Cultivating the air element to bring balance in spring.

air-inspired rituals for creativity, nourishment and renewal.

“With your fragrance in the air, I give my love to the wind.”  Rumi.

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In my earlier post about the air element, I referred to spring as being a ‘kapha’ season according to the ancient Indian health system, Ayurveda, i.e. it is the time of year that is governed by the earth and water elements as the ground begins to warm and thaw. The weather here in the UK this spring has been decidedly ‘up and down’, and at times has not felt as though it is getting incrementally warmer at all, with lots of grey, windy, inclement days.

Grey skies with a hint of blue over the beginnings of the wisteria in bloom on our balcony.

I spoke with Margherita Dal Pra, yoga teacher and self-care coach, who explained that the seasons in the UK are mutable and undefined, with us often experiencing multiple seasons in a day. It is certainly not as straight-forward as putting away our winter clothes on the first day of meterological spring on 1st March..!

Accordingly, Margherita suggests adapting to the unpredictable UK climate using the wisdom of Ayurveda by always practising opposites to create balance; to foster a gentle, nurturing feeling that she describes as the “hugging mother”, thus promoting ‘ojas’ (luscious abundant energy within us).

For example, open the windows but keep a blanket or warm socks handy; light candles to keep a sense of cosiness even as the days lengthen; have a green smoothie (if you want!) but add coconut oil.

Grey skies and May blooms.

Now we have reached mid-May, I am finding that there is something softer about the combination of rain and sunshine. The downpours are heavy, but there is a warmth to the sun when it appears between cool cloudbursts and the outside world is surging with life.

Growth and colour in the garden.

I felt the heaviness of the dense, moist earth squelch beneath my feet during my trips to woods this week, where the layered green canopy stencils a soft, dappled light on the ground. We made it through the muddy pathways to the wisteria-laden cafe, a breathtaking sight dripping in purple blooms and a welcome, dry pitstop from the oozy mud under foot.

Wisteria in bloom at the café in Highgate Wood.

The warming earth is providing the perfect grounding for the opening of petals, the unfurling of fern tendrils, the sprouting of leaves and the budding of roses. It feels verdant, rich and alive out there.

And although I am of course, fully on board with the vibrancy of the season, I recognise that there is a need to find balance, and perhaps a sense of lightness amongst the weighty, lush fecundity in order to grow upwards towards the light, and bloom.

Growth and greenery in the garden.

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Here are some simple air-inspired rituals you can do at home to bring balance this spring…