When it comes to Springtime, the sunshine, budding flowers and longer days can be wonderfully uplifting and the perfect tonic to Winter darkness.
This season, however, can also bring about allergies, changes in digestion, skin issues and other imbalances we didn’t count on. Thankfully, ancient wisdom traditions like Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine have an abundance of ways to remedy and calm any Springtime wellbeing issues, and we can start bringing them into our everyday lives right now for greater physical and emotional health. Read on to find out how to clear congestion, fire-up your digestion, and enhance your energy.
Ancient perspectives on health
Both Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) look to live in harmony with nature, changing daily routines according to the seasons, and focussing on different aspects of the body and mind throughout the year. According to Ayurveda, Spring is the season governed by Kapha energy. Kapha is one of three Ayurvedic doshas (or ‘types’) and consists of the qualities of growth, abundance, heaviness, softness, steadiness, slowness, coolness and the elements earth and water.
A balanced amount of Kapha energy is great; it allows us to heal, feel strong, gives us a strong immune system, well-lubricated joints, good reproductive health, and a calm, loving, caring attitude. An excessive amount of Kapha energy, however, can spill over into lethargy, water retention, congested lungs and sinus issues, unintended weight gain, puffiness, feeling unmotivated, sluggish digestion, low mood levels, attachment issues, and a need to hoard objects or comfort eat. Being the Kapha season, come Springtime we may experience a few of these issues, so it’s useful to know how to keep this type of energy in check.
Traditional Chinese Medicine sees Spring as the season of the Wood element, harnessing growth, abundance, fertility, creativity, growth, renewal, and emphasises the actions of cleansing during this time. According to TCM, the liver and gallbladder are at the peak of their function during Spring, so it’s the perfect time to start decongesting sinuses, caring for the lungs, getting lymph and blood moving, cleansing or fasting, and releasing emotions like anger, resentment, frustration, and long-held grudges.
Visiting an acupuncturist or Ayurvedic doctor at the beginning of Spring is a great way to check-in on where you may be out of balance, and how to optimise your mind-body health for this season. In the meantime, using marma and acupressure points is the perfect self-care practice to start in order to maintain balance!
5 key acupressure and Marma points for Springtime wellbeing
Acupressure Point CV17:
To find this point, run your fingers down your sternum until you find a small hollow ‘dip’ at the bottom. This is ‘conception vessel 17’ and plays a big role in the energy of the lungs. Pressing firmly here is helpful for clearing mucus from the lungs and opening the chest, and can really help enhance the feeling of being able to take full, deep breaths.
The Hridaya Marma Point & Thymus Thumping:
This is the point linked to Anahata the heart chakra, as well as circulation of blood, lymph and prana, and immune health. Find this point by pressing on the centre of your sternum. You can enhance this practice by tapping on the point to stimulate the thymus gland, known as the ‘thymus thump’ practice. Tapping on this point can help calm the nervous system, raise mood levels and strengthen the immune system, by releasing ‘T’ cells.
Acupressure Point ‘UB2 or ‘Zan Zhu’
You’ll find these points of the inner edge of each eyebrow. Use these points to clear sinus issues or relieve headaches. Press your index fingers on the points and breathe slowly through your nose.
Nabhi Marma Point
Nabhi is a key marma point for enhancing digestive power, this marma point is located at the navel. It is also said to be where the entire system of nadis (channels carrying prana throughout the subtle body) starts from. Use your fingers to gently massage your navel area in a clockwise circular motion, adding sesame or almond oil to calm anxiety, or aromatic essential oils like ginger or fennel to stimulate digestion.
Talahridaya Marma Point:
The centre of the hand is an important place for controlling the body’s subtle energy, and many healers, reiki practitioners or bodyworkers will rub their hands to ‘activate’ the flow of energy from them before a session. To enhance the flow of energy throughout your body, press your thumb into the centre of the opposite palm and massage the point firmly, adding eucalyptus or camphor oil to clear the respiratory system.
Give your health a boost in this class from Marcel van de Vis Heil
Related
- An introduction to Marma points
- Ayurvedic Springtime routines
- Five easy energy boosters
- Seasonal Cleanse with Ayurveda and yoga program
Main photo credit: Lyanne Keegstra
