How do You Support Your Growth?

Transitioning from a freezing winter to a scorching summer in Costa Rica in just a few hours made it seem as though we had bypassed spring entirely.

I love the transitions from one season to the next more than being at the peak of each season—especially winter into spring. We are one month away from the spring equinox, which means we are in winter's last stage. Even if there is more snow or cold weather, the promise of spring is near.

After living out west for many years, where the winters weren't really winter, the spring was anticlimactic. May wasn't May like it is in the Northeast. It was as if a critical stage of growth was missed. This realization of going through the dark, cold time of year to produce the inspiration for new growth seems worth it to me.

It gives meaning to going through hard times to create new insights, realizations, and awareness. The winter represents the darkness of the unknown, which is often scary. Hence, the emotion that arises in the winter water element time of year is fear.

Kidney chi is strongest in winter. Weak kidney energy causes fear, while abundant and balanced kidney chi fosters endurance and willpower.

Endurance and willpower are essential for growing from a seed in winter to a sprout in spring, a flower in early summer, and a fruit in late summer. The five elements of Chinese medicine, which describe these life stages, can be applied to the growth of ideas in their early stages.

The seed of an idea in winter is an inspirational sprout that grows in the spring. Lots of loving care is needed from the seed to the sprout. The water element has to be ample and balanced for a well-rooted sprout to survive. Deficient water chi will only produce shallow roots that can quickly become uprooted or shriveled by fear and doubt.

So, how do we create sufficient water energy in these last stages of winter to ensure the sprouting of new growth, ideas, and inspiration? We build physical strength, which creates the mental fortitude and emotional resiliency required for new growth to bear fruit.

Water teaches us about the patience and endurance of a trickle, creating a cavern. Small steps create big things. The start of a well deep in the earth rising up to a spring, creating a stream that flows into a river and then into the sea, can be akin to the growth momentum when tended to.

Water is also reflective. This is the time of year to consider what seeds of inspiration we want to grow. What we focus on grows. A consistent trickle of water produces strong roots that can endure the hardships of growth.

Consistent yoga practice strengthens and stretches the body, breath work cleanses the emotions, and meditation purifies the mind, providing the perfect environment for healthy growth.

I hope to see you on your mat soon.

From my heart to yours~

Namaste,

Maggie