In classical western medicine of the Greeks and in most major medical traditions around the world, health is defined as “balance”. Balance within a single human body and between a person or people and their social and natural environment. Healing then, is the process of restoring balance. In yoga and the traditional Indian practice of Ayurvedic medicine, RESTORATION allows the body to heal itself. Health and healing become the responsibility of the “patient” --- knowing one’s own constitution (make up and needs), lifestyle, diet and relationships become the most effective “medicine” prescribed.



The great yoga master T. Krishnamacharya adjusted his approach to practicing and teaching yoga to correspond with the time of year. Ease the transition to spring by creating “sukha”, which means “good space” or
a general state of health and happiness. To increase sukha in your practice, one can add more hip work, which frees up “good space” in the densest part of the body: the pelvis and legs. Eating lighter foods and establishing a routine energizing practice, according to the principles of Ayurveda, will stoke a healthy digestive “agni”, or “fire,” which is key for health. A strong internal fire is also thought to arm you with the discrimination and courage to separate what is essential from nonessential, healthy from toxic, wise from foolish.

While the best way to get “fire” and “sweetness” into the musculature of the body is to move it, the way to invigorate internal organ function is through stillness. In a Restorative Yoga Practice there is no muscle exertion, but instead the practitioner relies on the support of “props”- bolsters, blankets, blocks. According to Judith Lasater, these sequences recharge the body and mind by providing a completely supportive environment for total relaxation and a ‘tune-up’ of body functions inside and out. The spine is moved in all directions through twisting and bending insuring its alignment and overall healthy neural function. Inverted poses which raises the feet above the heart, reverse the effects of gravity.
Through inversion, blood, lymph and other fluids are returned to the upper body and heart function is enhanced. By closing the abdomen with a forward bend and then opening it with a backbend, the abdominal organs are squeezed, forcing the blood out, and then opened, so that fresh blood returns to soak the organs. This enhances the exchange of oxygen and waste products across the cell membrane.

Yoga teaches that the body is permeated with energy. Prana, the masculine energy, resides above the diaphragm, moves upward, and controls respiration and heart rate. Apana, the feminine energy, resides below the diaphragm, moves downward, and controls the function of the abdominal organs. Restorative yoga balances these two aspects of energy so that the practitioner is neither over stimulated nor depleted. This is achieved through controlled breathing (pranayama) coupled with these long held passive postures (3-6 minutes each) and a focused meditative state.

Cleansing Sequences in Yoga offer the practitioner an opportunity to remove impurities from the body and improve digestion and evacuation. Properly sequenced opened and closed twisting, compression of the lower abdomen in forward extension and the building of “heat” (agni) in back bending and flowing sequences coupled with yogic breathing allow this internal heat to build and for cleansing perspiration and exhalation.

In yoga, no poses so clearly embody the essence of the spiral as twists do. You can find twists within every category of pose: standing, seated, inverted, and reclining. They are powerful cleansing postures, working deeply on the internal organs in a “squeeze-and-soak” action. As you squeeze a sponge to rid it of dirty water, the twists squeeze
the abdominal organs, forcing out toxins and waste. You can buy cleansing products, but a simple daily cleansing routine can go a long way to maintaining a healthy body and avoid the need for more invasive techniques or fasting.

Cleansing and Balancing Breathwork can also play a role in your health and well being. Kapapabhati (breath of fire) breath pushes the abdominal muscles in and out forcefully and repetitively, expelling impurities from the lungs and the “lower abdomen” where the “heat” created has reduced these impurities to a form which can be exhaled. Kapalabhati is traditionally practice midway through or at the end of practice, once heat building in the body has allowed the collection of waste. Exhalation retentions may also be used to strongly expel impurities and restore balance and health to the body.

Using a Neti Pot to clean out the sinuses is part of a larger practice of keeping the body healthy and open called “kriyas” in yoga. A Neti pot flushes the sinuses with simple salt water and used on a daily basis keeps out colds and allergies at bay.

Learning more about these yoga and Ayurvedic practices can open you to a world of better health.

Most importantly, remember to get outside and make time to watch the beauty which unfolds in Springtime. You want to transition into Springtime with grace and ease.