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Transition into Spring

The days are brighter as we shift from winter to spring. Our bodies are changing like the seasons.

Feeling that connection with nature, our body too wants to cleanse and be renewed thru the awareness and union of mind, body and spirit. Spring clean with Yoga pranayamas, ancient techniques that align, cleanse, and balance the body.

Surf the waves of change, with the help of essential oils, which have been used for thousands of years to invigorate and heal the body.

Combine yoga pranayamas and essential oils for a cleansing blissful experience to ease into spring.

SEE ALSO: If You’re Feeling Lost, Read This

Explore Surya Bheda (Sun Piercing) Breathing Techniques with Orange Oil or Lemon or Lemongrass Oil

1. Sit in a meditative seated pose or in a comfortable posture, keeping the back straight.
2. Put a drop or two of orange, lemon, or lemon grass into hands and rub them together.
3. Left hand on knee with thumb index finger (gyan mudra of knowledge).
4. Close your left nostril with your pinky and ring finger of the right hand.
5. Inhaling from your right nostril, count to five.
6. Close the right nostril with your right-hand thumb.
7. Exhale through the left nostril, count to five.

This completes one round of Surya bheda pranayama. You can gradually do up to 20 rounds.

Start at 5 rounds, count five in and five out to begin. You can increase count once you are used to it and double exhale amount (ex. 5 in-10 ex).

Benefits of Surya Bheda

• Increases body heat and energy levels
• Improves digestion
• Purifies blood
• Delays ageing

Counter Indications

Avoid doing this pranayama if you suffer from acidity, hypertension or heart problems.

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*** This pranayama is best to do in morning or early afternoon***

Kapalabhati Pranayama with Peppermint or Eucalyptus Oil

Kapal=Skull

Bhati=Cleansing

Pranayama= Breath Control

This breath consists of rapid, forced exhales followed by passive inhales. In Kundalini practice, Kapalabhati breath is sometimes done while holding poses.

1. Come to sit in a comfortable cross-legged position. Put 1-2 drops of Peppermint or Eucalyptus Essential oil in palms rub in hands breath in.

2. Take two or three deep inhales and exhales through the nose to prepare.

3. Inhale to a comfortable level, and then exhale sharply and forcefully through the nose, drawing the belly in as you exhale.

4. Let the inhale happen passively, and continue this cycle of forceful exhales and passive inhales at a fast pace, so that the belly is pumping continuously.

5. Do three rounds of thirty breaths each, coming back to deep inhales and exhales between each round.

6. Come back to normal breathing if you feel lightheaded at any time.

This breath technique is perfect for spring; it literally does exactly that – cleanses the skull. This breath technique also helps alleviate allergies especially with everything coming into bloom.

Benefits of Kapalabhati Pranayama

• Cleansing
• Invigorating
• Warming
• Prevents illness and allergies

Counter Indications:

Please refrain from this breathe technique if you have high blood pressure.

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