There is something about the spring that has always been magical for me. Of course, living in California brings with it the blessing of an almost perpetual spring but there is something powerful in the energy of renewal that this season brings with it. It’s a time for cleaning out and starting fresh, at home, in the body and in the spirit. Spring is a time of balance between the winter and summer. It’s an opportunity to put things in perspective and prioritize. It has also occurred to me that being seven and a half months pregnant might have something to do with the sudden sense of perspective and clarity I’m feeling. Pregnancy has brought with it a strengthened awareness of my health and the impact my thoughts and actions have on it. I have come to see that health and wellness are simply a state of balance. When that balance is disturbed, health is disturbed, whether it’s emotional, physical or spiritual health. They all go hand in hand and we can’t have one without the others. Most importantly, I’ve realized that health is a responsibility we all have to our selves, our loved ones and the planet.

This issue offers some valuable perspectives on maintaining health, both on an individual and a global level. In this month’s cover story, the father and Daughter team of Heidi Jo and Dr. Gerald F. Corey share their insight on the four most important factors that influence wellness and how to keep them in balance. There are seasonal resources on Ayurveda and aromatherapy for the springtime as well as a feature on the far-reaching value of exposing children to nature and the outdoors. You’ll find a delicious recipe for a classic Indian dish, some great Mother’s Day gift ideas and casual spring fashions. Sandra J.S. Bean provides an important feature for this month’s Healthy Yogi article on the impact of our natural and holistic healthcare choices on indigenous cultures and remote regions from which most of the herbal products we consume come. I think that this issue provides a broad sense of perspective on personal and global wellness, showing how we are all interconnected. In a sense, we are all our brothers’ keepers. In taking care and being responsible for ourselves we are contributing to the overall wellness of humanity. It is the consummate example of thinking globally and acting locally. I’m confident that you will find inspiration and enjoyment in these pages and I encourage you to send your comments and impressions to us at info@yogitimes.com.