It's time to AWAKEN from winters mini-hibernation.
It's time to BLOOM a lotus flower within.
It's time to get OUTSIDE!
Did you get that? Let me spell it out.
Awaken and Bloom, Outside.
I dearly love spring, the warmer weather and the tender greens that Mother Nature begins to push up from the earth. It is such a time to spend outside, talk a walk, and soak in the much needed warmth of the sun as our bodies recharge with its powers. The flicker of heat that occurs between cool breezes of wind during the day are all moments of living in the present and enjoying the God given beauty and grace.
During this time of year we all need a little internal spring cleaning, we need to clear out the cob webs of winter, awaken the muscles and deep layers of fascia connecting to our bones. It's time to cleanse the liver and gallbladder filtering out the toxins from winter lifestyle of heavy foods, indoor air and low sun exposure. Inversions, forward bends, backbends and twists are all great ways to tonify and detox the liver and gallbladder.
I have listed four great poses to relish and marinate in the beautiful spring sunshine and/or spring evenings. When you go through this mini flow, make sure you are breathing in deeply, the energy of spring and all that it has to offer. Fill your lungs, heart and mind with the fragrance of spring. This is of great importance.
Go outside. Sit in easy pose in the grass. Be mindful that you are with the earth. Be mindful that you are infusing your body with the earth's energy as you inhale. Close your eyes, take a few deepies (deep breaths) and a few omms to center yourself right into your heart, and right into the earth.
The Butterfly: Bound Angle Pose
Butterflies are the brightly colored flitter of spring. Stay seated, bending the knees and placing the soles of the feet together. Feel the cycle of energy circling through your lower body, your hips, abdomen, knees and feet. Cradle your feet with clasped hands, inhale, lengthen your spine and feel the stretch through your shoulders and then exhale your body forward, bending at the elbows. Feel the gentle stretch as your hips open. Hang here for a few, mindful of the releasing that's going on through your lower body.
Wide Leg Forward Bend:
Since spring is a time of renewal from the earth, stretch your legs out wide in front of you. Stretch your arms overhead, clasping your hands, breathing in deeply then lower your arms in tune with your exhale, to your sides. Take another deep breath in, this time with your arms staying at your sides. On your exhale, bend at the waist while walking your hands out in front of you until you feel the deep stretch in your inner thighs. Hang out there for a few...mindful of the gentle pressure on the liver and gall bladder, wringing the organs out like a dish rag. Walk your hand back up and repeat this asana a few more times.
Fish Pose:
Not quite sure what fish do in spring, but this pose will open your chest to relieve those symptoms of congestion and allergies. It will stimulate the thymus and help to strengthen your immune system.
Lay on your back and relax, man! Bend your arms at the elbows, to a 90 degree angle, so that your palms are facing each other. Inhale deeply. Push your elbows into the ground as your chest lifts up to the sky, and your head falls back. You should be supporting your weight with your lower body, your elbows and the crown of your head. Spread through your collarbones, feel the stretch through your neck and throat. Breathe gently. Release the pose and give it another go.
Newly invigorated::::::: Stand Up!
Tree Pose:
(One of my favs)
Inhale the arms up high over the head, lifting your chest, ribs and heart to the heavens. Let the palms of your hands meet, gently slide your left foot up the inner right leg. Steady yourself where you feel comfortable. While taking a few deep breaths, close your eyes (if you can still balance that way) and imagine you are a tree. You are strong, durable, mighty and steadfast, deeply rooted into the earth, yet reaching high for the heavens, always growing slowly yet steadily. Take a moment and embrace your body's ability to balance itself.
Don't just act like a tree, climb one too!
As always, take at least one moment each day to sit quietly and feel your true essence.
Treat your body kindly as you renew it through this season.
