Spring: A Season of Transformation

Spring is nature’s reminder that everything is in motion:changing, becoming, unfolding. Even when we resist change, the world moves forward. Buds open. Light returns. Energy rises.

Here in the rolling hills of Monferrato, I feel this shift deeply. Birds return, the air softens, and the land begins to breathe again. This seasonal rising energy mirrors what happens inside us: after the heaviness of winter, our bodies crave renewal, clarity, and release.

In our modern world, where screens, deadlines, and stimulation shape our days, we can easily miss this natural transition. But spring isn’t only happening around us; it is also happening within us. This is the perfect moment to support the liver, awaken digestion, lighten the mind, and gently reset the nervous system.

Why Spring Matters for the Body

In traditional systems like Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, spring is associated with the liver and gallbladder, organs linked to cleansing, decision-making, and clarity. From a modern perspective, the transition from winter to spring is also a time when:

• the liver processes the after-effects of heavier winter foods,
• the nervous system often carries accumulated stress from shorter, darker days,
• increased light and movement naturally stimulate metabolism and mood.

Spring invites us to release stagnation, physically, emotionally, and hormonally. Just as we clean our homes, we can also “spring-clean” the body through rest, breath, and mindful practice. This is where restorative yoga becomes a powerful ally.

Rest, Detox & the Nervous System

To navigate transformation with steadiness, we must soothe the nervous system. Without this foundation, the rising energy of spring can manifest as restlessness, anxiety, irritability, or internal friction.

Deep rest helps restore balance by:

• relaxing the diaphragm and softening the breath,
• improving circulation to the digestive organs, including the liver,
• supporting lymphatic and interstitial fluid movement,
• reducing perceived stress and sympathetic overdrive,
• creating space for emotional clarity and mental reset.

Many traditions include some form of fasting or simplification during spring, such as Lent. Whether or not you fast, reducing sensory overload and offering your system regular restorative pauses can be deeply therapeutic.

A Restorative Pose for Spring: Parsva Setu Bandhasana

Parsva Setu Bandhasana is a supported variation of bridge pose with gentle lateral opening. It is especially suited to springtime, as it:

• encourages circulation around the liver, stomach, and pancreas,
• supports the upper abdomen and diaphragm,
• invites the senses to turn inward (Pratyahara),
• helps the nervous system shift into a parasympathetic state of rest.

Total time in the posture: around 20 minutes.

Contraindications & Props

Contraindications

• Pregnancy
• Menstruation
• Sinusitis or cold
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
• Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
• Chronic neck pain or injuries
• Retinal detachment
• Glaucoma

Props Needed

• A wall
• Yoga mat
• Bolster
• 2 blocks
• Strap
• 3 blankets
• Eye pillow

Step-by-Step Set-Up

1. Prepare your support for your trunk

• Place your yoga mat vertically against the wall.
• Lay two neatly folded rectangular blankets horizontally at the top of your mat. These will gently elevate the upper body and open the chest.
• Position a bolster lengthwise directly below the blankets, with its top edge touching the lower edge of the blankets.
• Place two yoga blocks at the base of the bolster, pressed against the wall, to support your heels.

2. Stabilise the legs

• Before lying down, place a yoga strap under the bolster and wrap it around your upper thighs.
• Fasten it firmly but comfortably. This stabilises the legs and creates a sense of containment and grounding.

3. Recline onto support

• Gently lie back onto the bolster and blankets, so that the back of your head rests on the mat.
• Allow your shoulders to drop softly off the blankets without touching the floor. This prevents excessive pressure on C7 (the base of the neck) and supports easier breathing.
• Make sure your diaphragm is centred on the blankets to enhance chest expansion and comfort.

4. Ground the legs

• Extend your legs toward the wall and rotate your shins slightly inward so that your big toes touch.
• Keep your heels supported by the blocks and your feet in clear contact with the wall.

5. Secure the pelvis

• Adjust the strap so that it lies across the greater trochanters (the bony points at the top of the thighs near the hips).
• This helps your pelvis relax fully. For additional grounding, you may place a sandbag over the strap.

6. Gentle lateral activation (30 seconds each side)

• Press your right foot firmly into the wall to engage the leg.
• Gently shift your shoulders slightly to the left, initiating a soft lateral opening through the right side of your body.
• Extend your right arm above your ear, reaching along the floor, creating a spacious yet supported stretch along the right waist and ribs.
• Let your left arm rest passively out to the side.
• Keep your head neutral; avoid turning it.
• Stay for about 30 seconds, breathing quietly. Then return to centre and pause to observe sensations along the abdomen and liver area.
• Repeat the movement on the left side for 30 seconds, then return to centre again.

7. Deep Rest in Supported Bridge (15 minutes)

• Cover yourself with a blanket for warmth.
• Place an eye pillow over your eyes to encourage sensory withdrawal (Pratyahara).
• Allow yourself to fully relax in the supported bridge position for around 15 minutes.
• Let your breath naturally deepen as the nervous system settles into stillness.

Why This Pose Supports Spring Energy

This practice offers a gentle yet powerful way to align with the rhythms of spring. It can help you:

• support circulation around the liver and upper abdomen,
• release winter stagnation in the front body and diaphragm,
• regulate the nervous system and reduce perceived stress,
• encourage subtle “spring cleaning” from the inside out,
• cultivate clarity, ease, and a sense of renewal.

A Final Reflection

Spring reminds us that transformation doesn’t have to be forced. It can be supported gently, intelligently, respectfully.

Through restorative yoga, we invite the body into a state where renewal becomes possible. Not by pushing, but by softening. Not by effort, but by allowing.

FAQ: Spring, Liver & Restorative Yoga

1. How often can I practise this restorative pose in spring?

You can safely practise this pose 1–3 times per week, especially during the early weeks of spring. If you have a sensitive digestive system or feel depleted, start with 10–15 minutes and increase gradually as your body adapts.

2. Is this pose suitable for beginners?

Yes, as long as you respect the contraindications and use the props as described. This pose is designed to be fully supported. If you are new to restorative yoga, you may wish to start with a shorter hold (10 minutes) and build up over time.

3. Can this replace medical detox or liver treatment?

No. Restorative yoga is not a medical treatment or a substitute for professional care. It can, however, complement your overall well-being by reducing stress, supporting healthy breathing, and improving relaxation, factors known to influence digestive and hormonal health.

4. What if I feel emotional during or after this pose?

It is common for supported backbends to bring up emotions. If this happens, allow your breath to stay soft and steady, and give yourself time to transition gently afterward.

5. Can I practise this pose at other times of the year?

Absolutely. While it is especially supportive in spring, this pose can be helpful whenever you feel heavy in the front body, mentally overloaded, or in need of a safe, contained backbend that supports the liver and nervous system.

Want to Take Your Practice or Teaching Further?

If you’d like to explore restorative yoga in more depth and learn how to sequence and teach fully supported poses safely, you can join my online training.

Restorative Yoga: The Foundations – an evidence-informed training on the art and science of deep rest.

Click here to learn more and enroll