Embracing the Wisdom of Spring for Self-Care, Well Being & Personal Growth
- Nichola Day
- 5 days ago
- 11 min read
With the chill of winter fading away, the vibrant colours of spring bring a renewed sense of hope. This season offers us a chance not only to bask in the blooming flowers and warmer weather, but also to adapt our self care to make the most of the energetics of the season. It also provides the perfect backdrop to gain deeper insight into ourselves through leaning in to the teachings of the season. Through my own experience I have become fascinated by the turnings of each season and how we can ease the transition from one to the other, simply by slowing down and tuning in to the essence of each part of nature's cycle. By integrating ideas from Yoga, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and my own experience personally, and professionally as Yoga & Meditation Teacher and Therapist, I’ve crafted this guide in hope that it might enrich your spring experience and support you in your own personal journey.
The Energetics of Spring
At its heart, Spring symbolises renewal and growth. The quickening of life can be felt in the outside world as it hums with the growth of emerging buds, leaves and animals preparing for the birth of their young. It can be a joyous time after the dark of the Winter and can flood us all with a sense of relief that the lighter, brighter days have come at last! Yet there is more to Spring than this. What can often be overlooked is the amount of effort, courage and trust that is required for all things to grow and emerge from its wintery cocoon. For many of us, this emergence can sometimes feel jarring, sudden and exhausting. Without realising it, we may have gone quite quickly from quiet days and introverted evenings cosied up with a blanket, to increased time out in the lighter, brighter world. This can be tiring for our system and so at this transitional time, we are more prone to experience imbalances within our bodies and minds as we adjust to the new rhythm.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches that the Spring is governed by the wood element. This element is associated with growth, expansiveness, determination, hope, enthusiasm and vision. This certainly sums up the feeling at this time, but like the tender shoots of new plants in our garden, our own areas of growth can be vulnerable when it first begins emerging. In our busy lives, this rising wood energy can become blocked, or imbalanced through the feeling of being rushed, that there is not enough time, or even through coming up obstacles that can leave us feeling stuck. For these reasons, it is thought that we are more likely to experience frustration and anger at this time - the two emotions associated with the wood element and this time of year. All elements in the Chinese system are associated with a pair of organs, and the wood element is associated with the Liver and Gall Bladder. It is said that one of the main roles of the Liver is to allow energy, or qi to move smoothly around the body and mind. When this doesn't do so, it stagnates and some common signs of this, might include headaches, dizziness, eye issues, and neck & shoulder tension, as well as those emotions of frustration and anger. And so from this perspective, Spring can be a time to support ourselves in becoming aware of where we feel blocked, stuck and frustrated, so that we can find flow and balance once again.
In the world of Yoga and Ayurveda, Spring encourages us to reflect on what needs releasing and cleansing, as well as where we are feeling stuck, so that we can do what is needed to create space for our own growth. As such, it is a perfect time to focus on the teaching of Saucha. Saucha is one of the 5 Niyamas (Niyamas being the second limb of the eight Limbs of Yoga as set out in The Yoga Sutras). Saucha teaches us to be aware of bringing a purity and cleanliness into our daily life and practice. This is not just about washing hands and having a clean home, but also about cleansing the mind of thoughts and beliefs that do not support our growth. Through our physical Yoga practice we can foster a deeper connection to our bodies so that we can be aware of those stuck places, or aspects of ourselves that would benefit from a 'Spring clean'. When our spaces, body, mind and spirit feel clear and free of what clutters us, we are provided with room to grow and to feel good.
In a similar vein, Ayurveda also highlights the importance of balancing our doshas during this transition. Within this perspective, Spring is said to be dominated by Kapha dosha. Kapha dosha is governed by the elements of water and earth. Like these elements, Kapha is moist, heavy and slow. These qualities bring nourishment, reliability, structure and endurance - just the things you need in the Spring to provide a strong foundation for the growth to come. Howver, too much can manifest as a physical and mental dullness, fogginess and inertia - essentially feeding in to a feeling of stagnancy. Examples of this include; having put on a little extra weight, struggling to shift a chesty cough or cold, or feeling lethargic and even experiencing depression. In order to rebalance, we are asked to focus on releasing all that is weighing us down and to practice those things that will help us release any stagnancy, so that we can benefit from the forward momentum of this time. Easier said than done, I know. Yet this is waht the Spring requires - effort. Just like the shoot emerging from the acorn, we must break through the tough outer casing to find our growth.
