Goodbye Winter … Well, Hello Spring Alex Turner Yoga

You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.― Pablo Neruda

Welcome, Spring.

Spring is just around the corner. The early blossom already fills the air with gorgeous scents; the snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils are coming up; the early morning is beginning to burst with birdsong... I even saw my first hedgehog earlier in the week!

Spring brings forth new life.

It is a time of transformation, renewal, growth.

There is more light, the days are getting longer. There is a sense of inspiration, possibility and aliveness.

Spring reminds us that everything begins again, there is always the opportunity to grow.

As we head in to this bright new season, I aim to take a look at things from a yoga perspective, and explore how we can nourish ourselves by tapping into the centring, grounding aspects of this season.

In our bodies, we are starting to revive and gear up after winter.

This is a great time to cleanse, to detoxify, to energise, and to transform.

Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, the ancient sister science to yoga, health is determined by the balance between mind, body and the environment.

The 5 elements (ether, air, water, earth, fire) make up three main mind-body types - the doshas. As we move out of the Vata season, winter, and into the Spring season, Kapha, there are some special things we can do to look after ourselves.

The Sanskrit word kapha means ‘that which flourishes in water'.
Loch Morlich, Scotland
  • Now is a great time to get into a routine - rising early, enjoying some exercise, journalling, even simply making time for meditation.
  • Make the most of this rising energy to take action towards your goals.
  • Stay warm and keep your immune system topped up.
  • Try warm and lightly cooked meals that are dry in nature.
  • A spring diet calls for more bitter, spicy, and astringent tastes. Avoid sweet, sour, and salty foods (which cause water retention). Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and limit intakes of heavy, oily or sweet foods.
  • Give yourself permission to ground down - enjoy fresh air, quiet places, time in nature, space to breathe. Whatever you need to come back to yourself.
  • This is also a time to nourish your soul by making time for loved ones, and making time for play!

One of my go-to spices for a detox and immune boost is Turmeric, which is a great spice for balancing Kapha:

  • Turmeric has a particular affinity for the blood, and is therefore great for circulation - turmeric can circulate its powerful health benefits efficiently throughout the body.
  • It is used to support a number of systems and functions in the body due to its antioxidant activity.
  • Turmeric is an overall ace card when it comes to digestion and relieves many digestive disorders.
  • It is excellent for many of the systems within the body - the brain and nervous system, good for the joints, good for the heart and the circulatory system.
  • Overall turmeric is super anti-inflammatory and so is a great boost to the immune system.

Check out my recipe for turmeric latte below.

Aparigraha

As well as detoxing, we all know Springtime can be a time for cleaning!

...Yes I really did just say that.... As a practitioner of yoga, my whole approach to life and living is guided by the yamas and niyamas, the moral codes of yoga. These address our behaviours and attitudes towards ourselves and those around us and ensure we live in a pleasant, harmonious environment.

Of particular relevance here is Aparigraha, the 5th yama.

Sanskrit: अपरिग्रह

Aparigraha is the principle of non-greed, non-possessiveness and non-attachment.

In simple terms, this principle teaches us to take only what we need, keep only what serves us in the moment, and to let go when the time is right. In this way we can keep a nice karmic balance.

Another way to view this is that clinging on to our belongings clouds our vision and our judgment, causing us to lose sight of our own true nature.

Yoga Sutra II.41 || aparigraha sthairye janma kathanta sambodhah || One who perseveres on the path of non-covetousness gains deep understanding of life

Personally I find aparigraha really appealing and rewarding. I have been implementing it over the years in stages by increasingly practicing minimalism. In letting go of what I no longer need, I make space for more gratitude, more joy and more enjoyment of what I do have in my life.

Practicing gratitude for what we do have, and letting go of the need for unnecessary material possessions as well as attachment to outcome really does open things up to the realm of abundance. True abundance in nature, in life, in happiness.

So... good reason to go get our Spring Clean on!

Spring Yoga

Salamba Sirsasana

When considering our yoga practice for spring, we can make the most of increasing energy levels, our ability to detox and our deep desire to ground down.

Here are some great postures for spring:

  • Childs Pose, Balasana. In this posture, sinking the hips back towards the heels, and the arms active, reaching forwards. Focus on grounding, settling, and creating a strong foundation to grow from. In what ways do you want to grow?
  • Tree Pose, Vrkasana. Again, focus on creating a strong foundation. Root down into the earth through the foot and standing leg, and grow tall through the crown of the head and the fingertips. Engage the core and lift up to find balance. Bring the palms together in prayer. Where can you find more balance in your life?
  • Dolphin Plank, Makara Adho Mukha Svanasana. Come to plank on your elbows, forearms parallel. Make the core super strong. Lift up through the shoulders. Push the heels away to create a straight line through the body. This posture helps prepare for headstand. What rituals can you put in place to nurture your strength?
  • Headstand, Salamba Sirsasana. Inversions such as headstand promote detoxification and improved circulation, and help us find clarity, combat fatigue and promote vitality. When in this posture remember to not collapse the shoulder girdle - engage and lift the scapula and lats. Use the core to raise the legs. And breathe. Where do you want to go this season? (**Advanced posture** - For beginners - try practicing against a wall first. For more instructions see here.)

These are just a selection of poses which I hope you will have a play with.

And beyond yoga, meditation is also an incredibly powerful practice with a tremendous capacity to support transformation.

Spring Meditation

Spring is a lovely time of year to try new things, and develop new routines. Meditation is a great daily practice, and the benefits of a regular meditation practice are just mind blowing.

  • It reduces stress
  • Improves focus and concentration
  • Increases self awareness
  • Supports personal transformation
  • Increases joy, gratitude and happiness
  • Improves health and promotes better sleep.

Sound good to you?

Click here to download your very own guided meditation for spring.

Make time for headspace.

So folks..... I really hope you have enjoyed my yoga inspired spring salutation.

I trust this season brings you joy, abundance and all the energy you need to up shift your life. If you liked this, do make sure you have signed up for updates to receive more like this in future - you can do this at www.alexxturner.com.

Namaste for now,

Alex x

www.alexxturner.com

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