Moving with the seasons.
In Autumn’s light.
The days are not only getting shorter, but the character of the light is different. This month’s blog post is about how to move into Autumn, physically, emotionally and mentally. As you step onto the mat consider an intention. What are you calling in for Autumn?
There are wonderful benefits and qualities that our practice can bring about during this time change, qualities that we want to foster throughout the season Autumn. Golden light radiates, the leaves drop, the longing for walks in the forest to witness the dance of the leaves in a colourful world of trees and bushes.
What do we want to explore on the mat and in our body? How can we tap into our introspective space?
The Autumn equinox is approaching fast and I have been rolling out the mat and journal to reflect on the Summer months. I have planned for upcoming workshops, thinking of content creation, recreating and rewriting lesson plans. We will explore many facets of the universal spectrum and the powerful shift from the hot days into much cooler days.
My suggestions for your daily practice:
Gentle Pilates and Deep Relaxation and Meditation.
Yoga Practice: Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)
If you want to get a taste of this incredible, diverse pose to stimulate your spinal nerves and also improve digestion, come along to the FAMO.
Fascia Movement Class online Tuesday 7pm- 8pm
You will love it! I will teach this particular “Autumn - rising yin - nurturing class till 8th of April and then something different will be on offer for upcoming Easter break and the month of May.
Mental space:
improve sleep with evening classes! Clear your head after work. Move mindfully in the evening.
Why do I encourage you to move with the seasons? It is pretty simple. Think about people in the Northern hemisphere, I was born there too. The rituals change from Summer to Autumn and into Winter. We prepare our bodies for the colder months, ahead in many ways, through festivals celebrating the last pick of the grapes, to wine festivals as we move into the darker months, when we eat denser, richer food. We bunker in for the longer evenings inside.
Now is a good time to change the exercise routine at home. Invite some poses into your practice that will benefit the lungs. Add some Tai Chi or Qi Gong moves to your practice. We want to improve breathing, looking for the circulation around the neck and shoulders down to the spine. Stimulate the kidneys and massage the inner organs. Deep breath work, relaxation practices.
This brings profound emotional balance and calm into life.
Move slowly and gracefully, explore the slower pace on the mat, and see if you can match it to the change in your environment. From hot Summer days with active and fast movements to cooler days when we invite slower movement and settling into an introspective time.
Grab that book and a hot nurturing drink, kick back and adjust to the slower pace that awaits us.
Autumn
Vegetables in season:
Beans (butter and snake ), beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrot, leek, celery, daikon, swede, squash, sweet potato , turnip, zucchini, pumpkin
Fruits in season:
Apples (Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Red Delicious), cumquat, kiwifruit, nashi, passionfruit, pears, persimmon, plum, quince, rockmelon, tamarillo
Going outside in nature is an inexpensive resource that can support adult mental health and well- being.
Can you guess? Autumn is my favourite season!
Photo taken: Sandringham
May 2015