awakening with spring in a beautiful place

It's becoming a tradition for me to celebrate the spring equinox at Kripalu. It's a good place for awakenings, with it's peaceful atmosphere, yoga that focuses on gentle and self-affirming movement, and its very nurturing retreat and renewal programme.

I was a very tired little tulip when I arrived. This winter was wearing hard on me, with too many demands on my time and too many conflicts.  

Time spent in the soothing meditation room, letting my thoughts dissolve slowly into nothingness, restored some of my sense of calm. I noticed that I can exhale more fully than before.  At Kripalu, we focus a lot on the breath. In yoga, we practice certain movements on the inhale or exhale. We breathe audibly (ujayi breathing) and also soft sighing exhalations. We become inspired, literally filled with breath.

My spring equinox ritual was wordless and my altar was simple, with a beautiful stone representing the Goddess. Words are not needed when our hearts are open.