5 yoga moves to step into spring

It’s the season of rebirth, so renew your mind, body and soul with 5 yoga moves to step into spring. Stretch London’s Sophie Whippy shows you how.

Ardha Matsyendrasana: Half Lord of the Fishes

Spinal twists are great for detoxifying the body, releasing tension and ‘ringing out’ the internal organs to create energy and fire in the body. Half Lord of the Fishes stimulates the liver and kidneys, helping to flush out any toxins you may be hanging on to after winter, energises the spine and rids your body of fatigue.

Setu Bhandasana: Bridge Pose

A gentle heart opener, bridge pose is an accessible back bend for all levels of practitioner. It calms the brain and can help to alleviate stress and mild depression, symptoms many of us suffer from after the winter months. A great kickstarter into springtime, it rejuvenates tired legs too.

Salamba Shirsasana: Headstand

As with all inversions, headstand will stimulate and provide refreshed blood to the pituitary and hypothalamus glands – considered the master glands, they regulate the thyroid, pineal, and adrenals.

To hold a headstand for any length of time, the practitioner must engage the deep core muscles – the obliques, rectus abdominus and transverse abdominus – helping to tone and strengthen.

Sasangasana: Rabbit Pose

A wonderful stretch and lengthener for the spine while stretching the arms, shoulders and back too. Especially great for bodies that have been huddled over a computer or hunched up, rabbit pose opens out the back body and lengthens the cervical spine, ready to be open and revitalised for spring.

Adho Mukha Dandasana: Plank Pose

Plank pose is an all-over body workout. To hold the posture, you will need to engage the deep core muscles to support the lower back. It strengthens the arms, shoulders, wrists and spine while toning the core muscles. A strong pose that requires focus and awareness of the body.