Spring Vitality practice.

Spring Vitality practice.

At the moment when dandelions begin to find their first leaves, and elm trees push forth buds you may find yourself also feeling the urge to evolve. It makes sense that the changing seasons would influence our life patterns. Diet and lifestyle tend to adapt with the fluctuations in temperature, daylight, and activity level.

Traditionally, when our diets were more closely related to local grow seasons, spring naturally functioned as a time of detox. The cold and harsh winter of many northern environments is not conducive to growing leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits. Therefore meats, and starches such as potatoes, and grains were usually consumed as accessible staples.

These foods although heavy, and calorie providing do not contain the phytochemical, mineral and vitamin make up essential for detox. This may be one reason the first herbs to appear in spring are known for their detoxification benefits.

On a walk around Denver Colorado’s suburban areas during spring, one will notice yellow docks thick waxy leaves, yarrows delicate frame, the musty smell of white top mustard and of course dandelions recognizable flower. Forging these herbs is exactly what nature intends, therefor consuming these medicines will bolster your health as the days grow longer, and the sun hotter.

Combining 1 tablespoon dandelion leaf, with ½ a tablespoon of yellow dock root, ½ tablespoon of yarrow, and 1 tablespoon of burdock root, is an excellent early spring detox formula.

Drinking two shot glasses of this blend a day will do wonders for the liver, skin, and digestive track helping to clear the blood, and gut of any stagnancy. If drinking during a spring fast, the medicine can be even more effective.

Fasting is one of the greatest and most accessible medicines to ever exist. Since the dawn of humanity, the power of simply not consuming, or only consuming certain rejuvenating foods, has been recorded by several healers, and scholars across cultures.

When fasting the body is able to find a place of natural homeostasis without the interference of sugars in the blood. When insulin, a protein vital for absorbing sugar from the blood is present, growth hormone as well as a variety of other endocrine functions are stunted. Therefor fasting leads to increased detoxification, tissue repair, clearing of inflammatory compounds from the blood, and general system homeostasis.

The process of digestion not only takes a lot of energy but has the potential to damage the gut. By simply giving our digestion body a break several resources are reallocated allowing for increased recovery. Before our modern era it was uncommon to consume large meals three or more times a day, and because of this our bodies evolved to function best with momentary breaks also known as intermittent fasting.

This is a method defined by periodic eating windows without snaking in between. Allowing blood sugar levels to remain stable, and hormonal functions balanced. Fasting for longer than 12-24 hours may become detrimental to health and is not necessary to gain the benefits of this practice.

As the season shifts, it may be hard to pin down exactly what type of food is desired due to the fluctuations in temperature. Continuing with the theme of detox, salads and soups containing cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, onions, and spinach cannot be overlooked. Each of these vegetables is high in sulfur content a nutrient vital for detox.

Furthermore, vegetables high in iron such as spinach, beats, and yams are also essential for detox, as iron is used by our liver to cleanse the blood. Since iron is used by blood cells to transport oxygen, female bodied folks especially those with a heavy cycle should remain aware of their iron consumption. As chronic low iron levels known as anemia, can affect the body dramatically.

Causing low energy levels, labored breathing, heavy and irregular menses, weekend immune, fainting, and inhibited hormonal function. Consuming a dark green iron rich tea of nettle, yellow dock, alfalfa, and moringa can make a world of difference.

If meat is an option, organ meats can be made very tolerable when cooked, and seasoned well, and their benefits cannot be overstated. Consuming just organ meat twice a month has been found to reduce symptoms of anemia substantially. This is due to their extreme nutrient quality and is often consumed by pro-athletes for this reason.

Encouraging our vitality also comes from the practices we do weekly. Spring naturally allows for more daylight hours, and there for the consumption of more sunlight. Vitamin D is essential to detoxification as well as several other related processes of the body.

The early morning spring air is stimulating for the cardiovascular system, just taking time to stand and take 30 deep breaths of the brisk air is stimulating for circulation. Breathing is a powerful tool of detox, channeling breath into yoga, meditation or tai chi may increase its benefits even further.

As the season begins with the zodiac sign Aries, practicing a visualization of red, gold, or white aura can further activate one’s psyche to reach goals, and desired achievements of the year. As spiring can be likened to a launch pad, the steps taken in those months often translate into the momentum we carry till the end of the year.

Spring is a season of new life, and likewise rebirth. We can use this natural cycle to our personal advantage and manifest our own fruits into our lives. Keeping a journal to record goals, and vital steps at this time can help to materialize success in the multiple dimensions of our lives.

Feeding passion and cultivating motivation is essential while pursuing your goals, a spiritual practice can make the work easier by giving it clear intention in your life. Crafting or revamping an alter during the spring will help to enliven oneself as well as their space during the season. Placing a few Spring related items such as plant material, feathers, or bones around a glass of water, and green candle is a good way to invite springs prosperity into your life.

Taking a few moments, a day to stand in front of your alter to remind yourself of the goals you are working towards will help maintain focus. Using a bundle of sweetgrass or sage smoke to cleanse your aura, while visualizing all obstacles being removed from your path.

The age-old maxim is applipicable here, as whatever we are focused on we are sure to manifest into our lives. Therefor when one’s vision is focused and cultivated there is no doubt, they will achieve what ever they are striving for.