With the last bits of snow dotting our landscape, we welcome Spring. We celebrate regrowth from the dormancy of the winter months. The winter is vital for our next season. In winter, we hunker down to dream, envision, and plan. We draw our selves inward for self reflection and introspection. We also give our bodies time to rest, recuperate, and prepare for all the bursting forth that comes with spring. Sharing a wonderful post from a yogi friend named Jesse. I read part of this in class and thought it perfect to share again with the world.
Nature is a lovely metaphor. With the coming of the Vernal Equinox, it’s time for a rebirth. As the dark, cold days of Winter have breathed their final breaths for this trip around the Sun, the melting of the remnant snow takes with it anything which may have put a freeze on our lives. With growing sunlight each and every day, the life force energy impregnates the Northern Hemisphere, and we can sense the time is ripe for planting seeds.
Before you get to planting, take care to do a little Spring cleaning first. Wipe away anything which no longer serves your well-being, all the way down to the level of your thoughts. This week is the perfect time to do so, because with next week’s new moon (the first of the Spring), there could hardly be a better time to set your intentions for the entire Spring! Don’t let this year become another wasted opportunity to truly pursue your passions.
Once you’ve cleared the flowerbed of your mind, reach into your heart and pull out some seeds that you want to see flourish this Spring. If you really take care to water and nourish your intentions with love and devotion, you’ll get to marvel at the beauty of the bloom-to-be. Don’t just toss some seeds around hoping they land in the right spot and grow spontaneously; really till the soil so that the seeds can nestle in comfortably and take root deep within.
Weed out anything which fights for the right to grow against your soon-to-be flowers, and spend time checking to see that the seeds you chose to plant are given the best opportunity to thrive. Nature loves to grow as long as She is provided with the optimum environment! Proper nutrients are a must, so arrange for some proper feeding habits
I hope I didn’t lose you somewhere along the metaphor. Even more so, I hope this message resonates with you enough to help motivate you to take charge over what grows in your garden
😉 Happy Vernal Equinox everybody. May love fill the air so the whole planet can blossom!
Namaste ♡
The Poses
Belly Down with Hip Opener (Savasana)
Props: 2 blankets, neck roll or small pillow for head
Benefits: gently opens hips, lengthens leg muscles and tops of the feet, soothing for the belly, shoulder opener, grounding, lessens anxiety
Stack one or two blankets to the side folded in half. As you release to the floor, lengthen the body and then bend the leg at 90 degree angles to lay on the blankets to the side. Arms can come to goddess position, head turned to the side or stack hands as a pillow. For those with tight shoulders, extend arms by the sides of the body. When you need to turn the head, do so with a soft inhalation.
Bridge Pose
(adding energy, vitalization)
Benefits: Expands the chest muscles, opens the lungs, balances the glands, quiets the nerves and releases tension in the nervous system, increases oxygen intake to the brain, can stimulate the immune system (thyroid)
Props: 4 blankets, neck roll, eye pillow, can also use bolster for more stretch
Extras: blanket for warmth
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Lift butt and slide the stack of 2 or 4 blankets under the base of your spine. Find a comfortable position, then let the upper back release on the floor. Arms are relaxed at sides or resting on belly. Feel chest and belly rise with each breath. Roll gently to one side when done and inhale up to seated.
Reclined Bound Angle
Props: bolster, 4 blocks (or firm cushions, pillows or rolled-up blankets), 4 blankets and one extra blanket for warmth, strap and eye pillow
Benefits: opens the hips and groin facilitating blood and energy flow to the urinary tract and reproductive organs. Opens the chest and abdomen benefiting breathing problems.
*This week’s class featured a foot wrap, adding comfort and support for the feet, as well as a way to bring the feet in closer to your groin, opening the hips a little more. Hope that you enjoyed.
Place a block lengthwise under one end of a bolster to prop it up on an incline, add another block under bolster for stability. We used the wall in this week’s class placing the bolster at a higher elevation. Place a double-fold blanket on floor next to low end of bolster and a long rolled blanket on top next to bolster (for sacral support). Sit with your back to the short, low end of the bolster. Place two blocks where your knees will rest (can top with a soft blanket or use other props as necessary for propping knees) Bring your legs into Bound Angle Pose with the soles of your feet together. Wrap a blanket around your feet to create a feeling of containment. Lie back on the bolster. Place supports under your arms so that they are not dangling and there is no feeling of stretch in the chest. Stay in the pose for 10 to 15 minutes.
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