Strong standing and heating practice for the spring season

Strong grounding  and heating practice for the Spring season.

At the Nest, we welcome spring with open arms and delight in the sounds of the birds chirping away in the many trees that surround our cozy studio.

As a time of renewal, the spring season offers an abundance of creative energy and often the desire to release habits formed over the more inward conservative season of winter. Using the principles of Ayurveda, we can tailor our yoga practice to balance out the energy currents of the different seasons so that we are balance within ourselves and with the world around us. Coming out of the heavier winter season there may be residual feelings of a heavy body and even though we want to catch the rising tide of creativity and inspiration we might feel overwhelmed. Practicing strong standing poses cultivates grounding and builds the inner fire we need to pull us fully into the new season. Our digestion is often sluggish at this time of year and we are ready for a change in the way we move and the foods that we eat. Incorporating bitter flavours such as stinging nettle, dandelion greens and grapefruits into our diets will help get the digestive juices flowing and boost the body's metabolism. Adding twists into our yoga practice will also benefit the digestive organs and offers a chance to shift perspective as we focus our eyes somewhere other than straight ahead.  I have put together a Spring sequence for you to practice at home or better yet outside with the sun on your face, the sounds of spring in your ears and the fresh air on your skin.
I suggest warming up with a few rounds of your favourite sun salutation done with cultivating a syncronized breath and movement pattern as your aim. This sequence can be done in 15 - 20 minutes or if you have more time and want to cultivate more inner fire stretch it out and take more time in each posture.

Vinyasa up to standing and repeat on the other side

Repeat on the other side

Spend at least 5 minutes in Savasana.

I hope you take some time to practice on your own or with friends. If you have any questions or comments about the sequence, practicing yoga  or the studio please reach out and comment below.