The days are getting longer, the sun is giving us plenty of light and warmth and nature is awakening from its winter slumber - spring is here, and with it our spirits are also blossoming. For many, spring is a time of change and renewal, and not just in terms of the annual spring clean in the home - what is good for you now is a cleansing of body, mind and soul. One tool that can help you find your inner balance is yoga. Yoga not only frees you from your old burdens, it also helps you to recharge your batteries and celebrate spring in harmony with nature. We reveal the positive effects yoga can have on your body, mind and soul and why you should practise yoga regularly, especially in spring.
Yoga in spring: recharge your batteries and draw new energy
What are the benefits of yoga?
If you haven't looked into it yet, you've probably wondered what yoga is actually supposed to do. Many people think that it is just about stretching and not really about active physical exercise. But this assumption is wrong! Yoga is a meditation technique that is combined with physical exercises. So you can also work up a good sweat and push yourself to your physical limits. But one thing in particular goes hand in hand with regular yoga practice: you become calmer, can deal with stress more calmly and feel fitter. This is because yoga strengthens your cardiovascular system, your musculoskeletal system and your immune system. The strength exercises also build up your muscles and the breathing exercises help you to detoxify your body. Depending on the exercise, yoga can also be an effective cardio workout. Even if you can achieve great physical effects with the exercises, yoga is not just a workout. Rather, it is about developing more mindfulness towards yourself and others and harmonising your body and mind.
Yoga helps combat spring fatigue
While most people feel more energised and fitter again in spring, many people complain of spring fatigue, which manifests itself in the form of listlessness, headaches and tiredness. The reason for spring fatigue is that the hormonal balance changes due to the change of season and the blood vessels dilate again due to the warmer outside temperatures. However, what helps against spring fatigue is not more sleep, as you might expect, but more exercise. We will now tell you which yoga exercises are particularly suitable for this!
The sun salutation
Flowing sequences of movements such as the sun salutation give you new vigour and help you to overcome fatigue. The sun salutation is a sequence of movements that strengthens the centre of the body and is therefore an ideal exercise to start with. Basically, the sun salutation is performed as follows:
- Start in a standing position with both legs hip-width apart on the floor. Your shoulders are relaxed and you are looking forwards.
- Take a deep breath and raise your hands upwards as you do so. Bring your palms together above your head.
- Now exhale forcefully and fold your upper body forwards (forward bend), your hands reach towards the floor.
- Now take another deep breath and rest your palms on the mat as you lunge backwards. Then bring the second leg up.
- As you exhale, lower your upper body in a controlled manner and keep your elbows close to your torso.
- During the next breath, pull your chest slightly upwards and support yourself on your palms (small cobra).
- As you exhale, lean upwards again and bring one leg forwards so that your foot is between your palms. Then put your foot back again.
- Breathe in and lift your pelvis so that your body forms an inverted V (downward-facing dog).
- As you exhale, bring your feet to your hands and return to the forward bend.
- Now roll up vertebra by vertebra and bring your hands back together above your head.
- Breathe out forcefully one last time and lower your palms in front of your chest.
The bridge
Back bends such as the bridge also help you to activate your body by opening up your chest. For the bridge, start lying on your back. Place your feet hip-width apart, pull your shoulder blades together and straighten your pelvis. Hold the position for at least one minute.
The cobra
The cobra is a great stretching exercise that is ideal for beginners. This is because you can vary between the small and large cobra and customise the exercise. The small cobra is part of the sun salutation, while in the large cobra you also lift your pelvis so that you are fully supported by your arms. Remain in this position and breathe in and out in a controlled manner.
As you can see, you can do something good for your body and mind and counteract spring tiredness with just a few exercises and a small amount of time. We hope you enjoy trying out these beginner-friendly yoga exercises to combat spring fatigue. They will do you good - we promise.