“Keep your face always toward the sunshine — and shadows will fall behind you.”
— Walt Whitman

Welcome spring! The days are stretching out, the sun is warming our skin, and the world seems to be waking up from its winter slumber. It's no wonder our spirits feel lighter too! Sunshine has a powerful effect on our mood, boosting serotonin levels and leaving us feeling more energized and optimistic. Warmer weather also gets us outside, soaking up the fresh air and connecting with nature's vibrant renewal. It's a time to feel alive, open, and ready to blossom along with the world around us.

Just like plants reaching for the sun, our yoga practice can mirror this natural impulse to grow taller and lighter. In yoga, we often use the imagery of "lengthening the spine" – a practice that goes beyond just physical posture. As we stretch and open our bodies, we create space for a more expansive sense of being. We invite a lightness of spirit to flow through us, mirroring the lengthening days and the promise of new beginnings.

Yoga, with its focus on breath and mindful movement, is the perfect tool to cultivate this feeling of reaching towards the light. The beauty of yoga is that it offers a variety of postures and practices to cultivate this feeling of growth and lightness. Gentle seated movement of the spine forward & back, side leans, and even twists can all help to energize the spine. By focusing on lengthening & aligning our bodies, and cultivating deep, invigorating breaths, we create not just physical flexibility, but also a sense of internal growth and expansion.

Want to experience this feeling for yourself? Check out my latest Take 5 Yoga video, Spine & Torso Mobility. This gentle flow focuses on stretches and movements that will keep your spine long and flexible, encouraging your entire body to reach upwards and embrace the light.

Join us for any Midlife Yoga class this month as we explore the theme of Reaching Toward the Light. You can learn more & register by clicking right here.

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Until next time,

~ Rosemary