in rhythm with the seasons

In rhythm with the seasons

I often take my inspiration for my own practice and my classes from what's going on around... Sometimes World events, but more often the cycles of nature, seasons, and phases of the moon.
Right now, in the northern hemisphere, we're in the Imbolc time of the year, when the stirrings of spring are happening, often deep underground, so for me it feels right to honour those feelings in our own bodies and minds. Many of us have felt the need to stay huddled inside or under layers, feeling a little closed in, conserving energy and appreciating staying home. That can be a good thing, like nature we need to honour that need to hibernate and recharge our batteries! But sometimes it can make us a little lethargic and our bodies feel tight, closed off, perhaps even our minds and emotions, dwelling on ourselves...?!

Imbolc then, is a time to recognise the signs of life in our bodies, planting or nurturing the seeds of what will sprout later this year. Can you feel the turning point from dark winter to light? It's the perfect time to shine a light on your practices, both physically, easing those limbs into action, cultivating strong roots, and mentally, tuning in to your breath, taking time to create space in the mind to discover what you need.

What sort of practices?
Again, with the analogy of plants, simple grounding practices, attention to your foundations, toe exercises to awaken your feet, watching your standing and sitting posture, using blocks between thighs and hands - in utkatasana (chair pose) or tadasana (standing tall/mountain pose), and salabasana (prone lengthening/simple backbends) to cultivate that sense of hugging in to expand, alongside gliding, wriggling movements to plump up the fluids in the body.

Simple breath practices, such as watching the pauses between at the end of the inhale and exhale and welcoming the turning point of the breath. We need to let go for the next cycle to begin.

It's also a full moon this Sunday, and my favourite yoga practices are circular helping to lubricate and strengthen the joints.

Join me, or a yoga teacher near you, or just get moving, at home. Then when you come to stillness you will notice those signs of life inside!

What is it with the moon?

Friday 13th and a full moon — the omens were surely there! Halfway through the day one of my students emailed to say how sad she was to hear that a studio where I teach — and have been a member for many years—was shutting. Immediately. She’d really miss the classes. What a shock — I was reeling and sad because I will miss my friends and wonderful students so much, and also because no one had bothered to inform the freelancers working there, including me. Wow! Not sure if it was the news that may me feel so ungrounded. Or was it the full moon?

What is it about the full moon anyway? Some people find themselves full of boundless energy, others feel a little unbalanced, and others just heavy! Some people don’t notice anything at all. Maybe that’s because they are not used to closely watching their body? In the Ashtanga tradition, students don’t practice on the days of full moons or new moons. It’s a time to rest and observe the changes in the subtle energy in the body. What! Yes, I know… I was one of those yogis who’d turn up to my usual class and sigh heavily when told we would be doing a gentle yin practice instead of the full monty (aka the primary or secondary series)… Other students would roll their eyes with disgust when the poor teacher suggested we got bolsters and lay on our mats! Now I love the change of pace and chance to transform my body through passive release. (Though when I suggest a gentle approach in my classes on Moon days I am still met with fair few grimaces!)

Is there a reason for it? There’s a theory that because we yogis are just like other human people (in some respects!) we’re made up of 65 to 75 percent water, so the moon can have a gravitational affect on us, as it does with tides… so our energy peaks and wanes. The jury’s out on that one, but it is a nice connection to nature and a nice way to think about the peaks and dips in our energy levels.

I have a feeling I will be doing a few more days of grounding, calming practices before things get back to normal…