Ready to come out of the (winter) cocoon?

- Welcome spring and new energy!

It’s here!
Can you feel it?

In my latest walks it definitely feels more and more that the spring is finally breaking through - birdsong is increasingly louder and more uplifting, the flowers are breaking through from the still cold earth, the blooms of leaves are appearing on branches that otherwise still feel rather dead and dormant. Maybe you can feel that sense on inner lightening from the heavier and slower winter as well?

If you think of it there are so many philosophies and popular practices which have incredible similarities in connecting different characteristics to different seasons. In Ayurveda late winter and early is characterised by the dosha called Kapha - those slower, calmer, more grounded characteristics which, in excess can cause dullness, apathy, stagnancy, low energy, drowsiness and heaviness.

In Chinese medicine, Winter is associated with the very yin water element characterised by cold, slow, dark and inward-energy where we need a lot of rest to support the kidneys.

Just like the seasons have an effect on the nature around us and the nature reacts for keeping the necessary balance, the seasonal shifts in our activities, diet, energy levels and are there for a reason. Too much of anything is great though (maybe you have felt ‘done’ with the winter as well in the past weeks)!

Spring is the time to start breaking free of the cold, moist and heavy, a time of rebirth (think of the little blooms and blossoming), reawakening, clearing out the old to be able to start new projects, set new goals while driving on this lighter fresher energy.

Spring in Chinese medicine

In Chinese medicine, which Yin yoga is based on, spring is represented by the Wood element - that earthy plant that simultaneously roots to the ground while rising up towards the heights with stability yet ease. The wood element has different functions such as change, growth, expansion, transformation, renewal, rebirth hope, new ideas and projects. Wood gives us the ability to see a vision and take the steps towards change and achieving that vision.

Wood gives us stability and flexibility simultaneously - an ability to change and adapt while staying balanced and expressing our truth in anything we create.

The wood element is connected to two main energy meridians and organs - the liver and the gallbladder (see the connection with spring liver detoxes??). The liver meridian runs from the inner-edge of our big toe through the inner-ankle and inner leg until it reaches the liver. The gallbladder meridian runs from the outer eye, through the side of our head, shoulder, side-body, outer-hip and the outer-leg and ankle until the tip of the 4th toe.

The purpose of yin yoga (in addition to other practices including diet) traditionally was to use the long stretches and breath to create energy flow (Qi) in the meridians and the organs associated. An unbalance in the aforementioned Liver and gallbladder meridians and organs, based on Chinese medicine, would likely cause emotions such as anger and frustration as a result of obstruction to any movement froward - the frustration that comes if things feel stuck, stagnant and not moving forward.

When the liver and gallbladder are balanced we’re able to deal with and digest any challenges in a more balanced way - people tend to be kinder, more forgiving, tolerant, confident in taking those necessary next steps towards our plans and less disturbed by adversity.

April at the Yoga Membership

In the online yoga membership we’ll as well focus on awakening and re-energising with a lot of focus on the side-body and inner & outer legs to support that spring refresh energy, to create space and flow in those two meridians connected to the spring.

This week’s class is a beautiful side-body and inner-leg focused flow which is just energising enough but soft enough for those late-winter vibes which still might remain ;)

Next week you’re up for a full boost - I did an almost identical self-practice when I myself needed to get out of that a little frustrated winter-slowness rut towards that more lighter and energised creative and creating mode - it worked! I called it the Get Going Flow - maybe you could use that as well! ;)

It’s all about balance therefore you’ll also find a stretchier after work slow & soft slower stretch-out for those longer days when well, you just need that!

For this month’s livestream We’ll do a Declutter Flow to declutter the old and make space for the new, And this month’s Yin class is completely focused on that wood element - expect a lot of inner-outer legs, hips and side-body to create all that balance and flow!

We’ll end up with a short but sweet Sound Meditation reset to refocus in the middle of the day, find calm and reconnection before or after something big happened and just take a few minutes to land into yourself again.

Can’t wait to hear how yo get along!

If you haven’t joined yet then do!! ;)
For only 99 dkk (13.5 eur) a month you’ll get access to all that, as well as a library of 120+ yoga practices for any mood, energy level, time of the day and inner- or outer season!

First month is always 25% off with the code TRYME25

Happy sweet reawakening time!

Kika