There is a quiet intelligence in the way nature transitions. Spring does not arrive with force; it unfolds. The light stretches a little longer each evening. The air softens. Beneath the surface, sap begins to rise. What looked dormant only weeks ago reveals itself as quietly preparing.
Naturopathic traditions have long taught that we should eat according to the season, choosing foods that grow when we need them most. In spring, greens emerge: lighter, fresher, often slightly bitter. They support circulation and cleansing after the density of winter. The body, like the earth, shifts its needs. It would be unwise to nourish it in March the same way we did in January.
Our spiritual practice deserves the same attentiveness.
Winter practice often draws us inward. It favors reflection, restoration, and slower rhythms. The nervous system benefits from steadiness and containment. But as spring approaches, energy begins to move more quickly. The body may feel restless or newly inspired. There is a subtle urge toward expansion.
The mistake many of us make is trying to adjust this shift mentally, adding more intensity because “it’s spring” or clinging to rigid routines established earlier in the year. But if we are aware of our surroundings and listen closely, seasonal adjustment can happen naturally.
Spring practice calls us to respond wisely. You may notice that your body wants more circulation, deeper breathing, spinal movement, and longer walks outdoors. You may feel called to simplify heavy foods, increase hydration, or rise with the morning light. Emotionally, old stagnation may surface. Irritability or bursts of creativity can appear with equal force. These are signs of thawing.
To adjust your practice seasonally, begin with observation rather than ambition:
- How is your energy throughout the day?
- Has your sleep pattern shifted with the light?
- Does your body crave movement or stillness?
- Are you feeling clearer or more emotionally stirred?
The body registers seasonal change before the mind names it. When we override that wisdom with habit or comparison, practice becomes mechanical. When we respond to it, practice becomes embodied.
Spring comes as an invitation to recalibrate. It asks us to synchronize rather than control. Some days may call for a vigorous kriya or breathwork to circulate prana. Other days may require grounding, steady breath, and time outdoors to discharge excess energy.
When we honor seasonal shifts in our practice, just as we do in our diet, we recognize ourselves as part of a larger rhythm. Awareness moves from the head to the tissues, the breath, and the pulse. Decisions become less conceptual and more intuitive. We stop asking, “What should I be doing?” and begin asking, “What is life asking of me now?” And from that listening, renewal happens naturally. We bloom not through effort alone, but through alignment. Naturally. Calmly. From inside out.
To inspire you in your practice, we are giving 20% off on Hari Jot’s manuals. You may feel called to experiment with kriyas from Self-Experience, Self-Knowledge or The Owner’s Manual for the Human Body. Click here to check out other books on special.
KRI is a non-profit organization that holds the teachings of Yogi Bhajan and provides accessible and relevant resources to teachers and students of Kundalini Yoga.
More Related Blogs