Spring Cleaning, Yoga Style

My partner, Kevin, went off to a yoga retreat four weeks ago and left me with two small children for three days while he cleansed, purged, posed and om-ed. I can't say I was too delighted about that (I know, not very yogic of me), since I was at home doing bottom-wiping, food-cajoling and generally refereeing the sometimes tempestuous relationship between my 4 year old daughter and 1 year old son. However, when daddy returned home on Sunday night, something miraculous had happened. He was beaming as he walked through the door. Not just the usual 'pleased to see you' smile. But a beatific, glowing, beaming light that filled the whole house. Wow, I thought, so THAT'S what you look like when you get 3 days off the parenting job.

But there was more to come. In the following days I found that I wasn't being ground down by the usual endless, thankless round of household chores. Quietly and unseen, like the tooth-fairy, Kevin was lifting the burden of domestic drudgery by performing little tasks that make a big difference. When I went into the kitchen to make breakfast, the dishwasher was already empty. Without warning, Ruby was dressed and ready for preschool without the usual United Nations-style negotiations ("not the purple skirt mummy, the green one etc.") I didn't seem to be changing quite so many nappies as usual.

All this was done with a smile and the lightness of being that comes from the clarity, perspective and balance of a yoga 'spring clean'. Ayurveda, yoga’s sister-science, teaches us to live in accordance with the seasons and has plenty of tips for Spring-cleaning. Kevin had been observing many of these at his retreat:

1. EAT LIGHTLY - Eat light, easy-to-digest foods in spring and wait at least
3-4 hours between meals. Try eating less foods that increase kapha (the dominant energy in Spring that can make us feel sluggish) —dairy products, iced, cold and raw food or drinks, and fried or oily food.

2. GET YOUR BODY MOVING – Now is the time to do some vigorous yoga, focusing on the standing poses, flowing movements and twists.

3. PRACTISE DEEP BREATHING – Use ujjayi breathing as you do your Spring Practise. This deep, rhythmical ‘throat-breathing’ will help blow away the cobwebs, strengthening your breath and balancing your mind.

4. SAVOUR THE SEASON – Go out and connect with nature. At this time of year the earth is literally bursting with renewal and transformation. Tune in to the season, the earth and your inner rhythms by spending time outdoors and silently observing the regrowth and renewal all around you.

5. TRY YOGIC CLEANSING TECHNIQUES - Practises like Neti (nasal wash) and Shankar Prakshalana (colon cleanse) are excellent ways to clean out the body, thereby improving immune functioning, digestion, concentration and mood. Nasal washes can be purchased over the counter in pharmacies and a quick Google will provide instructions. However, more complicated yoga cleansing practices such as the colon cleanse should only be done under the supervision of an experienced yoga teacher.

So, next time Kevin declares he's off on a yoga retreat and leaves me holding the babies, I will be absolutely delighted. Far more that simple 'time out', a cleansing retreat offers healing and renewal for the body and mind and helps a dedicated yogi be a dedicated daddy!

www.adoreyoga.com