The Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere arrives on March 20th (UK) this year. Throughout history, Spring has represented new beginnings for many cultures and the time of year symbolises rebirth, renewal, and fertility. Since the Spring Equinox also marks the beginning of the agricultural cycle, going outside and planting new seeds both literally and figuratively is a way for anyone to celebrate the start of the new season. By meditating and performing a simple ritual, such as the following seasonal yoga practise, you may manifest new beginnings on this year’s Spring Equinox.
Virabhadrasana I to Crescent Pose or High Lunge
Begin by standing, imagining yourself sprouting up towards the light and out of the dark Winter, feet firmly planted in the ground, ready for anything. When you’re ready, step one foot back into a lunge (Warrior I) and reach your arms up, fingers spread, really reaching through your core. When you feel stable, simply lift your back heel. Crescent Pose is a wonderful pose to remind yourself how strong you are, and for Spring, remind yourself that you have survived, whether it’s Winter or something other challenge you’ve recently faced. Crescent Pose may fill you with confidence and inspiration, making it the perfect posture to set your Spring intentions. When you’re ready, bring your hands down in front of your heart, stepping back forward, and then completing Crescent Pose on the other side.
Goddess Pose or Fiery Angle Pose, Utkata Konasana
Open your legs wide, feet pointed out slightly, engage your core, and squat into your Goddess Pose, raising your arms parallel to your shoulders and then your palms toward the sky. Think: walk like an Egyptian arms, here. The Goddess Pose is an excellent place to steady your breath as the difficulty of the posture will raise your heart rate. You may pulse your legs or take a deep breath straightening your legs and reaching your arms up before exhaling and sinking back into the posture. As the name implies, the Goddess Pose harnesses feminine energy, which is intuitive, open, and soft. It is the Yin to the Yang, or masculine energy which is ambitious, prideful, and disciplined. You cannot have one without the other, so the Goddess Pose is an opportunity to embrace your softer side, whether you’re male or female, and recognize that there is power in our feeling (feminine energy) just as much as in our actions (masculine energy).
Tree Pose, Vrksasana
There is no better way to feel grounded than in a solid Tree Pose. One often overlooked benefit of Tree Pose is that it cannot be achieved without steadying the mind. When the mind is racing, try quieting it in Tree Pose. Plant both feet into the ground before shifting your balance into one foot and then lifting the other foot and placing it above or below the knee. With your hands at centre, use your core to balance yourself and then grow, reaching the arms overhead and spreading them open just like the branches of a tree. If you fall out of your tree, try again, and make sure you complete Tree Pose on the other side as well.
Side Plank Pose, Vasisthasana
From standing, reach up, put a slight bend in the knees and fall forward into a Forward Fold. From Forward Fold, plant your hands and step your feet back into a plank. If you have trouble with pain in your wrists, you may come down to your forearms, but if not, pivot your weight into one hand (or forearm) and reach the other arm up, coming into your Side Plank. Vasisthasana is named after Vasistha, a Vedic sage who counselled a ruler that was seeking clarity through clouded vision. This is a fun tidbit, because Side Plank requires clarity in order to execute and maintain this posture for a moment. Don’t forget to breathe, and take the time to be enlightened with your inner truth during this difficult asana. As always, don’t forget to complete Side Plank on the other side as well.
In lieu of Savasana: Reclined Five-Pointed Star Pose, Utthita Tadasana
Come back into a plank, lift your hips into a Downward Dog, then come down to hands and knees, before sitting up and taking your time to lay down flat on your back. Instead of Savasana, spread your legs slightly wider and reach your arms overhead, making a DaVinci-like star, or a Reclined Five-Pointed Star Pose. This is a vulnerable posture, but when practised in a safe place where you feel comfortable, I find that opening yourself up like this brings inner peace. If you’re outside and would prefer not to lay down, you may also spread the legs and arms into a traditional Five-Pointed Star Pose. Open your heart and mind here and practise the following meditation to bring Spring into your life.
Concentrate on the energy of the Spring Equinox or creation energy. Spring is a wonderful time to feel inspired to start something new, since this is a season that represents birth and new beginnings. Ask yourself, What does this time of year represent for me? What needs freshening up in my life? What in my life has me feeling passionate, excited, and motivated? Once you’ve thought about the season and what has you feeling energised, then imagine yourself harnessing the energy of the season and using it to cultivate what will bring you the most joy.
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
Buddha
