Transitioning from Winter to Spring: How yoga can help.
The Awakening of Spring and Ostara’s Balance
As we find ourselves heading towards Spring, we can feel the need to shake off the heaviness of winter. Spring is a time of renewal, growth, expansion, and possibility, so read on to discover how to manage the transition of the seasons and connect with the energy of spring.
As the Wheel of the Year takes another turn and we find ourselves at Ostara. This is the time of the Spring Equinox, marking the light and dark coming into balance. Nature reflects this change in its effortless way. Buds appear on trees waiting to burst into life, animals emerge from hibernation, and here in Norway, the first small flowers will make their way towards the light bursting into bloom, lifting spirits. After months of a snowy landsacpe the senses are ready for some colour as the earth begins to take on a new energy.
Just like the nature around us, we begin to awaken and shake off any sluggish winter energy. After months of stillness, we can feel stuck in winter’s slower rhythm. If you are ready to feel lighter and pick up the pace of the new season, yoga can help. Getting intentional and making mindful changes is key to making this transition with greater ease. Starting with our daily routines, small changes can boost our energy physically, mentally and emotionally.
Spring and the Doshas: Balancing Kapha Energy
In Ayurveda, spring is ruled by Kapha dosha. Kapha is made up of earth and water elements. Kapha’s qualities are steady, nurturing, and grounding but when out of balance, they can leave us feeling heavy, sluggish, or uninspired, just imagine the stickiness of wet mud! To shift into spring smoothly, we need to include more lightness, movement, and warmth into our day.
Simple Ways to Support Your Energy This Spring
Include some dynamic yoga
Dynamic yoga postures help shake off stagnation and awaken energy. Start with adding some Sun Salutations, twists, and heart openers (Cobra, Camel, and Dancer’s Pose) into your regulary yoga practice.
Breathwork to clear heaviness and boost circulation. Breathwork techniques such as Kapalabati breath or breath of joy help boost energy
Meditations to Plant Seeds of Intention
Spring is a time of new beginnings, so take a few moments to reflect on what you want to cultivate in the coming months. Whether it’s new thought, movement, eating patterns or something else, simple visualization meditation can help, imagining yourself planting seeds of intention and seeing them sprout and grow. My favourite meditation app is Insight Timer, here you can find hundreds of free meditations covering many topics
Yoga Nidra is a type of guided meditation increasingly used for its support for mental and emotional clarity. Through use of sankalpa intentions are set and embedded in our awareness. Try this Yoga Nidra for Air Element to release limiting beliefs and thoughts that may be holding you back. Yoga Nidra
Reiki
Reiki for renewal and to clear energetic blocks and. Spring is a wonderful time for setting new energetic intentions – letting go of what no longer serves you and creating space for lightness and growth. Read more about reiki here Reiki
Embrace the Joy of Spring
We can intentionally invite spring energy into our lives—moving more, spending time in nature and aligning our practices with the rhythm of the season.
Spring is an invitation to awaken, expand, and bloom in your own way. Make a plan and enjoy the transition from winter to spring. 🌸✨
