

It’s the time of year again when the snow disappears, Mother Earth unveils her vibrant spring collection of leaves and blooms, and we all stir and stretch to gleefully welcome long, sun-soaked days. The switch can be a little jarring though, and we may need some time to thaw. Once the sweaters and toques have been put away, our impulse is to move straight to the garage or the closets and frantically organize ourselves, but maybe this year we could start our spring-cleaning within.
One of the best ways to start is by getting dirty again! Feet have been stuffed into boots, hands into mittens, and eyes glued to screens for so long that our bodies have forgotten what soil, sand, and grass even feel like. Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. co-author of the acclaimed book Earthing, suggests daily barefoot walks outdoors to discharge accumulated static electricity and suffuse your body with healing, negatively charged free electrons abundantly present on the surface of the Earth. Feeling Mother Earth’s carpet with our bare skin resets our circadian rhythm, expands our breath, encourages flexibility, increases focus, and improves sleep.
Once we’re grounded, pranayama (breathing) techniques are a perfect way to clear the wintery cobwebs in our bodies and minds and relieve pesky allergy symptoms at the same time. Nadi Sodhana (alternate nostril breathing) is a great technique to add to your spring-cleaning routine. While best performed under the guidance of an experienced teacher, it is safe to try on your own. Begin the practice sitting up tall in a comfortable position with your right hand thumb and ring finger ready. Take a few natural deep breaths and, when ready, close off the right nostril with your thumb and take a long, deep inhalation (count to at least six) through the left nostril. At the end of the exhalation, place your ring finger on the left nostril to close it off, open up the right nostril, and exhale slowly. At the bottom of the exhalation, begin to gently inhale through the right nostril, close it off, and then exhale back out through the left nostril to complete the round. Continue to alternate, moving through five to ten rounds. Remember to keep your breaths slow and deep. Sit for a few moments in stillness as you return to your natural breath and feel the therapeutic and peaceful energetic effects of your efforts.
Spring’s fickle weather can leave our emotions oscillating between sunny euphoria and rainy day blues. Grounding vinyasa yoga practices can act as an antidote. Dynamic sun salutations invite the sun’s energy into your entire being and help to thaw out any icy resistance, so greet the morning with three to five rounds. Adding fun variations to tree posture is very fitting for the time of year and increases our sense of balance. Standing tall and proud, shift your weight on to the right leg as you lift your left foot, placing it along the inside of the right leg’s ankle, calf, or inner thigh (never on the knee). Feel the foot and leg pressing into one another, creating an active relationship . You can bring your arms above your head, wave them around – create any shape that represents a tree of life to you! Hold each side for five to seven breaths. Next up, a deep squatting posture, with feet wider than hip distance, knees over toes and feet turned out can bring energy and more circulation into the densest part of our body (trunk/hip region) and bring about a feeling of solid grounding. Hold this for at least seven breaths. Closing a simple practice like this with a child’s pose (chest resting on thighs) allows us to surrender and sink into the Earth’s friendly arms, like a seedling waiting to bloom again.
So kick off your shoes and socks, breathe, stretch, give the season your very warmest welcome, and start spring-cleaning with a newfound sense of peace and purpose!
Sari Nisker
has taught yoga for over 7 years in Toronto, NYC, and LA, and is a co-creator of Spynga The Yoga and Cycling Studio in Toronto, www.spynga.com
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