“The rivers are swollen with snowmelt, and the sap is starting to run in the trees. All the moisture that was bound by freezing temperatures is now moving to clear winter stagnation.”
-Cara Barstrom.
Just as nature is starting to unfold from its slumber, our bodies start to crave a sense of lightning and clearing. As the river runs more deep and clear, the body starts to break down all of the stagnation which was created in winter, carving new pathways for vitality and a healthy abundant of Ojas. This is an important time to really learn from natures rhythms, study her evolution and spend more time outside basking in her greatness. Start to feed the digestive fires and encourage the body’s natural cleansing this time of the year with bitter, astringent, and pungent foods and adding in seasonal greens, bright berries, spicy soups (my favorite), fresh ginger, and fresh turmeric.
Everything takes time to grow, it takes patience, purification, and never-ending devotion with the deepest sense of compassion. The lessons that spring can bring are endless as we transition to seeing beauty and growth in every corner we see. Can we learn from our mother and be in cycle with her, so our bodies heal in the most potent way? Be gentle here and start to really stoke your
fire. Exercise daily, especially outdoors and feel yourself cleanse with the sweat. Massage the body with almond oil or grapeseed, rejuvenate the moisture that the skin craves and also dry brush the body weekly before bathing. Wake up with the sun and wind down with the moon, fill your days with life so you only eat when hungry. Most importantly, to stay balanced and supported through spring, drink tulsi, ginger, or the Spring Detox tea daily.
I’m going to share with you all the detox tea. To me, keeping myself hydrated and my digestive fires supported is what gets me out of this heavy energy that can linger from the winter. It’s time to shed and bloom, move past this slow, sticky, and even lethargic state and start to put all of my effort into my days. Planting seeds of intention so they grow with the nature around me. This tea will help with any feeling of sluggishness and really get your digestive system into gear. We are only as healthy mentally as our gut, right? So, for this season, stay light, warmed, and stay with what’s in season to eat. I hope you all enjoy this beautiful transition.
Let’s get growing
Spring Detox Tea
2 cups filtered water
1-2 inches of fresh gingerroot
1-2 anise stars (depending on your liking to licorice)
3 cloves
3 peppercorns
1 tsp cinnamon powder
Start by putting the crushed or not crushed spices (except cinnamon) in a small saucepan, medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes to dry roast. Then add the water and cinnamon and bring to boil. Simmer 10-20 mins. Strain and enjoy! This season is a time to cut back on the sweets. If you absolutely need something in the tea, put 1-2 tsp of honey.
About the Author
Chelsea Shapouri is a Lifestyle Consultant for women and an Elemental Yoga Instructor based in Santa Cruz, CA. In her work, she offers Ayurvedic lifestyle modalities, Yoga, Breath work, Meditations, and Ayurvedic Recipes. Every client and student is rare and special to her. Chelsea’s mission is to find their unique rhythm, their primal-natural state, and from there support them with techniques and recipes that are meant for their bio-individuality. Harmony for the emotional body, physical body, and mental state is the embodiment she lives by and wishes to offer. Bringing people back home to themselves with techniques they can simply do themselves is what she lives for. The art of service is the art of love and she shares what has helped her heal for the hope to help others heal. Stay connected to Chelsea and read her story through social media or her website: https://primal-harmony.com/
