Adapt your spring yoga practice to match the season’s energy using breathwork, movement, and Ayurvedic wisdom.
We all know intuitively that the weather outside can affect how we feel on the inside. On a simple level, we feel cold in winter weather and tend to sweat when it heats up. Many of us also notice changes in our mood and energy level as the seasons pass by.
In the health science of Ayurveda, which shares many roots with Yoga practice, this is described as the effect of the gunas, universal qualities which are shared by everything from our bodies and minds to the world around us.
Why Your Spring Yoga Practice Should Shift with the Season
When it comes to the gunas, like increases like. This means that when it’s hot outside, it tends to heat things up – including our bodies and minds. If you happen to run a little hot already or otherwise be sensitive to these changes, you might notice that hot weather affects you more quickly and more profoundly than others around you.
If like increases like, then opposites create balance, and this is where our power lies according to Ayurveda. To some extent, we do this by instinct. For example, there’s nothing like a cool drink on a hot day! Because everything is considered to have the same qualities, Ayurvedic practitioners are experts in using a wide range of approaches to creating balance in a way that’s personalized for your needs.
When it comes to Yoga, we can consider the qualities evoked by our yoga practice to help move us towards balance.
Spring can bring a heavy, sluggish feeling—especially in late winter and early spring. You might notice:
- Lethargy or low motivation
- Physical congestion or stiffness
- Resistance to movement or change
Your spring yoga practice can be designed to counter these effects and bring more lightness, warmth, and energy into your body.
What to Include in Your Spring Yoga Practice
To balance spring’s heavy and damp qualities, aim for a yoga practice that:
- Warms you up
- Uplifts you
- Energizes your body
- Moves and activates your muscles
- Focuses on your chest (especially the heart and lungs)
Think breath practices that are warming and energizing, such as:
- Ujjayi Pranayama
- Kapalabhati Pranayama
- Breath of Joy
Please note: Always practice breath work under the supervision of a qualified teacher or yoga therapist if you are new to it.
Use mudras (hand gestures), mantras (sacred phrases), and meditations that focus on the heart and lungs, and are energizing and uplifting.
Yoga Poses to Support Your Spring Energy
For yoga poses, this is a good time for flowing movement – but it doesn’t have to be fast or challenging to have the desired effects! Think about getting your whole body moving, focusing on your breathing, and maybe include some gentle backbends or other postures that bring awareness to the chest, heart, and lungs. Lifting your arms, stretching upwards, and turning your gaze upward can bring more of a light, energetic feel to your practice if these feel good in your body.
If you’re naturally slow, committed, patient, and run cold, go at your own pace and consider starting with meditative practices and smaller / slower movements, taking lots of time to warm up and then building the practice to a higher level of intensity if that feels good to you.
Personalize Your Spring Yoga Practice Based on Your Nature
Your internal state may not always match the calendar. Here’s how to adapt:
If you’re naturally cold, slow, or sluggish:
- Warm up slowly but steadily
- Build energy over time with breath and movement
- Choose uplifting, activating postures
If you’re fast-moving, analytical, or driven:
- Use spring as an opportunity to slow down
- Emphasize heart-centered themes
- Balance movement with mindfulness and love
If you’re anxious, scattered, or in pain:
- Embrace slower pacing
- Ground your practice with focus on the feet and legs
- Stay warm but avoid overly light or stimulating elements
Final Thoughts on Spring Yoga Practice
Let your spring yoga practice reflect both the energy of the season and your personal needs. Don’t just go on autopilot because it’s “supposed to be spring.” Tune in to your inner and outer environment. Listen to your body. And choose the practices that feel nourishing and energizing—for you.
Ready to Refresh Your Spring Yoga Practice?
If this seasonal shift has you feeling off balance, I’d love to help you reconnect with your body’s natural rhythms. Whether you’re new to yoga or looking to deepen your practice with an Ayurvedic lens, I offer personalized sessions and seasonal wellness tools to support you. Reach out to schedule a session or join my email list for more seasonal yoga tips, guided practices, and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Let’s make your spring yoga practice work for you.
