Spring Equinox: Embracing Renewal and Balance for Women's Wellness
As the winter slowly creeps away and the first buds of spring emerge, we arrive at the spring equinox—a powerful moment of perfect balance between day and night. This year, the spring equinox falls on 20th March, marking the astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Beyond its scientific significance, this celestial event carries profound meaning that resonates deeply with yoga philosophy, energy healing, and women's health—a connection I've explored extensively in my personal yoga practice.
The Spring Equinox: A Celebration of Balance
The word "equinox" comes from Latin, meaning "equal night." During this time, the sun crosses the celestial equator, creating equal hours of daylight and darkness across the globe. This perfect equilibrium mirrors one of yoga's fundamental principles: finding balance in all aspects of life.
In yogic philosophy, this balance is reflected in the concept of sthira sukham asanam—the balance between effort and ease, strength and flexibility, doing and being. As B.K.S. Iyengar beautifully states in Light on Yoga, "Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open." I find this particularly true during the equinox, when nature itself demonstrates this perfect harmony.
Connecting to Women's Health and Renewal
The spring equinox holds special significance for women's health, as it symbolises fertility, renewal, and the awakening of creative energy. Throughout history, women have celebrated this time as a period of rebirth and growth.
Dr. Claudia Welch, renowned Ayurvedic practitioner and author of Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life, notes that "women are naturally more in tune with cyclic rhythms" and that "honouring these cycles can profoundly impact hormonal health." I've observed this connection in my own practice, particularly how seasonal transitions affect women's energy levels and overall wellbeing.
In Ayurveda (yoga's sister science), spring is associated with detoxification and renewal. During winter, our bodies tend to accumulate excess kapha dosha (earth and water elements), which can manifest as heaviness, lethargy, and stagnation. The spring equinox invites us to shed what no longer serves us—both physically and emotionally.
For women, I've found this seasonal transition offers an opportunity to:
Cleanse and reset our systems
Reconnect with our cyclical nature
Nurture our creative potential
Cultivate self-renewal practices
Energy Healing and the Spring Equinox
From an energy healing perspective, the spring equinox represents a powerful portal for transformation. As the earth's energy shifts, we can harness this momentum for our own healing.
Energy medicine researcher Donna Eden explains that "Energy follows thought, and we move toward but not beyond what we can imagine." This principle becomes especially potent during transitional times like the equinox, when the veil between potential and manifestation is particularly thin.
In my personal practice, I've witnessed how the equinox is an ideal time to work with the solar plexus chakra (Manipura), which governs our personal power, confidence, and transformation. This energy centre is associated with the fire element—the perfect complement to spring's awakening energy.
When we align our practices with nature's rhythms, we can more easily access our innate healing abilities. The balanced energy of the equinox supports us in releasing winter's stagnation and welcoming spring's vitality.
Yoga Pose for Spring: Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)
Ardha Chandrasana embodies the essence of the spring equinox—balancing strength with openness, grounding with expansion. I recommend this pose to my female clients as it offers particular benefits for women's health:
Strengthens the abdomen, legs, and ankles
Opens the chest and shoulders
Improves digestion and circulation (especially beneficial for menstrual health)
Cultivates focus and balance
How to practise:
Begin in Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) with your right foot forward
Bend your right knee slightly and place your right hand about 30 centimetres in front of your right foot
Shift your weight onto your right foot and hand
Lift your left leg parallel to the floor, keeping it active and engaged
Open your chest and hips to the left, extending your left arm toward the ceiling
Find your gaze (drishti) either at your left hand or straight ahead
Breathe deeply for 3-5 breaths
Slowly release and repeat on the other side
During this pose, I encourage you to visualise yourself as a seedling breaking through the soil, reaching for the light while remaining firmly rooted.
As yoga teacher Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, author of Yoni Shakti and specialist in women's yoga, explains: "Poses that create both stability and spaciousness mirror the natural balance women seek in their bodies and lives." This balance of grounding and opening in Half Moon Pose perfectly embodies the equinox energy.
Spring Equinox Affirmation and Mantra
Affirmation: "Like the earth awakening in spring, I embrace renewal and balance in my body, mind, and spirit. I release what no longer serves me and welcome new growth with an open heart."
Mantra: "Om Ritam Namah" (I surrender to the rhythm and flow of the universe)
This powerful Sanskrit mantra helps us align with nature's cycles and honour the divine timing in our lives. The ancient text Rg Veda refers to Ritam as "the cosmic order that brings all things into harmony." Chanting this mantra during your practice can help you sync with spring's energy of renewal and growth.
Join My Well Woman Yoga Online Monthly Class
Continue your spring renewal journey with my upcoming Well Woman Yoga class on Sunday, 6th April from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM. This specialised practice will focus on:
Gentle detoxifying sequences
Poses that support hormonal balance
Breath practices for energy renewal
Meditation for embracing spring's transformative energy
This online class is designed for women of all ages and stages, offering modifications and variations to suit your unique needs. Together, we'll harness the balanced energy of spring to support our wellbeing and vitality.
As you move through this season of renewal, remember that the spring equinox invites us to find balance—not just for a day, but as an ongoing practice. By aligning with nature's rhythms and honouring our bodies' wisdom, we can cultivate sustainable wellness that flows with the seasons of our lives.
Rebecca Dobson
GetCalmer
For further reading on seasonal wellness practices for women, I recommend visiting the British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance Professionals UK for additional resources.
