Slowing Down Amidst the Spring Frenzy

Yep, that's me. Only a few years ago :)

Over the past month or so, the crazy weather in DC has really caught me off guard. Being from the south, I'm not used to drastic ups and downs like this, and it's been doing a number on my balance--both mentally and physically. Similarly, with the change in time (yes, I'm still adjusting from "springing forward"), I've felt a bit off-kilter for the past couple of weeks. In my typical fashion, my way of handling an imbalance in my life is by running around at a high-speed, like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to find a way to get on top of everything I have to do. In my efforts to find balance, I've actually been running myself ragged trying to fit everything in, and even though my days are getting longer, I'm still never really "done."

As we move into April and I stop to reflect on the past month, I realize that this pace is not sustainable or "balanced" at all. Each spring it seems that I jump up, energized by the sunlight, ready to take on the world, only to come falling back to reality a few weeks later, realizing that conquering the world does not mean living in a sleep-deprived state, or mindlessly moving from one "to-do" to the next. By stopping to notice the effects of my springtime hysteria on my life and my yoga practice, I know that it is truly time to slow down.

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I've witnessed this springtime frenzy in some of my classes, too, as students come in with a new found energy, but tighter shoulders and hips, and in some cases, difficulty listening to their bodies and not pushing past their edge. I've noticed this in my own practice, as well, and over the past week or so, have been making an extra effort to slow down--to step back, instead of jumping back to chaturanga, to take the modification when it feels right, and by coming into child's pose more often, searching for that moment of stillness in an otherwise constantly-moving day.

So, as April unfolds and the weather begins to get warmer, the cherry blossoms come out in full force, and we start to settle into the longer, sunlit days, I'm going to be working on slowing down. Taking time to unplug from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and to remind myself that the summer is on it's way and there is plenty of time to get everything done--while still taking time to stop and breathe.

Reflecting on this past month, have you been doing the run around, too? If so, how can you find simple ways to slow down the spring frenzy, and bask in the sunlight? Join me in setting an intention for the spring, and lets blossom together :)

[Taken from what I wrote for the Teacher Feature for the April Tranquil Space Newsletter. See the feature on the TS Blog, here]

Ways to slow down in April (you can schedule relaxation if you have to--sometimes it must be done!):
-Book a bit of self care (massage, facial, mani/pedi, etc). I've already booked a massage for April 22nd--can't wait!
-Spend 1 minute in pigeon pose on each side daily. Come into pose and just breathe. Do once every day for a week (post on pigeon coming soon...it's my fave pose of ALL time!).
-Take a long walk on a Sunday evening. Enjoy the sun on your face, flowers blooming, etc. Enjoy the present moment!
-Go to a local coffee shop with a good book. Buy a cup of coffee/tea, and sit there for 30mins-1hr, slowly sipping on your beverage and enjoying your reading material.
-Spend an afternoon in a creative venture: grab a camera and head outdoors to take pics of things that inspire you, sit down with some watercolors or colored pencils and draw things you love, get out some magazines and collage, art journal, etc.

Share: How has the spring frenzy messed with your balance? Or, have you been able to stay above it all, and if so, how?

Namaste!
Mary Catherine

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