Springtime brings changes and new possibilities. It is a great season to clean house: physically, mentally, emotionally and environmentally. Each spring I take extra time to clean out my life to come anew. Physically, I practice hot yoga to sweat and detoxify. I nourish my body with fresh, nutrient-dense foods. Mentally, I add five minutes to my regular meditation routine to access inner awareness and pull out any negative thought weeds to make space for fresh, positive thoughts to bloom. Emotionally, I engage in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) to cleanse away past wounds that are ready to heal. Environmentally, I clean my house starting with my closet by removing anything that I have not worn in the past year. Spring cleaning allows me to feel as though my life is a fresh canvas to paint on!
To spring clean your body, bring some twists into your life. Supine Twist is a gentle yoga posture that stimulates the digestive system for cleansing and purifying. It is restorative and healing for your body. It is a great posture to awaken your body in the morning, as well as to soothe you down for sleep. Other than giving you an internal organ massage, this posture stretches the back, shoulders and hips. Supine Twist improves overall circulation. Be mindful when you twist, especially if you have degenerative disks. If something pinches or sends a shooting pain, it is your body’s way of telling you to back off.
Lay on your back. Hug your right knee into your chest. Place your left hand on the outside of your right knee. Stretch your right arm straight out from your shoulder to the right. Press your right palm and shoulder blade down. Pull your right knee across your body to the left. Only go as far as it is possible without lifting your right shoulder. For more support, place a block under your right knee. Release your left arm out to the left. Turn your face to your right.
Breathe into your belly. As you inhale expand your belly blowing it up like a balloon. As you exhale, deflate the balloon and squeeze you belly into your spine. Take 10 breaths like this, mentally stating on inhale “I am refresh and anew,” and on exhale “I release the past.” Come back to center. Take a breath. Move to the other side. Namasté.
