By Kate Connell.

Each change of season is a time for teachers to reflect, embrace the newness of the weather patterns and shifts in our beings, and to cultivate a theme to pass on to our students that allows them to dive deeper into their practice. Below are four springtime themes broken up into objective and sequence inspiration, each focusing on a slightly different quality of the precious time between winter and summer.

Pose progression

Theme objective: Like a seedling growing to its full capacity, use this class as an opportunity for students to build their poses through intelligent sequencing that preps the body for difficult postures.

Poses to highlight: Choose “challenge” asanas that can build upon each other and account for many modifications like splits, wheel pose, leg behind the head and handstand. Should you choose wheel pose, pick preparation poses that open the quads {kneeling lunge into quad stretch with the help of a strap}, lengthen the musculature along the front and back lines yet build core awareness and strength {camel}, and open the shoulders through extension by cuing numerous passes through downward dog and kneeling dog.

Twist + Turn

Theme objective: Perhaps the most popular springtime theme is twisting as a means to release toxins, refresh the liver, and awaken the third chakra. Although twists are a regular area of asana emphasized in group led classes, they can also be cultivated in a way that allows you to balance out the body and leave feeling renewed.

Poses to highlight: Incorporate popular seated twists {half lord of the fishes} and standing twists {revolved triangle} and explore with fresh eyed variations {try half lord of the fishes as a transition into warrior 3}. Use props, such as straps, to create deeper binds and use the wall as an opportunity to work on alignment, especially in seated asanas.

Half + half

Theme objective: Craft a two part class that begins with dynamic movement designed to leave students embracing the energetic qualities of spring – vitality, creativity, and spontaneity. Seal the second half of the practice with a yin practice used to release tension and tightness in the physical and mental body.

Poses to highlight: Guide students through Sun Salutations, strong standing and balancing poses, and dynamic arm balances and then lead them to the mat for static poses with blocks, straps, and blankets. Highlight the hips in widespread seated twist for a spinal and outer hip release, guide them into a long hold at double pigeon with neck support, and an extended pass at a shoulder opener like shoulder roll with a block under the neck.

Nature inspired

Theme objective: Use heart opening poses to awaken your student’s connections to the natural world. Choose yoga postures that have rooting qualities or cultivate thoughts of nature in their very essence or name.

Poses to highlight: Concentrate on a hip opening sequence that provides students with the ground work to introduce modifications towards lotus pose or build strength and balance in the lower body with an opening in the shoulders to work through birds of paradise.

What is your favorite springtime theme? What poses came to mind for you for the above mentioned theme suggestions?

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Kate Connell is a New England native who shares her zest for life and her passion for backbending, laughter, and local food in the Midwest oasis of Iowa City, IA. It’s her sincere belief that the physical and mental practice of yoga illuminates the sensations of life’s simplest pleasures and allows us to enjoy more meaningful and complete lives.

Connect with Kate on Facebook, Twitter and on her website.