A Seasonal System to Practice and Teach
After years of teaching and more years of practicing, I found that I was getting into the ruts of doing the same practice without a rhythm or structure to follow.
This created boredom and was random in my practice and teaching.
I have realized that I like rhythms and systems to follow. I lived out west for years without seasons, thinking that I would love to live in the eternal spring/summer weather, but I found that I felt lost in the monotony of nice weather and couldn't remember what season it was, which was disconcerting.
When I found the seasonal rhythm of the meridians (energy pathways) to activate and have specific meditations and breathwork that corresponded to the energy and emotions of the season, it gave my practice and teaching an intelligent format to follow that made intrinsic sense.
Otherwise, I was shooting in the dark with what meditation, pranayama technique, or poses I wanted to teach.
According to Chinese Medicine each season has a pair of organs that are energetically running the strongest. Stimulating the meridians (the energy pathways of the organs) through yoga poses and qigong sets creates a balanced flow of energy that affects us physically, emotionally and mentally.
Knowing the emotions that were most prevalent in each season helped me see them arise and understand that this energy was not only running through me but was also in the collective. Having practices that tended to them, to bring them back into balance, was revolutionary to me and my students.
It helps to know that we are not alone when we struggle with difficult emotions. One of the most unique aspects of this seasonal practice is having specific practices that flip dark emotions to their opposite.
For instance, in the spring, when I feel frustrated or impatient (all aspects of anger, which is the dark emotion of the liver qi that arises in the spring), I use specific meditations and breathwork to shift that aggressive energy into its positive, which is inspiration and an easy-going disposition. And they work!
I come from a long line of impatient women, and having these practices at my fingertips helps me not repeat that unsavory behavior I witnessed and swore I would never be like.
I can design my sequences to stimulate the meridians of the liver and gallbladder, which regulate the energy flow, so I naturally feel generous, inspired, and kind, which are the aspects of balanced liver qi.
This makes teaching much easier and provides relevant information to share that my students resonate with. Speaking of the prevalent emotions in the season helps us understand that it's not just us feeling them, but it's in the natural world as well!
When a seed sprouts, it requires rajasic energy to rise up, especially in rocky soil (non-optimal conditions), which can result in frustration and anger.
But when energy flows easily and is well-balanced, that raja energy can shift to endurance (from the kidneys in the winter) and inspiration (from the liver) to keep going and grow around that rock (or perceived obstacle).
Here are some of the poses I like to work with in the spring to activate the liver/gallbladder meridians.
To keep the focus in each of these poses we move the qi with our mind and breath: (an ancient Qigong technique)
INHALE up the liver meridian; from the big toes, up the inner legs. to the ribs
EXHALE down the gallbladder meridians; from the outer eyes, down the outer body, hips, legs to 4th toes.
Parsvakonasana - Extended Side Angle
This is a staple standing pose that strengthens the flow of energy up and down the liver and gallbladder meridians.
Ardha Chandrasana - Half Moon Pose
This standing balance is both strengthening and stretching the liver and gallbladder meridians.
Balance postures are especially important in the spring, to root down firmly, se we're not toppled over by wind or weather (or turbulent emotions) during the growth sprouting stage.
Vrksasana - Tree Pose
Tree pose is the best example of the wood season's sprouting energy. It stimulates the liver and gallbladder meridians and reminds us to be strongly rooted so we can rise, grow and expand.
This applies in each season.
Early summer FIRE season corresponds to the heart and small intestine qi that runs through the arms and transforms anxiety into a peaceful and joyful way of being.
Inhale up the small intestine meridians
Exhale down the heart meridians
The late summer EARTH season corresponds to the stomach and spleen energy transforming worry and doubt to a grounded trust and confidence.
Inhale up the spleen meridians
Exhale down the stomach meridians
The autumn METAL season corresponds to the lungs and large intestine energy, transforming sadness and grief into emotional resiliency, integrity, and discipline.
Inhale up the large intestine meridians
Exhale down the lung meridians
The winter WATER season corresponds to the kidney and bladder energy, transforming fear into endurance and willpower.
Inhale up the kidney meridians
Exhale down the bladder meridians
This seasonal system creates a harmonious flow with the natural world and provides a clear road map to designing classes that address the
Physical practice: choosing poses to activate the meridians
Emotions and energy: through specific pranayama and meridian breathing
Spiritual: with seasonal meditations, philosophy and dharmic teachings
Join our Masters Path (for inspired yogis) or the 300-hour Teacher Training (for teachers who want a seasonal system to follow and a mastermind of teachers to grow with) this weekend for our SPRING training, which will transform anger and frustration into inspiration and Kindness.
Not ready to commit yet? No problem, join the weekend workshops, and if you feel called to join the Master's Path or 300 Teacher training, you can roll the weekend workshop cost into the program.
Saturday: 3/16
11:45-1:30 Kundalini for the SPRING. Practicing Kundalini kriyas to clear anger and frustration
1:30-2: Vegan Lunch!
2-4pm Meridian Flow, focusing on yoga and qigong to stimulate the Living Qi and tap into the Observer, our superpower!
Sunday 3/17
10-11:15 Sacred Sunday, mindfully addressing the season's emotions.
11:45-2pm: The Wisdom of Yin with the Yoga Sutras and communal discussion.
Register here for the SPRING Master's Path + 300TT weekend workshops!
Here are the 2024 Master Path/300TT weekends to add to your calendar:
Spring A: March 16-17
Spring B: April 27-28
Early Summer A: June 1-2
Early Summer B: July 6-7
Late Summer A: August 24-25
Late Summer B: September 21-22
Autumn A: October 19-20
Autumn B: November 16-17
Winter A: December 14-15
Winter B: January 11-12 2025
I look forward to seeing you all soon!
Blessings,
Maggie