Here in North Carolina, our Spring Season is in full effect! Baby animals are hopping and walking about, butterflies flying through the air, and the flowers and trees are blossoming, sharing their pollen with us all...on our cars, walkways, and in our sinus and nasal passages.
If you're an allergy sufferer, like me, although Spring is visually appealing, physically it can be very unappealing! Many of my students and clients are sniffling, have runny eyes and noses, and sound congested. I wake up in a similar way, but there are practices I maintain to help reduce the impact the seasonal change has on my body. You can adopt some of the below holistic practices and Spring just might become your favorite season once again ;) Neti Pot or Saline Spray- Either method clears the sinus cavity of built-up mucus due to cold, flu, sinusitis, etc. and allows for the fluid to flow better. Massage Therapy- Monthly massages are wonderful at reducing any kind of stress, including that which our body goes through with the change of the seasons. A professional therapist can incorporate massage specifically for your sinuses and lymph system to aid in better movement of fluids throughout your body, thus making it easier on your body as you transition into the stuffy Kapha season. Aromatherapy- Essential oils such as Eucalyptus and Peppermint are good for clearing up sinus congestion. These and any other kind of mint oil are also very cooling, making their use quite appropriate as we move toward the warmer months. Local Honey- The more local, the better. By ingesting just a teaspoon daily, it helps build your immunity to the pollen that's swarming in the air around you as it is made from similar flowers that bloom in your area. I enjoy it in my morning herbal tea...another a holistic remedy for allergy sufferers. I mentioned "Kapha season" above... In Ayurveda, the Indian medical system, a natural, holistic-based system, it's how they primarily refer to the Spring season. Kapha is made up of the elements Earth and Water...We have excess of this during Spring as it is needed for everything to grow and blossom, but too much of those things together can create mud and muck, putting a stop to fluidity. This translates to our bodies when we have a buildup of mucus. The above practices are just some of the many holistic methods you can do in order to aid in reducing a buildup of muck in your body. Want to know more? I'm offering a workshop at Lotus Living Arts Studio on Saturday, April 23rd, 1-3pm. Cost is $10 preregistration, $15 at the door. There will be a Yoga Practice, journaling exercise, and Ayurvedic discussion to help educate on balancing your body through this change of the season. Maybe you'll come out of the "Winter cave" once and for all? ;) You can sign-up for my workshop here: Spring Seasonal Flow Look forward to seeing you there!! Be well and thanks for reading :) Om shanti, Christina |
Author-Christina is a Bodywork Therapist and Yoga Teacher in the Charlotte, NC area with a passion for writing. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog!! Archives
August 2019
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