⏰ We’ve turned the clocks back…

We’ll be pulling out the extra layers soon, the warmer blankets and thicker doonas.

…soon i’ll have my 10 layers on again – well maybe not as we’re not in the Masonic Hall anymore woohoo!! ???? But the change in the season is upon us so it’s time to…

• Allow yourself to ground down for the cooler months
• Calm your system – it’s time for re-plenishing the system
• Shedding / Letting Go of the Summer/high intensity energy
• Transition – into the change of weather
• Transformation – be supportive of your needs/energy
• Harvest – reap the time
• Abundance – enjoy your time
• Gratitude – ???? take some time through this time to be Great FULL
  • Cultivating “Gratitude” is one of the most transformative practices we can do
    • contentment
• Celebration of Achievements
• Decreasing Light – notice the body wanting more hibernation/sleep time

Asana focus for Autumn: STAY GROUNDED

This is a consideration for your home practice too.

“Grounding in Vata Season
When we are grounded, we are experiencing our mind, breath, and our body in the same place at the same time – we are embodied. This allows us to be relaxed and present in a way that nothing else does…

In this season we require even more attention to practices of grounding, insulating, and calming. For the odds are high that we may not only be blown away by autumn’s awe-striking beauty, but also by her “windy” qualities. Even the most stable of us may feel a little less rooted through out this transitional season.”
– Jillian Pransky, YogaDork, Fall(ing) into Balance

Considerations:

When in these poses, they are a great time and opportunity to really connect to the groundedness and steadiness they provide for us especially for this autumn season.

• Downward Facing Dog
  • Because of the heating quality and the grounding effect of the hands and feet connecting to the earth.
• Warrior II
  • As a pose of stillness, focus and strength so “you can refocus on your priorities with the gaze of the warrior”
• Vrikshasana: Tree Pose as the “ultimate symbol for the season,”
• Paschimottonasana: Seated Forward Bend to honour the inner wisdom and calm the nervous system,
• Savasana: “a chance to practice the cycle of birth, life, death and renewal over and over again.”

Karson McGinley: Let your Leaves Fall: 5 YOGA poses to release the old and prep for the new.

Visualisation:

• “The tree knows when it’s time to shed its leaves in preparation for winter. In the same way, as you meditate, prepare to shed away anything you no longer need.
  • Imagine the wisdom of the season whispering into your ears and telling you the things you need to let go.
  • You might need to shed:
    • old grievances,
    • clutter from your home,
    • a job you no longer love,
    • or a toxic relationship.
  • As… the falling leaves float to the ground… drying up with the knowledge that they’re no longer needed, imagine all of the things you no longer need drying up and falling away too. Just as the tree doesn’t mourn its fallen leaves, be joyful that after the dormant phase of winter, new life will crop up for you in the spring.”

Michelle Fondin: “Fall Leaves” meditation.