Spring Practices for the Body & Mind
Practicing Yoga and Mindfulness at home can be a great way to support your body and mind dring this transition. Specific practices can be used to help free up stagnation, as well as help with feelings of frustration and anger. As with any form of at-home practice, it is importance to do so with a connection to yourself and of your needs. Below I share a liste of some of the things I will be doing in my practices this season.View them simply as suggestions and adapt them to suit you:
1. Sun Salutations
Kick off your mornings with a few rounds of Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar). This dynamic sequence of poses energises the body, mind and spirit. The flow of movements in rhythm with the breath helps you to wake the body and mind, supporting the release of any feelings of stagnation and supports you to cultivate a positive mindset for the day.
2. Side Bends
Spring is an excellent time to practice Side bending poses that help to release any tension and open up through the respiratory system, so that you can breath in full and deep. Side bends also move into the meridians of the Liver and Gall Bladder, helping to keep qi flowing smoothly. Poses such as banana, Triangle pose (Trikonasana) and Side angle (Utthita Parsvakonasana) are perfect for fostering openness and flexibility, whist still remaining grounded and stable.
3. Shake Off Frustration
It is normal to feel angry and frustrated from time to time. Bottling it up can be just as detrimental to having sudden outbursts. So finding a way to let these emotions move easily through the body is important. When anger and frustration call by, try the following:
In a standing position, with the feet a little wider than hip width explore swinging and shaking the arms from side to side and then from front to back. I find it helpful to incorporate deep inhalations, followed by audible sighing, or voiced exhalations out through the mouth. Combined, this can help you move feelings of anger and frustration through the body. This then allows you to channel remaining energy into finding a solution and taking necessary action, rather than being consumed by the emotions and creating further tension.
4. Meditation for Awareness of Self
Practicing meditation is a great way to re-find balance through deepening your self awareness. When we are connected to our body and breath in mindful styles of meditation, we are more likely to notice what we need and therefore able to address any imbalances earlier. This could be as simple as realising we have a sore back and need to stretch, or that we are more exhausted than we thought and so need to rest. It also supports an increased awareness of those emotions that may be lurking beneath the surface, which we ordinarily might not pay much attention to. Start simply with sitting for 5 minutes, taking time to settle with a few slow and deep breaths. Once settled, aim to keep the attention focused on the body. You can gently guide the awareness from part to part, asking the simple question 'How am I feeling?' as you do so. It always surprises me the things I discover when I take time to ask this question.
5. Alternate Nostril Breathing
Alternate nostril breathing, or Nadi Shodhana is a powerful technique that supports finding balance in the body and mind, as well as helping to cleanse our respiratory passages and our energetic body. I am always amazed at how I feel after just a few minutes of this practice. If I have been feeling lethargic, this technique some how lifts me. Equally, when I have felt wired, this practice soothes my nervous system and helps me find calm. To practice it, begin by gently closing off the right nostril with one of your fingers/thumb. Inhale a long, slow breath through the left nostril. At the top of the inhale, release the right nostril and switch to gently close off the left. Then exhale fully out through the right nostril. At the end of the exhale, take a deep breath in through the right nostril, release the left nostril, gently close of the right and exhale fully through the left nostril. This is one complete round. Take a few more rounds for 3-5 minutes and when complete pause to notice how you feel.
Savasana
Savasana (Corpse pose), I believe is totally underrated. For me it is the complete embodiment of letting go and surrendering. This might seem at odds with the energy of Spring, however it is a perfect way to keep returning to the support of the earth, and in turn finding a place to rest amidst the busy growth season. During the potential frustrations, effort and feverishness of the Spring there is a danger of becoming very busy in the mind with lists of 'to dos' and a feeling of relentlessness. Coming to lie on the ground, with perhaps some light support behind the head and backs of knees can be hugely supportiive. The growth of the plants all around us get much of their sustenance and support from the earth, so why not us too? While in the momentum of forward motion, it is also important to remember the power of giving up our efforts to something greater. In savasana we can simply pause amidst our work of the season, rest, let go and give it all up to the gods for a short time.
Spring Reflections for the Soul
Taking care of the body and mind is one part of how to work with the season of Spring. Another aspect involves leaning in to the deeper teachings of the season as a route to deeper inner reflection and personal growth. Here are three forms of inner work, aligned with what tends to come up in the Spring. You may not need to work with them all, so choose what resonates and leave the rest - or come back to them later in the season.
