Spring has begun. Winter’s shadow moves on. Even so, a lingering bit of heaviness may remain, like the spring jacket you wear or the tiredness you feel in the air. It’s ok to acknowledge the darkness of winter and see it as the fertilizer making our souls more fertile for the new beginnings of spring. The transition of March serves as a reminder that we can only make new beginnings to the extent we appreciate the endings in our lives.

To make a big change and begin again isn't always popular. As you change yourself, your energy towards those around you changes. If they're resistant to seeing you grow, they may not always be supportive. This doesn't mean we need to change course or let others dictate our life. Often, we can learn from peers and mentors and incorporate wise counsel into the decisions we make for our lives.

Look no further than my own life for an example. I don’t teach yoga to be popular. I simply transitioned into teaching because doing so brought me into alignment with living a life I loved. When I made this new beginning one spring many years ago, it went against the grain of popular opinion (why leave a highly paying, glamorous corporate job with international travel for less money, less time, more work?) But I followed the light and made my own choice. Our lives belong to us and so do our decisions. Eventually, my friends and family appreciated my new beginning and my new life.

What are you doing to prepare for spring?

This week, make time to stop and make peace with winter, acknowledge that what’s done is done, and set your intentions for what you want to create in your life this spring season.

1. Challenge yourself to make a fresh start at home or work.

2. Go somewhere new to see your life from a different perspective.

3. Practice Detox Flow Yoga, which stimulates and refreshes your liver and kidneys. Include poses like forward bending, back bending and twisting. This will help you cleanse your body by nourishing the organs that process waste.

4. Practice a few rounds of conscious breathing with special focus on your exhalation. This will help you release what's weighing you down and will expel carbon dioxide, cleansing your system.

5. Make time for five minutes of meditation. Like the quiet before a seed springs from the earth, take time to prepare your mind with stillness so it too feels refreshed and nourished to welcome new possibilities!

Finally, surround yourself with like-minded people who inspire you to manifest your best life. They help us see the wealth of new beginnings all around us! Love yourself, love your day, love your life!

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