How to Channel Spring Inspiration into your Yoga Practice All Year Long
Yoga is a powerful tool for reconnecting inner spirit with the powerful energies of the seasons and the wisdom of the elements, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Before we officially welcome the early summer season and the Fire element into our yoga practice, let's review the lessons revealed during spring, the Wood element.
Identifying how spring fever manifests in ourselves and in our yoga practice will help us source powerful inspiration that we can channel into our yoga practice and daily lives all year long.
The Wood Element in Yoga Theory and Practice
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Taoist philosophy, spring is associated with the Wood element, which represents inspiration, growth, and new beginnings.
Some specifics examples of Wood element expressions in our yoga practice:
Beginning a yoga teacher training program (did you know we have one starting this December? Details are below)
Practicing a new sequence or posture
Going on a yoga retreat
Taking a familiar class with a different teacher or a different location
Experiencing the same class with a new playlist
I'm very particular about how and when music is used during yoga class, and playlists were definitely the bane of my existence as a studio owner! But I can't deny that new sounds vibrating underneath a yoga flow can give the same sequence an exciting new pop.
And just like the fun of a new playlist enlivens the same practice at any time of year, let's remember that the Wood element embodiment of new ideas, inspiration, and growth are always within us, no matter the season, and should be nurtured year round.
A Yoga Inspiration Quick Reference Guide
With this wisdom guiding us, we can distill three key lessons with corresponding actions to help nurture yoga inspiration and growth year-round:
# 1 Embrace New Beginnings
Can you imagine if we only allowed ourselves new things in springtime? How dull the rest of year would be! Continuously seek out new challenges and invite fresh starts onto the mat with you. Need ideas? Try one or more of these:
🕉️ Practice in a different spot -- I've seen how territorial yogis can be about their regular mat space in the practice room! If you really need an inspirational boost, set your mat as close to the teacher as you can to automatically step your focus up a notch.
😇 Set a new intention at the top of class. Dedicate your pracitce as a physical expression of this intention.
🧘♀️ Choose a mantra to help "protect your mind" from looping thoughts during yoga and/or meditation (you can read more about that here)
🫁 Zone into your breath and coordinate each move with this awareness.
🙋♀️ Finally ask your yoga teacher that posture question you've been afraid to ask. Apply the answer to the best of your ability and push through your comfort zone.
🙏 Sign up for a yoga workshop to deepen your yoga knowledge.
✴️ Apply for yoga teacher training.
# 2 Go Back to Basics
Developing strong roots to provide a foundation for upward growth is a key Wood element characteristic. Apply this on the yoga mat. We can't build an advanced posture on a poor foundation. Take time to continuously nurture the foundations of yoga practice not only physically, but on the mind, and soul level too. Ask questions, read books, listen to podcasts, and engage in yoga conversations.
# 3 Develop Concentration Through Observation
Eyes are the Wood element's sensory organ (Every body part is categorized with an element. We explore this more in YTT.) Everything we see creates a story in our minds that either attracts or repulses us. Instead of "seeing", learn to observe. Begin by honing in visual focus during yoga practice to begin to develop stronger concentration skills. The ability to concentrate brings mindfulness to daily living off the yoga mat, providing a refreshing break from the mental exhaustion of negative and useless looping thoughts.
Invite Zephros, the West Wind, to Yoga!
Our name, West Wind Yoga Retreat, was inspired by Zephyr, the ancient personification of the west wind, who was celebrated throughout Greece as the harbinger of spring. In Greek Mythology, Zephyr (also Zephyrus, Zephros, and in Greek, Ζέφυρος) is depicted as a handsome young man, the offspring of the Stars and the Dawn long ago. He wed the goddess of flowers and together they enjoyed endless spring.
Zephyrus and his gentle winds from the west are said to be ripe with new beginnings.
Every yoga class embodies a new beginning, a fresh start, and the possibility for growth, development, and change.
Thank you for being part of the West Wind Yoga Retreat community and welcome to our new members! Wherever you are in the world, whenever you are within the changing seasons, may you experience the grace of stepping onto your mat, enjoying a deep breath, and allowing the gentle breeze of Zephyr, the divine embodiment of the west wind, harbinger of spring and rebirth, to usher in a season of new beginnings for you.
In Conclusion
Even as spring fever passes and summer comes along, we must still tend our springtime Wood nature to feed our inspiration, intellect, and leadership skills, all Wood characteristics important to nourish year round. In yoga practice, we must equally seek out and embrace new challenges and the discomfort they bring, plus maintain our posture foundations, in order to progress into the next phase of practice, the Fire phase.
In the coming weeks, Asana Insights transitions with the changing season to embrace early summer‘s Fire element in our yoga practice and lifestyle. Get ready for passion, joy, and manifestation!
I hope you enjoyed our spring Wood element yoga season and learned something new about yourself and your practice! Please drop a comment below.
Namaste,
Lara
PS
For your convenience, here is a recap with quick links to content that examines Wood element characteristics, our yoga practice, and the relevance of applying ancient wisdom in our daily lives. Enjoy anything you may have missed or take a second look:
