cleaning my home, weeding my herb garden, and reorganizing my closet this weekend. I also took some time to reflect and look back at some of the intentions I set this time last year (I have been keeping a journal for 10+ years). So many intentions came to fruition (“I’ve graduated from MIU with my M.S. in Maharishi Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine”, “my friendships are nourishing”, “I am serving more people and it does not drain me because I have good energetic boundaries.”). While other intentions had to be cleared to focus my energy (“I wrote a new online course”). I realized that just like nature, we shed layers of ourselves to make space for new growth. Now for the first time all year, I feel excited to dream, visualize the year ahead, and set new goals — personally and professionally.
Join Me This Spring: Events & Retreats for Renewal
What are you shedding? What are you stepping into? I’d love to support you whether that’s for a class, 1:1 yoga therapy, or a retreat.
🌿 If you’re in Austin — Celebrate the Spring Equinox on Thursday, March 20th with Jessica Zarrowitz and I at the Practice Yoga Church. We’ll gather to practice seasonally specific Yoga, create a seasonal altar, and drink Ayurvedic tea. This is our third year hosting this magical event. You do not want to miss it!
✈️ Looking for deep renewal? Experience the rejuvenation of an all inclusive yoga retreat. Escape the noise, reconnect with yourself, and return refreshed. My 2025 retreats are designed to nourish your mind, body, and spirit—immersing you in nature, mindfulness, and deep rest. Limited spots remain for our transformational retreats in the Texas Hill Country, Lake Michigan, and Bali. Will you claim your space?
However you choose to embrace the season, may it be full of energy, ease, and joy
Love and Yoga,
Kaytee