Revitalise your mind and body with this Spring Renewal Wood Element Yoga Sequence. Spring is represented by the wood element which is associated with renewal, growth, and movement. You may also think of the wood element as the earth. Slowing down and moving through life with greater purpose and intention can bring you balance, self-growth, and a greater ability to adapt. A slow, gentle restorative practice can build both inner and outer strength and help us grow. Practice the following slow flow inspired by the wood element to build up your strength and feel renewed this Spring.
Refresh Your Practise with this Spring Yoga Sequence
Cat and Cow Sequence: Begin on your hands and knees (hands beneath the shoulders and knees beneath the hips) for cat and cow pose, really pushing your hands into the mat and arching your back during each posture. Flow through as many cats and cows as it takes to link your breath to your movement.
Downward Dog to Upward Dog “Waves”
Lift your hips into Downward Dog, remaining there for as long as it feels right for you. Then, in a fluid movement, shift into a Plank, then to Chatarunga, before pausing in Upward Dog. Be sure your knees are lifted off of the mat and you’re pushing up strong through your arms, not allowing your shoulders to slump. Lift back up into your Downward Dog and repeat this fluid movement like waves until you’re ready for a rest.
Pigeon Pose:
From Downward Dog, pull one knee forward in between your arms down to the mat, coming into your Pigeon Pose. Continue to push up strong through your arms just as you were in your Upward Dog, so that this is not a passive posture. Imagine someone is pulling a string from the crown of your head and your spine is extending toward the sky, so that you are growing here. When you’re ready, lift back up into Downward Dog and move into Pigeon on the other side.
Eagle Pose:
This is the peak posture of the flow and requires you to slow down and move with intention reinforcing mental and physical balance. From Downward Dog, you may walk your hands back toward your feet, keeping a slight bend in the knee, coming into a relaxed Forward Fold. When you’re ready, roll up slowly through your spine and reach your arms overhead bringing them down in front of your heart into a prayer position. Kick one foot out to the side, shifting all of your weight into your standing foot and begin to squat. Bring your other leg over your squatting leg, wrapping your foot around your calf. You may stay here or incorporate Eagle Arms into the posture by reaching both arms out and crossing one arm over and bending the arms at the elbow. Stay here for as long as you feel strong and balanced then untwist yourself beginning with the arms and then the legs. Shake everything out and complete your Eagle Pose on the other side.
Savasana With a Spring Renewal Meditation:
To transition to your back, reach your arms overhead before falling into your Forward Fold. Then walk your arms out into a Plank before lifting your hips up into your last Downward Dog. Shift to hands and knees before sitting back on your heels. You may pause here with your hands in front of your heart to steady your breathing. Bring your legs out in front of you, reach your arms out straight ahead of you, and use your core to come down to your back slowly.
Release tension as your Spring Yoga Sequence draws to a close. On your back, rest your arms at your side, palms facing upward, and allow your feet to fall open. You may remain in Savasana for as long as you wish, mindfully releasing tension and relaxing every part of your body. When your body is fully relaxed, think about all the ways in which you are strong and in which ways you wish to grow this Spring.
If you can control the rising of the mind into ripples, you will experience yoga.
Patanjali
When you slow your practice down, learn how to listen to your body, and focus on moving mindfully through asanas such as these, the mind can rest and your thoughts become more manageable. As I like to remind myself, yoga is the one workout that is truly a work-in.