Twist into Spring

TWIST INTO SPRING

The health and healing method of India, called Ayurveda, which means, “life wisdom,” is a very holistic practice that addresses diet, exercise, herbal medicine, breathwork, and meditation. Even the astrological system of India, called jyotish, which means, “heavenly light”, is taken into consideration. The idea is that the only way to achieve abiding balance and vitality is if all the parts are tended to. Springtime is considered the ideal season for cleansing and detoxification. So, like with the spring cleaning of a house, we do well to take a similar approach to the body—being a temple in itself, after all. In fact, Ayurveda recommends cleaning up any clutter from your life as part of your personal cleansing, like weeding the garden. This is also a good time to establish new habits, which is like getting new roots to take hold for growing in new directions.

Ama is said to be a buildup of stagnant energy in the body that occurs over the winter, especially in the colder northern climes, where the diet has tended to be more meat-based and rich in oils. Some of the dietary guidelines for the spring are to move away from red meat, oils, refined carbs, salt, and alcohol; drink lots of warm liquids, teas and soups; use mild spices such as, cumin, fennel, tumeric, black pepper, and ginger; eat more bitter arugula, kale, dandelion greens, and radishes... Also, grapefruit for is recommended for its astringent properties.

Ayurveda also recommends daily walking and exercise for your “dosha” (body type). The asana category of spinal twists is said to be especially good for aiding in digestion and detoxification, as well as cooling stresses throughout the mind/body system.

I have sequenced the some examples of these poses, starting with a few that don’t require getting fully down onto the floor, then a couple that do, and then back up looking at using a chair or a wall to assist.
Parivrtta Utkatasana / Twisting Chair Pose (bonus, leg strengthener)
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana / Twisting Side Angle (bonus, hip opener)
Prasarita Padottanasana C / (bonus, hamstring & inner thigh stretch)
Ardha Matsyendrasana, (bonus, deep twist with use of the arms)
Jathara Parivartanasana / Supine Belly Twist (bonus, relaxation)
Chair Seated Twist (bonus, use of the chair, and ease of availability)
Wall Standing Twist (arm bent or straight) / Chair Standing Twist (bonus, fun)
Chair Downward Facing Dog (bonus, chest stretch and postural benefit)
It is nice to finish with a lengthening pose that creates structural alignment, and a balanced feeling between the left and right sides of the body.

Cautions: don’t overdo these spinal twists. Vikruti is a Sanskrit word for your overall physical condition and potential imbalances. Honor where your body is at the time. Spinal twisting stimulates internal organs with each diaphragmatic breath, and activates deep core muscles. By maintaining your yoga practice you know you have time to allow for tight areas to open up. If you are new to yoga, you should definitely ease into it. No hurry. To paraphrase a Zen saying, “Sitting quietly in your pose, doing nothing, spring comes and the grass grows by itself.”
Inversions should also be used at this time to help move the sedimentation of energy called Ama that has settled in over the winter, like turning a jar upside down to get things moving and mixing. Then doing some spinal rotation wrings out the body like a washcloth.

Of the many yoga breathing techniques that may be used in different circumstances, the pranayama called Samma Vriti is especially good in the springtime to aid in detoxification and de-stressing. The pattern is simply breathing in (through the nose, ideally) for count of five, and out for a count of five, with a brief, comfortable pause in between each. A ratio of, in for 5, out for 8, can be for more of a calming effect.

The Ayurvedic program for seasonal balance upon coming into spring also calls for massage and steam baths. Now you can say you’re just doing your Pachakarma exercises for cleansing Ama from the body. Meditation and relaxation practice are important parts of a complete yoga program, perhaps cultivating the states of mind that go along with overall detoxification, such as forgiveness, gratitude, and playfulness—the Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu of sattvic consciousness—the mental states that allow true rebirth to occur.

Brian Paul Allison is a wellness specialist with the Center for Motivation and Change in New Marlborough Massachusetts, and founder of Wizards of Wellness, Holistic Fitness for Business, in Lenox. He is also a presenter on these topics, as described at wizardsofwellness.org, and brianpaulallison.com. His new book is a post-apocalyptic saga, like Orwell’s Animal Farm on steroids, called, The Dire Chronicles, and can be found at all ebook retailers.