Spring is Here!

WELCOME TO SPRING! 

Over the last few weeks we have been talking in our classes about detoxing and renewal during this new Spring season. This month I am hoping to share some tips and information that might be helpful to you during this season.

KAPHA SEASON
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According to the Ayurvedic seasons we have moved out of the Vata season which is generally late fall to early winter, with Kapha taking over the second half of winter and lasting through spring. In many areas, specifically the Seattle area, that means plenty of wet weather, which is exactly what we have been seeing over the last few days.
During this wet and sticky time of the year, it is important to move your body to balance the heavy, wet and sticky effects of the Kapha season. This can include an invigorating vinyasa flow or adding more twists to detoxify your internal organs during your yoga practice.

In addition to moving your body, it is also important to fuel and feed your body with the proper nutrition. Every person has a different constitution, so each person’s diet will be different, during the Kapha season, we may favor foods that are light, dry and warm. Foods with pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes are most beneficial for pacifying Kapha. Adding spices to our food, eating seasonally and keeping things warm and light during this time of year will help you feel more healthy and balanced.

MERCURY IN RETROGRADE
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Have you been feeling a little out of balance, chaotic or scattered the last few weeks? It might be because Mercury is in retrograde. It started on March 22 and will continue until April 15, 2018. During this time the planet Mercury entered apparent retrograde motion, marking the three-week span of misfortune down on Earth.

Retrograde motion is when a planet appears, when observed from Earth, to reverse direction. Because Mercury is moving backwards during this time, we may be feeling issues of confusion, delay, and frustration. By knowing when Mercury is in retrograde, we can take this as a sign from the universe to try and be more careful and a bit slower, giving ourselves a little more patience and self-love during this time. For additional information on Mercury in retrograde and to mark your calendar for the upcoming 2018 dates, click here for the details.

SANGHA: Sanskrit word meaning Community
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If you are interested adding more yoga into your life, of course I would love for you to sign up for my Sunrise Yoga Series, but if you want to find other times to practice, I highly recommend Sangha Yoga on Queen Anne hill. Located in the former Om Culture location at 8 Boston Street. Sangha offers a wide variety of classes and teachers and it is a loving, warm and inviting community.

I am partial to this studio because it is where I did my teacher training, I am a substitute teacher and a Karma Yogi here, but in addition to that, the owners, Heather and Scott Falkin have transformed the studio into a super inviting, luxurious space, that makes you feel invigorated and grounded as you float out the door. Come check out Heather’s 90-minute Bhakti class on Thursday mornings at 9:30 am (your first class is free!). I do my Karma Yogi work on this day and I truly love being guided through the intentional chanting, pranayama (breathwork) and movement offered in each class.

Get Into Nature This Spring
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If you want to connect with nature this Spring, here are a few different outings in the area that can help you enjoy all that Spring has to offer:

— If you move quick, you may still be able to catch the Cherry Blossoms at the University of Washington

— April is the month for tulips in Washington, to see all the blooms head up to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival April 1-30th

— Enjoy Free National Park Day! Washington has some amazing National Parks and entrance is free the week of April 21st.