Alberta winters are no joke… and spring can be just as sobering. Despite the lengthening of days and the shrinking of snow, the season is often unpredictable, with random cold snaps and surprise squalls that make warmer weather feel just out of reach.

And yet, something still shifts. Even subtly, we might begin to feel a sense of possibility, lightness, and renewal. In many Indigenous teachings, the return of spring is marked not by a date on the calendar, but by what the land is revealing to us. In yoga philosophy, this same wisdom appears as awareness: learning to observe change rather than resist it.

How to Work With the Seasons

Indigenous teachings and yoga philosophy both remind us that humans are not separate from nature; we are part of it. Our body, mind, and spirit move through the seasons just like the Earth. And as we age, these seasonal shifts can feel more noticeable in our energy levels, sleep, and mood.

If you feel a sense of awakening within yourself that mirrors the emergence of spring, let it serve as a reminder to listen, embrace, and work gently with the changes unfolding within you.

And if you don’t feel that awakening yet, that’s okay too. Spring isn’t about forcing growth; it’s about creating the right conditions for it. Think of this season as preparing the ground. It’s an invitation to build small, supportive habits that positively shape how you move through the months ahead. Neither yoga nor the land asks us to rush. Growth unfolds when the conditions are right.

Declutter

In nature, nothing is held onto longer than needed. Animals shed their winter coats, trees release old leaves, and the land makes space for new life. Yoga philosophy reflects this through aparigraha, the practice of non-grasping and letting go. We can follow this same wisdom. Like animals clearing out their winter hibernation dens, we can discard and rebuild parts of ourselves and our spaces that no longer serve our highest good.

Declutter your mind: Gently notice negative patterns or unhelpful thoughts without judgment. Awareness itself is medicine. This is a form of svadhyaya, or self-study. From there, begin introducing affirmations or supportive beliefs that can encourage feelings of ease, patience, and self-trust.

Declutter your environment: Remove objects that no longer bring joy or serve a purpose. A cleaner, more open space can help reduce stress and improve focus. Once reorganized, consider setting an intention for the energy you’d like to invite in: peace, creativity, rest, or renewal.

Connect With Nature

Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth, and the return of life to the land after winter. It invites us to reconnect with the Earth, and with ourselves. It is also a time to remember our relationships with the land, with the elements, and with one another.

Take a short walk: Breathe in the fresh air and notice the subtle signs of life emerging: buds on trees, the sound of birds singing, and the Earth emerging from the melting snow and ice.

Pet your pets: If you have a furry friend, studies show that petting an animal can reduce stress and increase feelings of calm and connection. As natural teachers of presence, animals remind us to stay in the now.

Remember that you are a part of nature too: Practice ahimsa, or non-harm towards yourself through compassion. Gradually transition your diet from heavier foods that make us feel full and warm, to lighter, seasonal foods that nourish your body. And as your body continues to adjust to longer days, be sure to prioritize your sleep.

Move Your Body

Movement doesn’t need to be intense or structured to be meaningful, especially as we age. Yoga reminds us that the purpose of movement is not performance. Gentle, consistent movement helps maintain mobility, support joint health, improve balance, and boost circulation. Think of movement as a way of waking the body up kindly, safely, and with curiosity:

Gentle stretching or chair yoga can ease stiffness and improve flexibility.

Walking, even in short intervals, supports cardiovascular health and mental clarity.

Balance-focused movements, such as standing on one foot near a wall or practicing slow, controlled transitions, help build stability and reduce the risk of falls.

Strength-building movements using body weight or light resistance help maintain muscle and bone health over time.

Rather than striving for greatness or in comparison to others, move with curiosity and kindness, guided by santosha: the practice of contentment.

Just Breathe

Breath is one of the simplest and most powerful tools we have for regulation and renewal.

In yoga, breath is understood as pranayama, the conscious exchange of energy within the body. In many Indigenous teachings, breath is sacred; an ongoing relationship between ourselves and the world around us.

Try taking a few intentional breaths each day: deep inhales through the nose, and slow exhales through the mouth. Let your breath remind your nervous system that it’s safe to soften, expand, and begin again.

A Gentle Reset

Spring doesn’t ask us to transform overnight. It asks us to listen… to the land, to our breath, and to our own inner wisdom. The smallest habits may seem too simple to affect our seasonal health and well-being, but when practiced with intention, their impact can be profound.

Trust the seasons. Trust the teachings carried by the land and the body. And above all, trust your own timing. Growth will come exactly when it’s meant to.

About the Author

A proud Indigenous (Gwichyà Gwich’in) woman, Cynthia Walker is a trauma-informed yoga instructor and owner of The Space: Yoga, Wellness, Meditation in Fort Saskatchewan. She infuses her classes with an element of land-based spirituality to encourage a sense of self-reflection and connection to the world around us. Cynthia’s mandate will always remain clear and true: to continue to provide a space in which people can feel safe and supported in any stage of their physical, mental, and spiritual health and healing journeys while promoting values of education, diversity, inclusivity, and community.

The Great Spring Reset: Small Habit Shifts with Big Impacts