SPRING LITERALLY

Spring ushers in the perfect time to spring clean yourself! It is the season of expansion out of the chill of winter, where we begin to blossom, awaken and create more space.

There is something about Spring that invites us to clear — mentally, physically and energetically. We clear our homes, awaken the senses with beautiful scents and stretch into those deep inner seams of the body that have contracted through winter. Expansion feels so good!

So we ebb and flow with the seasonal nature of our bodies, we contract and expand throughout the year to allow our natural flow...

Some people come into this season with low energy, lack of motivation and generally feeling unclear and out of sync with themselves. For some, one way of exploring this seasonal transition is through the body's energetic pathways.

My deepest understanding of this is instinctive. All living creatures respond to the seasons. Plants and animals know when to be dormant, when to conserve and regenerate, and when to blossom and awaken. Humans, however, tend to keep pushing.

Whether it's cold or hot, raining or windy, we keep going against the grain of what our bodies need to be in their power throughout the seasons.

We are nature but we don't behave like it!

The gift of resting, eating winter foods and conserving energy throughout winter is that we blossom in Spring!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring is associated with the Wood element and the Liver and Gallbladder meridians.

Physically, these organs have important roles within the body. Within Traditional Chinese Medicine and other energetic frameworks, the Liver and Gallbladder are also associated with particular emotions and patterns of energy. This is one way of understanding why movement, breath, bodywork and practices such as yoga can sometimes bring emotion to the surface.

Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver is associated with vision, direction and the emotion of anger. The Liver system is also traditionally associated with the eyes, tendons and our capacity for smooth movement and flow. Spring can be a beautiful time to support yourself with fresh seasonal foods, hydration, movement and practices that encourage a sense of spaciousness and flow. You can also explore yoga postures traditionally associated with the Liver meridian. This pathway travels along the inner aspect of the legs, so wide-legged stretches, gentle side bends and twisting movements can feel particularly spacious at this time of year.

The taste for this time of year is Sour & Astringent, these tastes are known to clear mucus buildup created by winter flus and dairy overloads. Black tea, pomegranate, buckwheat (rather than grains) lemon in warm water, Kim chi, pickled veg, Kombucha and ferments are perfect right now, somehow we start to crave them, listen to what you feel like eating, it is what you need right now, your body will always tell you..

Within this energetic framework, the Gallbladder is associated with decision-making, courage and our capacity to move forward. When this energy feels constrained, themes of frustration, resentment or rigidity may arise. The Gallbladder meridian travels along the sides of the head and body, continuing down the outer legs. It often feels like a tree trying to bend as we awaken this meridian but stretching deeply into our sides freeing our self restriction and giving ourselves (and others) room to move and expand into spring!

Energetically, I also connect this area with the solar plexus chakra — our centre of personal power, direction and agency. For me, Spring is about creating freedom through our energetic pathways, releasing rigidity, anger and resentment and making space to see more clearly what direction feels right.

Seasonal living can be a beautiful way to bring more balance and awareness into our lives, Each part of us represents a part of our beautiful Mother Earth, she shares her wisdom with us at all times, we just need to understand, be clear and to hear it!

Breathe in this beautiful season, side stretch & twist your body, allow yourselves to expand and enjoy the beauty that you are!

Once you are feeling clearer, create a private ceremony for yourself!

Spring Ritual To honour your vision for the coming season,

• Use your favourite crystals and flowers to create a mandala

• Put on your favourite mantra or spirit song

• Breathe low slow & deeply through your being & Exhale your thoughts

• Breathe Light

• Invoke love and self honouring into your heart

• Weave it through your energetic bodies and physical body

• Visualise your purest heart's intention for yourself and the Earth

• Breathe it, Weave it, Receive and Believe it in present time.

• Offer a prayer of gratitude for our beautiful Mother Earth for all she provides us and teaches us for you are her and she is you!