Some yoga ideas for the turning from Winter to Spring
We are gently yet noticeably moving out of Winter now.
Signs around are that there is a little more light in the early evening and birds are a tiny bit more vociferous in the mornings.
The sun comes up just slightly sooner each day. And early Spring flowers such as snowdrops are pushing out of the Earth.
There is a quickening.
This all takes place gently, delicately and subtly-almost imperceptibly
There is no rush, no straiin about it. No fanfares. Just a beautiful transition.
As we approach the Celtic fire festival of Imbolc, beginning on 31 January and into 1/2 February, we can sense this awakening around us, and even, within us.
This gives us the opportunity to also echo and honour these phases in our yoga practice. Subtle, gentle and changing.
Here are a few suggested, gentle sequences, which you might like to play with. All about transitions.
Seed to Flower sequences
Begin lying on the floor on your side, in a fetal position, hugging knees. The awareness is body held by the Earth. Spend some breaths nestled in the Earth.
When you feel ready, from here, on a slow inhale, rolling gently onto the back & fully opening the body into a starfish shape.
Then gathering all the limbs back into fetal position and rolling to the other side on the exhale
You can decide whether you want to stay for more than 1 breath in either the seed (fetal) or flower(starfish). Find your gentle flow
For comfort you may like to place a blanket on your mat and aim to keep your head connected to the Earth throughout the practice.
The luscious curling & unfurling can also be made from standing position into soft, forward folds, with generously bent knees and then transitioning with the inhale to unravelling and opening, legs more straight, toes spread & lifted from the floor, arms spread wide open & raised, face turned, flowerlike, to the sun, greeting the growing strength and energy.
Or lying in a comfortable position, hands on the belly. Feet on floor.
For the inhale arms moving onto the floor overhead, arms wide, palms up & soles of the feet turning to face each other
On the exhale, hands returning to belly and soles of the feet resting on the floor, knees together.
Seasons of the breath
The deep inhale moves the belly up into the hands and the long exhale draws the belly inwards & up the spine. Recognise the inhale is the rise of Spring & the peak of Summer. The pause at the top is the Summer Solstice. The exhale is the Fall of Autumn into Winter. The end of the exhale-the Winter Solstice.