January/March 2015

Spring Cleaning From the Inside Out
Written by Phoebe Jenkins
You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your
arms too full to embrace the present. -Jan Glidewell -
Spring is here! It’s time to get rid of what we no longer need and
make way for the new. Below are five simple poses to help you
cleanse your body from the inside out and become more vibrant
than ever.
People like “stuff ”. We tend to hold onto
it year after year. We save and stock up
on things that we do not know what to
do with anymore. Maybe we keep things
because they hold precious memories
of days gone by, they remind us of our
loved ones or we just think they might
be useful someday. Sound familiar? To
part with these precious possessions
seems out of the question. However,
there is a saying that goes, “You have to
get rid of the old to make way for the
new.” If you are feeling stuck or stagnant
in your life, try spring-cleaning from the
inside out. Say goodbye to your past and
welcome the new energy of your happy, healthy future.
any number of ways”.
You can clutch the past so
tightly to your chest that
it leaves your arms too full
to embrace the present.
-Jan Glidewell
Have you ever worked out or experienced a physical activity that
brought up an emotion or memory for you? Think of all these
emotions literally lodged in the body. Just like old shirts in your
closet that no longer fit, it’s important to spring clean these out.
Exercising is an effective way to spring clean your body.
As well as releasing endorphins in the
brain, physical activity helps to relax
insides some shine and polish as well.
the muscles and relieve tension. It can
also bring improved immune function
and better digestion. Since the body
and mind are so closely linked, when
your body feels way better, your mind
will too. Throwing away old stressors,
stored emotions, and negative thoughts
that no longer serve you will allow
you to open your heart, make way for
the new, and feel better than ever. We
spend so much time perfecting our
outside, our clothes, hair, car, home,
that now is the time to start giving our
I like to remind people that we actually have two “Houses” that
need spring-cleaned: our physical homes and our physical bodies.
Just as we accumulate “Stuff ” in the form of outgrown clothes,
magazines, rusty bicycles, tools and random keepsakes, so do our
bodies accumulate old food residues, emotions and toxins that
need to be cleaned out. Just like we hold onto material possessions,
we can also hold onto angers, past relationships, stress, anxieties
and regrets.
It is amazing to think of our organs, tissues and cells as a storage
places for stress, emotions and old anxieties. Our body, however,
is our subconscious mind and can be changed by the emotions we
experience. Ever notice how your body feels when you’re under
stress? Your muscles may be tense, especially in your face, neck,
and shoulders, leaving you with back or neck pain, or painful
headaches long after the original stressor has ended. You may feel
a tightness in your chest, a pounding pulse, or muscle cramps.
You may also experience problems such as insomnia, heartburn,
stomachache, diarrhea, or frequent urination. The worry and
discomfort of all these physical symptoms can lead to even more
stress, creating a vicious cycle between your mind and body. Dr.
Candace Pert, a Neuropharmacologist who worked at the NIH
and Georgetown University Medical Center explains, “A feeling
sparked in our mind or body, will translate as a peptide being
released somewhere. Organs, tissues, skin, muscle and endocrine
glands all have peptide receptors on them and can store emotional
information. This means the emotional memory is stored in many
places in the body, not just in the brain. We can then access the
emotional memory anywhere in the peptide/receptor network, in
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Here are five simple poses that will help you spring clean from
the inside out.
Pose #1. Simple Seated Twist
Twisting positions relate to managing and untangling the knots
and twists of life. They help us to deal with the problems and
obstacles we all face. Twisting gives us the confidence and
energy to learn to deal with these problems. As you do this pose,
imagine yourself wringing out your spine like a dirty dish rag,
getting rid of the old dirty water and preparing to cleanse it with
clean, fresh hydration. Just like twisting a dishrag, winding your
body around its axis compresses the organs, restricting blood
flow and allow fresh oxygenated blood to flow back in when the
twist is released. Twists are one of the most cleansing poses and
often leave you feeling refreshed and clear-headed. Breathe deep
in this pose!
Pose #2. Easy Backbend with Heart Opening:
While you are cleaning out your body and home, do no t forget
to spring-clean your heart. A clean, open heart will allow you to
receive all the good that awaits you each and every day. If your
heart and mind are cluttered, there is no room for life’s gifts and
surprises to enter. To cleanse and open your heart, try this pose.
Backward bending poses are connected with the attitude of
embracing life while facing life and all its challenges. This pose,
also known as the Bridge Pose, will stretch your chest, neck, and
spine, calm the brain, help alleviate stress and mild depression.
It also stimulates the abdominal organs, lungs, and thyroid,