Spring: the perfect time to cast off the unwanted mental and physical effects of winter. Many of us have spent the past few months struggling to stay active and motivated as we direct increasing amounts of energy to fighting the sluggishness and dreariness that follows the holidays. Whether we’ve dialed down your yoga practice or fitness regime, overindulged in comfort foods, or simply spent too many long evenings in front of a screen at home, winter has likely taken a toll on us all. But fear not, because whatever level of practitioner you are, this is the perfect time to push reset and start engaging in a bright, warm and regenerative routine that complements the energy that this beautiful season brings. With a consistent practice and a bit of focus on some key postures, you will find that yoga can allow you to transition into the warmer months with ease.
The sequence below includes plenty of twisting poses to help cleanse and massage the internal organs, chest-openers to help expand the lungs and facilitate deep breathing, as well as feel-good hip openers and foundational standing poses to provide your body and mind with a well-rounded and reinvigorating practice.
Admiring my favorite Spring-time flowers at Boston Commons, MA.
Spring back into Practice!
Easy crossed-leg seated position (Sukhsana) - close your eyes and set an intention for your practice
Seated twist (Parivrtta Sukhasana)
Wide legged forward fold (Prasarita Padottanasana)
Child's pose (Balasana)
Thread the needle from hands and knees (Sucirandhrasana)
Puppy pose (Uttana Shishosana)
Downward facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Pigeon pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)
Lizard lunge - twist (Utthan Pristhasana)
Standing forward fold, hands clasped behind (Uttānāsana)
Mountain pose (Tadasana) - side bends in tadasana (hold opposite wrist with hand)
Sun Salutations with lunges (Surya Namaskar)
Low lunge (Anjaneyasana) with hands clasped behind to open the chest - low lunge twist (Parivrtta Anjaneyasana)
Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana ll) - Triangle (Utthita Trikonasana)
High lunge (Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasana) with hands clasped behind - high lunge twist
Standing wide legged forward bend (Prasarita Padottanasana) - twist (one hand on the floor, opposite arm extended toward the ceiling)
Handstand at the wall (Adho Mukha Vrksasana)*
Bridge Pose (Setu Banda Sarvangasana)* - Upward Bow (Urdhva Dhanurasana)*
Knees to Chest ( (Apanasana) - twist
Corpse Pose (Savasana)
*Poses can be omitted for those not inverting, or replaced with Legs Up the Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)