Spring feels like it is springing in SF! WiIth the official equinox a week away, there’s a lot to look forward to as well as  reflect on.

It has been less than a week since I returned from attending a yoga retreat in Nicaragua and I am still integrating it and landing. What a gift it was to be with twenty nine other teachers, two fearless leaders I adore (Giana and Bradshaw of C.A.Y.A yoga school), and staying at the beautiful Costa Dulce Eco Lodge, surrounded by jungle and cliffside to the ocean. The past few years I have been focused primarily on sound healing training and growing my business on that end, so it was an amazing experience to do more of an official yoga training, and dive back into the practice of where my journey into wellness and mindfulness began. And receiving wasn’t too bad either! While I love hosting retreats, it was a nice break and chance to experience one on the other side again. The last and only retreats I ever attended were in 2022 and since then I have been joyously leading them.

If you know me, you also know the icing on the cake was going whale watching, surfing, seeing (and hearing) all the howler monkeys and all the birds, and probably the biggest non yoga highlight, was getting to see the release of forty three olive ridley sea turtles. There is a conservation project there called Vital Actions that is not only doing incredible work with turtles, but rescues birds and other wildlife for rehabilitation from injury and/or trafficking, reforests areas (90,000 trees and counting), and boasts a community garden of medicinal plants and herbs. It was truly a magical week of connection with new friends that feel like family, and a deep  love of a place and people,  I will forever cherish.

3/15 Earth Elemental Series Sound Bath at The Castro Room 1:30-3pm🏔

3/18 Alchemy Springs Stretch + Sound Bath w/cello Accompaniment 6-7pm with option to add on Sauna Garden Hang 7-9pm 🌿

3/21 Spring Renewal: Restorative Yoga and Sound Healing at Haum Studios Haight 1-4pm 🌸

At the spring equinox, day and night meet in balance. It’s a quiet reminder that our lives move in cycles of light and rest. In practice, we pause here, between inhale and exhale, to notice what is ready to awaken.

Like the body slowly opening in yoga, the earth stretches toward the light again. Seeds beneath the soil begin their unseen work. In sound and stillness, we listen for that same subtle stirring within ourselves.

As the days grow brighter, we gently welcome the returning light and the fresh energy it brings. There is no rush in this unfolding, just a steady remembering of warmth, movement, and possibility. Like a flower opening in a time-lapse (look up a video, it is fascinating), there is a subtle rhythm to the bloom, an expanding and a small contraction, again and again. In the same way, we can soften into the natural rhythm of change and embrace what is quietly beginning to rise.

Here are some simple, common spring equinox rituals that many people incorporate. They tend to center on balance, renewal, and welcoming light, and most can be done individually or woven into a yoga/sound healing setting.

Place items that represent light and dark or winter and spring, the idea is simply to acknowledge the balance of day and night on the equinox. It’s also fun to create your own! Some people like to lean into cooking or bigger rituals, but they can be short and sweet, yet still profound

-a candle, create a mantra or small prayer when you light it, or use “may what is ready to grow receive the light it needs.”
-flowers or fresh greens
-a stone or bowl of water

🗣Set intentions  What kind of intention do you want to lean into this season? Writing these down can help as well as visualizations. I always love to go with gardens or temperate forests slowly coming back to life.

-What energy do I want to welcome?
-What am I ready to nurture?

💖Added bonus would be to add a few heart opening poses or gentle stretches and feel the warmth from the inside out.

🔔 Add sound- can be as simple as ringing a bell, singinga tune, or playing whatever instrument (makeshift ones count) with intention.

🌞 Sunrise or sunset pause - it’s all about balance -watching sunrise or sunset. While I am often more of  a sunset girlie, this time of year is all about the sunrises, especially since they aren’t too early just yet. 😉
-taking a few minutes of quiet breathing or meditation. Even a short moment outside can feel meaningful. If you can’t get outside for a walk or sit, is there a window you can sit by or even open a door and just take a few deep breaths while gazing outside.

🌱 Plant something Planting seeds is one of the oldest equinox traditions. Even something small, herbs, flowers, or a houseplant, they symbolizes new beginnings and patience.

🧹 Light spring clearing A gentle ritual of opening windows, tidying a small space, or burning incense can represent clearing the old season and welcoming the new.

Wishing you all a heartfelt and joyous season. In these chaotic times community and connection are more important than ever. Keep taking care of yourself so we can keep taking care of each other and be good hosts and stewards of our planet. Even with this renewed energy of the season, make sure to give yourself time to slow down, rest, and receive.

With warmth and light,

Caitlin Ryan