Embodying Spring: do it your way!

Last weekend, I shared a day retreat in the gorgeous Stanmer Park. The theme was embodying spring, and throughout the day - as we practised yoga, walked in the woods, and enjoyed being in community - we reflected on this question:  how can we connect to the qualities of spring?

What does spring mean to you?

Is it about the return of the light and the warm days, or is it about nature blossoming again, with all that colour and the promise of days of abundance to come?

Here’s a few ideas to practice as you think about spring and the joys it brings us:

*Reflect on the qualities you connect with this season: growth, potential, beauty, re-emergence, small new beginnings, lightness, expansion - or whatever spring inspires in you.

*Sit or lie comfortably, focus on your breath and just let it be there. Say the qualities that spring means to you, either out loud or silently. 

* Take a piece of paper and draw a picture of spring and the things it makes you think of. There are no rules and it doesn’t have to look like anything. You can use words if you prefer - do it your own way - it could be literal or abstract  - when I did this, I drew an abstract tree with colourful roots which stood for qualities of groundedness and beauty. 

* Go out and find the qualities you would like to nourish in yourself in nature, and just be with them - feel grounded by hugging a tree, gain greater perspective by looking at a small leaf and then up to the vastness of the sky, feel the texture of a petal - the options are endless!

And… in our own way, just like the beautiful uniqueness of each flower, we blossom in our own time. Some of us take time to open into the world; others are ready to burst straight into spring. 

Spring cleaning for the mind

This time of year can inspire clearing out - not just of stuff but of the mind! We all get caught up in ‘stuff’ and feel weighed down - so maybe with more light and, sometimes, more energy as we shift through spring, it’s time to bring space to these.

How can you spring clean your mind?

*Gentle yoga - come to a class, or try a short video from my resources page. 

*Mindful mornings - a body scan meditation as you wake up, or journaling to clear your mind before you start the day.

*Reading inspiring books instead of scrolling social media or the endless misery of the news.

*Connecting with others, attending classes or mindful walks, or reaching out to a friend to go and see some spring flowers. 

If it feels good, you're doing it right. We don't have to bloom all at once, we can take our time, just as nature does - not rushing, but unfolding.

Embodying spring is really just this:

Doing what we can to allow things to feel a little easier. A little fresher. A little more open.

And trust that, just like nature, you're already in the process of blooming.

If you’re interested in joining me at more day retreats, please join my mailing list. Join here

I am very excited to be holding a weekend retreat in Sussex on September 11th- 13th. - this will be a chance to dive deeper in yoga, into nature and to nourish yourself - find more details here: Weekend retreat