Yoga Pathways

Spring is here—or at least it’s trying to be. The days are getting longer, daffodils are popping up like cheerful little flags of hope, and there’s a faint promise of warmth in the air (if you squint and ignore the occasional hailstorm). But this isn’t just any spring—it’s the Spring Equinox, that fleeting moment when day and night stand in perfect balance. It’s a cosmic pause, a brief equilibrium before the tilt of the Earth nudges us fully into longer days and shorter nights.

The Equinox is a wonderful reminder that balance isn’t just something nature does—it’s something we can cultivate within ourselves. And what better way to explore balance than through meditation? After all, meditation is essentially the art of sitting still while your mind does a great impression of bouncing around on a pogo stick.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Spring Equinox offers us an opportunity to reflect on balance—not as some unattainable ideal, but as a dynamic process that shifts and adjusts like the seasons themselves. It’s less about achieving perfection and more about noticing where we’re leaning too far one way or the other. Are we caught up in endless doing and striving (our inner sun energy)? Or are we retreating too much into rest and reflection (our inner moon energy)? Meditation can help us find that sweet spot between effort and ease, action and stillness.

Why Meditate During the Spring Equinox?

Meditation during the Equinox is a chance to align with nature’s rhythms. As the Earth finds its balance between light and dark, we can use this time to pause and recalibrate our own inner world. It’s not about sitting cross-legged while chanting “Om” (although I am a definite fan); it’s about creating space to notice what’s going on inside—without judgment, without expectation.

Spring is traditionally associated with renewal, growth, and fresh starts. But before we spring headfirst into planting metaphorical seeds for the future, meditation invites us to pause—to sit in stillness and ask: What do I need to let go of from winter? What do I want to nurture in spring? And most importantly: Can I sit here quietly for five minutes without mentally reorganising my kitchen cupboards?

A Simple Spring Equinox Meditation Practice

You don’t need anything special for this—just yourself, a quiet spot (or as quiet as it gets), and a few minutes of your time.

1. Find Your Seat: Sit comfortably—on a chair, on the floor, or even outside if it’s warm enough and dress appopriately. Let your spine lengthen naturally but don’t strain; this isn’t an audition for Swan Lake.
2. Settle Into Your Breath: Close your eyes or soften your gaze. Take a few deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth—like you’re sighing out winter itself. Then let your breath settle into its natural rhythm.
3. Reflect on Balance: As you breathe, consider the theme of balance in your life. Are there areas where you feel overextended or depleted? Are you leaning too much into one energy—action versus rest, giving versus receiving? Don’t try to fix anything; just notice what comes up.
4. Visualise Renewal: Imagine yourself as part of spring’s awakening—a tree budding new leaves or a flower unfurling towards sunlight. What qualities do you want to nurture this season? Patience? Joy? A sense of calm amidst chaos? Let these intentions float gently into your awareness without forcing them.
5. Return to Stillness: Whenever your mind wanders (and it will), gently bring it back to your breath or your intention for balance. There’s no need to wrestle with thoughts—just let them come and go like clouds passing through a spring sky.
6. Close With Gratitude: Before you finish, take a moment to thank yourself for showing up—for pausing amidst life’s busyness to honour this moment of balance within nature and yourself.

Embracing Imperfect Balance

If your meditation felt more like mental chaos than cosmic harmony, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Balance isn’t about being perfectly poised all the time; it’s about noticing when you’re wobbling and adjusting accordingly (much like trying not to fall over during Tree Pose). The Spring Equinox reminds us that balance is dynamic—it shifts with the seasons, with life circumstances, and even with our mood on any given day.

So as spring unfolds in all its unpredictable glory (rain one minute, sunshine the next), take a moment now and then to pause—to breathe—to reflect on what balance means for you right now. Whether it’s five minutes of stillness or simply noticing how good it feels to step outside after months of hibernation, these small moments can help us reconnect with ourselves—and with nature’s gentle reminder that balance is always within reach.