You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintery light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen. When the cold rains kept on and killed the spring, it was as though a young person died for no reason. Ernest Hemingway
We are fully in the energy of Spring - the season of change that brings hope. Nevertheless the quote above also captures how heavy it feels with this incessant rain!
From an Ayurveda perspective Spring holds the qualities of Earth and Water, when in good balance this fosters strong healthy growth but when out of balance can leave a soggy mess!
How are you feeling right now?
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise (if you’ve heard from me recently) that I fall into the soggy mess category!
Sometimes it's when we’re completely out of balance that we’re reminded of what gives us the most stability, what the essential components to restoring our own unique sense of balance are. Â
I have been too much ‘in my head’ for the last couple of months; words not flowing, feelings not flowing, doubt and worry filling any available space that's left. I recognise that most of the time I do my best to avoid the dark and imbalance which makes the inevitability of it even more uncomfortable! We need to experience both light and dark, balance and imbalance to be able to come back to centre.
The first step for me is recognising that I'm not in balance, accepting that that's okay, then I can find my way back.Â
Movement in the body helps to free up emotions. Getting back into my body gets me out of the head. Whether that's walking, shaking, running or practicing my beloved yoga.
Spending time outside. Two plants that have helped guide me back to balance recently are Cherry Laurel and Horse Chestnut. Both have striking blooms with a strong upward energy, a triangular cone shape (referred to sometimes as candles) and a sweet smell.Â
Cherry Laurel has been out for a number of weeks and Horse chestnut is beginning to emerge. I have been drawn to both by their shape and scent. Both have offered me insights that will form the theme for our next practice.
The triangle shape offers a lot of symbolism in many different faiths and philosophies. Some of which we will explore as the weeks progress. For now what I am drawn to is the stable structure; strong foundation and upward direction to a single point. The triangle shape also offers a sense of symmetry, we can explore balancing the left and right, masculine and feminine and the balance between holding on and letting go. There are a number of sutras that we can explore that link to these concepts.
The 2nd of Patanjali’s sutras is
1.2 Yogah cittavritti nirodhah
Yoga is the cessation of the movement of consciousness
Through a single point of focus during meditation, consciousness is able to move beyond the tip of the triangle.
2.7 & 2.8 ragah (desire) & dvesha (aversion)Â
Two of the five kleshas (afflictions that disturb the equilibrium of consciousness)
2.46 sthira sukham asanam
Asana is the perfect firmness of body, steadiness of intelligence and benevolence of spirit.
(steadiness & ease, the balance of holding on and letting go)
The energy of spring invites us to plant seeds, consciously choosing what to plant in the soil literally, but also metaphorically. Planting intentions into the structure/foundations of our lives, consciously choosing the direction of growth that we want to take into summer.Â
To balance the earth and water elements of spring, Ayurveda guides us to invite the qualities of fire and air. One way we can do this is to get outside more, get more natural sunlight and space, helping to shake off the dark heaviness of winter. Within our practice we’ll be continuing to work with the fire element of our core, generating heat and strength. We’ll be thinking of the triangle shape in our asanas; the stable foundation of each pose, the energetic line moving up the spine and a steady single point of focus for the mind.
So, not my usual lengthy Blog (might not be a bad thing!).....and at least it’s more than last month!
I look forward to seeing you on the mat next week, I’ve missed you all :)
Om shanti
Sophia