1. Working with Anger & Frustration
When anger and frustration rises, it can be really uncomfortable and often we don't know what to do with it - other than squash it down. One option is to engage in a physical practice, such as the shaking and swinging mentioned earlier. Many times, this might be the best course of action. However, it can be an insightful exercise to engage with the anger/frustration first to uncover what its deeper message is. To do this, the next time you sense these emotions rising explore the following if you feel able to:
Pause and find a quiet space to sit comfortably and be with the emotion for a moment. If anything feels too intense you might be better off working with the physical 'shake it off' practice from above first/instead.
If happy to proceed, close the eyes and take a couple of deeper, sighing breaths.
Intentionally turn the awareness inwards.
When ready, focus the awareness on the feelings of anger/frustration.
Notice the sensations they bring into the body. Ask - where do I feel them, what are the sensations like? What is the temperature/colour/shape of the sensations?
You might also become aware of any thoughts that come into the mind space as you focus on the sensations of anger/frustration.
Once you feel connected to these feelings, without being overwhelmed by them, you might ask the question 'What is my anger trying to tell me?' and listen for a response.
When you feel ready to return, thank the body and your anger/frustration before closing with another deep breath in and out.
After practising this short meditation it can be helpful to journal about your experience. You might also enjoy further exploration of this topic by also reflecting on the following prompts:
What is my anger trying to tell me?
Are my needs feeling met right now?
How might this contribute to my feelings of anger & frustration?
In which ways do I feel stuck?
How might I channel these feelings into action that supports my needs and goals?
Is there anything that needs voicing?
Following on from this, you may benefit from engaging in more physical and expressive practices to help release any emotional residue and tension. Some examples include painting, drumming, or even vocal release, such as yelling into a pillow, humming, or singing. When we work with difficult emotions in this way, I have found that they can become helpful teachers, often revealing something important to our personal growth.
2. Releasing Stagnation
Old thought patterns, outdated self-beliefs, and emotional baggage often keep us feeling stuck and missing out on achieving our goals. This is a time to declutter the inner world as well as the external one.
Why not practice 'Mental Spring Cleaning'? To do this write down any limiting belief, or repetitive negative thought that keeps cropping up for you. Take a moment to reflect on each one and explore what core emotion is at the root - Fear? Guilt? Resentment? What ever it might be, see if you can dig into the depths to find out what is the heart of the matter. You then might challenge them—asking each thought or belief, 'Is this true? Is this a helpful thought? Does this belief serve me, or does it take from me?
You might then turn your attention to the feelings at the core of the belief or thought and try to understand what this feeling needs. For example, a limiting belief of 'I could never do that job', might come from a fear of being judged. Maybe that fear needs some reassurance. Whatever the feeling and whatever the need, look to ways you can acknowledge it, feel it and can give to yourself the reassurance that it needs.
3. Embracing Our Growth
Spring is an expansive season, inviting us to break free from what’s confining us and step into our authentic, untamed selves. If we’ve felt constricted and stuck in some area of our life, another approach is to connect with our wilder side and the ways in which we want to find freedom. Use the following journal prompts as a way to connect with this aspect of yourself:
Where have you been saying yes when you meant no?
Where have you been saying no, but really want to say yes?
Where have you been holding back out of fear?
What does freedom mean to you?
How would it look in your life?
What part of you is ready to expand?
Where have you been playing small?
How can you step into your own power?
When do you feel most alive and expansive?
If it feels like a good way to express your thoughts, you moight use your refletions to create a vision board, or design some kind of image that sums up all that helps you to find greater expansion and freedom. Displaying this image somewhere prominent in your home can be a daily reminder of what you are working towards.
Spring’s energy is catalytic—it asks us to shed, release, and move forward. And it can be painful and tiring to even get going. But by looking after our body and mind through our daily practices, as well as working with, rather than against the seasonal themes, we can transmute frustration into momentum, anger into passion, and stagnation into creative action. Wherever you are at and whatever your Spring looks like for you, I hope that the season and its teachings provide you with a pathway towards greater wellbeing, peace and joy in being all of you!
Nichola Day
Yoga Teacher & Therapist, Meditation Teacher, Writer & Neurodivergent Advocate.
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