Spring into Spring season with these yoga-inspired tips to help you open your heart, love more, and create a beautiful life!
1. Out with the old, in with the new.
Take inventory! Is there anything in your life that is old and stale, ready to be turned over with the freshness of the season?
I found myself stuck in a rut with a yoga studio owner that was not making teaching fun. Her constant nagging and rash text messages were getting me down. Trying to make changes to improve our professional relationship was not working.
So I finally asked myself, why am I allowing this to be a consistent source of stress in my life? Do I need this job? This relationship? Why put up with it?
When I couldn’t come up with a good reason to stay, I knew it was time to let go. Cutting the ties with an overbearing, needy, and critical person is very freeing! Is there something or someone in your life you need to let go? Give yourself permission to be free of them!
2. Practice heart-opening backbends.
There is no better way to open your heart to give and receive love than a juicy backbend!
a. Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Begin standing on your knees with your legs hip distance apart, toes almost touching. Press your shins and the tops of your feet into the mat and inhale your arms overhead. Exhale as you lean backwards, taking your hands to your low back, the back of the thighs, or all the way to your heels.
Roll the shoulder heads open, let your head fall back, and open your chest and throat. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths.
b. Wheel or Upward Bow Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana)
Begin lying on your back with your knees bent, hip distance apart. Plant your palms facedown by your ears, fingertips pointing towards your feet. Press your feet and hands into your mat and lift your seat, back, and head away from the floor.
Walk your feet closer towards your body, keeping the knees parallel. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths. Come out of the pose slowly by first bringing your chin to chest, and then rolling down onto your back.
c. Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)
Begin lying on your abdomen. Bring your heels into your seat and reach back to find a bind by grasping either the tops of the feet or the ankles. You may also use a strap here.
Keeping your head and neck center, pull your feet towards your body with your hands while you push your feet away from your hands in a push-pull motion. Lift as many body parts away from the floor as possible. Lift your chin, head, and heart. Roll the shoulders back. Hold for 5 breaths, then repeat.
3. Go outside.
You can’t connect with nature by looking out the window!
Put on your running shoes or rain boots and go outside. Walk in the woods, plant bulbs in the garden, or put up a bird feeder. Spending time in nature is good for the body, mind, and soul. You will feel more prepared to change with the season if you embrace the beauty of change happening all around you.
4. Say “Thank you.”
The simple act gratitude has a powerful response. When we use our words in a genuine and thoughtful way, the people around us feel uplifted and appreciated. And this can have profound changes on your relationships at work, at home, and even with strangers.
The next time you get off the subway, make eye contact with that person making room for you to exit and say “Thank you.” I guarantee you will make their day, and in return you will feel happier, too. The more we express our thanks to the Universe, the more abundant our lives will be.
