Hi Reader,

Weekly Musings:

Oil, Light and the Turning of the Seasons

The light has been changing this week.

Here in Northern California, the mornings are warmer and brighter, the evenings stretch a little longer, and the air carries that unmistakable feeling that something is shifting. My orange tree has only a few oranges left hanging, and my apple and fig trees are beginning to push out their first green shoots.

You can read the full post here.​

Nature is starting to bloom again as the days swing between warm sun and chilly wind, and the body is quietly trying to keep up.

This Friday, March 20, at 7:46 a.m., we reach the March Equinox—the moment when day and night are equal and the seasonal tide officially turns toward spring.

In Ayurveda, this particular seasonal transition is considered one of the most challenging of the year for the body.

Not because anything is wrong.

But because everything is changing at once.

The Ayurvedic Lens

Winter is governed by kapha—the qualities of heaviness, moisture, and stability. Over the colder months, those qualities naturally accumulate in the body. They are protective and necessary. They help us rest, repair, and store energy.

But when the weather begins to warm, that accumulated kapha starts to melt and mobilize, much like snow beginning to thaw.

This is why early spring is often associated with:

• congestion
• sluggish digestion
• seasonal allergies
• fatigue
• brain fog
• emotional heaviness

In classical Ayurvedic texts, this period is described as a time when the body is working hard to clear what winter stored.

It is also why gentle, supportive daily practices matter so much right now.

One of the simplest and most powerful is abhyanga, the practice of warm oil self-massage. You can read my full guide here.

Food / Practice as Medicine

Abhyanga is beautifully simple.

Before bathing or showering, you massage warm oil over the body—traditionally sesame oil or an herbalized oil—using slow, rhythmic strokes. Even five minutes can make a difference.

It nourishes the skin, muscles, joints, and nervous system at the same time.

In Ayurveda, oil is considered deeply grounding and stabilizing, which is especially helpful when the external environment is in flux.

Regular abhyanga is traditionally said to:

• support circulation and lymphatic movement
• calm the nervous system
• lubricate joints and tissues
• improve sleep
• soften and nourish the skin
• support detoxification during seasonal transitions

During the spring shift, it acts almost like an anchor for the body.

Instead of pushing through the seasonal turbulence, we give the nervous system a simple message:

You are safe, supported, and resourced.

A Note for Pregnancy

Because pregnancy is becoming a central pillar of my work, I also want to name how beautiful this practice can be during that time.

Pregnancy asks the body to expand, stretch, and reorganize at a remarkable pace. Gentle oil massage can support:

• skin elasticity as the belly grows
• circulation and lymph flow
• the lower back and hips
• nervous system regulation
• deeper rest and sleep

Many pregnant women find that abhyanga becomes a daily ritual of connection—a moment to slow down and acknowledge the profound work the body is doing, and a way to connect more deeply with the growing baby within.

And of course, it’s just as valuable for those who are not pregnant. Our nervous systems are all living through seasons, transitions, and demands.

Oil is one of the simplest ways we remember how to care for ourselves.

Without perfection.
Without complexity.

Just warmth, touch, and attention.

A Reflection

Where might your body be asking for more nourishment as the season shifts?

Not more effort.

More nourishment.

Optional Seasonal Offering

If you're curious about incorporating more Ayurvedic seasonal rhythm into your life—or if you are navigating pregnancy and want personalized support—this is the kind of work I love to explore with people.

I have also been making a small batch of Abhyanga oil from my home “pharmacy.”
Bottles are $20 plus shipping.

Reply to this email if you'd like a bottle or two, or you can pick one up at any of the FolkYoga locations.

They will also be available soon on my Etsy shop.

Want to Go Deeper?

You’re always welcome to:

• Book a free intro call​
• Reply to this email and share what resonated
• Join one of my classes or workshops​

I read every message that comes through.

Warmly,
Marisa

P.S.
I’ll also be teaching a Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training for the first time in eight years. It’s a newly updated program beginning May 22 in San Francisco and is Yoga Alliance approved. If you’re interested in teaching prenatal yoga—or supporting pregnant students with more skill and confidence—you can learn more here.​