It might be snowing outside right now, but for the past two weeks, I’ve been in spring cleaning mode. I’ve donated NINE tall kitchen garbage bags full of clothes. (I know that sounds ridiculous, but apparently I’ve been reluctant to part with any of my clothes for the past 10 years and my husband still had some clothes from the 90s.) I’ve also been clearing out everything from chemical-laden cosmetics to empty boxes that I’d saved for some potential purpose that never presented itself.
I’m on a roll, and I can’t tell you how liberating it is get rid of things I no longer need and simply open up space for the sake of opening up space as opposed to opening up space to make room for something else. Space is addictive – the more you have, the more you want. And at the same time, it frees your mind. That’s one of the things I love about the studio. I’d love to go with a full-on KonMari tidying marathon, but my schedule (probably like yours) doesn’t really allow for that. So I have to do what I can when I can.
My spring cleaning doesn’t just apply to my home. I’m also smack in the middle of a 21-day digestive cleanse. Last week, I eliminated meat and dairy from my diet. (For what it’s worth, no one was more surprised than me that I’ve been able to go 9 days without cheese.) This week, I’m adding more alkalizing dark leafy greens, sprouts, and microgreens. I had an amazing massage with reflexology with Courtney at 39 North to move some lymph and support my liver and kidneys. Next week, I’ll add more fermented foods for a natural boost of probiotics. It’s a gentle cleanse because, once again, my schedule doesn’t exactly permit me to shut down for a few days.
Why a digestive cleanse? Think of it like switching out your winter wardrobe for your summer wardrobe. What we eat during winter should look a lot different than what we eat during summer. The fact that we can obtain just about any food we want at any time of year doesn’t mean we should be eating strawberries in November or an abundance of root vegetables in July. We should eat seasonally, like our ancestors did. And in between seasons, sometimes we need to open up some space and get rid of things we no longer need.
Our inner space isn’t limited to the physical body either. With a change in seasons comes a change in mindset, and it’s a great idea to slow down enough to recognize and acknowledge that shift. It’s a shift in mindset as well as in energy. Winter is dark, cold and introspective. Summer is bright, warm, and gregarious. If we don’t pause to honor that shift in energy, we risk ending up edgy, spacey, anxious, or restless.
So during this change in seasons, which in West Virginia waivers between capricious and volatile, take some time to work on your energy body. Get rid of what you no longer need and open up some space in your energy channels. Yoga is always a great way to do that, and this week, we have two special events geared specifically to that goal.
At 7 pm on Thursday, Sheray will introduce MSY to Kundalini yoga. Kundalini is the energy that coils at the base of the spine. It’s creative, spiritual energy the generally remains untapped. Kundalini yoga is practiced with the intent of tapping into that potential energy and moving it through the central energy channel (the spine) up and into the brain. The Kundalini practice includes meditation, mantra, and breath work, as well as a physical practice to leave your entire body buzzing with awareness.
On Friday at 5:45, Kindred Vibes is hosting a Crystal Reiki Soundbath Meditation, which is every bit as amazing as it sounds. The best part is, all you have to do is lay on the floor and immerse your senses with essential oils, energy work, and the beautiful sounds of crystal singing bowls, chimes, drums, and toning. Soundbaths are deeply relaxing experience that puts you into meditative state perfect for healing journeys. The vibrations of the crystal singing bowls affect the body at a cellular level to reduce stress, reconnect the body, mind, and spirit, as well as restore, balance, and align the chakras.
So this week, take some time to open up some space and recognize and acknowledge the change in seasons and how it affects you. And if you need a little guidance, you know where to find us.
See you at the studio!