Hello Spring

Seeds are sprouting, bees are buzzing and there’s a whisper of new beginnings blowing in the breeze.

We’ve waited patiently and it has finally arrived, with the spring equinox last week we are moving into the season of longer days and shorter nights.

I’ve put together a few tips on shedding the heaviness of winter, welcoming in spring and harnessing some of it’s renewed energy…

An obvious one, get outside!

Winter brings with it hibernation and an inward focus but we can allow ourselves to unfurl now, getting outdoors and filling our lungs with some of that fresh spring energy. You may even venture outdoors for your yoga practice, you might still need a few layers though!

Adjusting your yoga practice

Chest openers are a great way to reawaken and energise the body after the winter months, when we open through the chest we make space in the lungs to breathe deeply. Poses that involve back bends and twists all create that space for expansion. For a rejuvenating practice try reclined twists and seated twists such as ardha matsyendrasana (half Lord of the Fishes), chest opening back bends like bridge pose (setu bandhasana) and camel (ustrasana). And maybe a revolved boat pose (navasana) for some extra core work and heat building. As we feel ready to move more opting for an energising practice might include more flows and some sun salutations, always a positive way to start the day.

Breathwork

Surya bhedana pranayama (sun-piercing breath), involves breathing in through the right nostril (associated with the suns energising and heating qualities) and breathing out through the left. A good practice to do in the morning to wake up the body and mind.

Spring equinox is one of two days of the year where the day and night are equal lengths, some class this as the first day of spring and, as the days are now becoming longer than the nights, it’s a powerful time to let go of anything that’s no longer serving you and welcome in some of that spring energy and its new possibilities.