The Transition and Transformation of Autumn
I like to consider the seasons when making choices about what to focus on during my yoga practice. I feel that Autumn is an excellent time to incorporate a different frame of mind and approach to your Sadhana (Regular yoga and meditation practice). Autumn is all about making significant changes in a short period. Encouraging us to catch our breath after a ripe and busy summer, Autumn gives us time to prepare ourselves before the cold, dark weather of Winter seeps in.
As the leaves fall, I feel that this season resonates for us as a time to relax a little bit and to slow our pace. Autumn is a time of letting go, which, in Chinese medicine, is a part of the quality of the element of Metal. Grieving is one specific emotion associated with this, but it does not necessarily have a negative connotation to it. Like the baring trees, we can learn to release what no longer serves us. We can observe what comes to light once our beautiful foliage has fallen away. Like a tree, we can submit to the changing season and learn to let things go. Or, we can choose to be like that last dried-up leaf clinging to a bare branch stubbornly refusing to release ourselves to the powers of the universe.
When practicing yoga or creating classes for my students, I consider the elements of yoga that can work with the dry, airy qualities of Autumn. In Ayurvedic medicine, Autumn correlates with the Vatta Dosha. Vatta Dosha can make people feel energized and creative. However, it can also leave us feeling a bit overwhelmed and disorganized at the same time. There is a variety of yoga poses that have a firm grounding element to them, tethering people and allow them to feel a little more rooted and focused. Consider Tadasana (Mountain Pose) and Vrksana (Tree Pose), where your feet grow roots. A mini-flow between Bitilasana Marjaryasana (Cat and Cow Poses) with your hands and knees grounded to the earth. Forward-bending poses are excellent for inviting introspection and reflection. I feel that autumn is a particularly auspicious time to pamper yourself with restorative yoga classes. Restorative yoga can help pin you down, regroup, and rejuvenate yourself before plunging into the busy holidays of fall and winter - which sometimes seems to come so quickly.
I hope that you can take the time over the next few weeks to recuperate and reconnect with yourself during this brief and beautiful season.