Finding Seasonal Alignment: Fall practices
As Autumn slowly approaches, the world begins to quiet down. Leaves fall from the trees and the sun sets earlier as the vibrant energy of summer dissipates. In traditional Chinese medicine, autumn is the time for letting go, as we switch from the Yang energy of summer to the Yin energy of winter.
This season is often associated with the element of metal, for its properties of purification, discernment and structure. Our bodies share in this embodiment of refinement, through processes of the lungs and large intestine. Both organs work together in harmony, receiving and eliminating, in order to balance the metal element within us. As autumn arrives, it’s essential to engage your lungs, as this season naturally encourages contraction. Lungs are the windows of our house - our vision and architect - in defining boundaries, and absorbing and cycling information. Without the right tools to clear and cleanse your lungs, stagnation can occur, leading to buildup in your body.
Autumn is another transitional point of the year in which your body processes and filters previous cycles, clearing space to build immunity for the coming winter. If the lungs are not strong enough or the digestive system is weak, we can find it difficult to process emotions or we can become susceptible to illness. Colds, mucus, and phlegm are all indicators of your body eliminating what it needs to in order to cleanse itself. But this process does not take place as seamlessly when it comes to stagnant emotions. Therefore, it is important to support the lungs and respiratory system as the temperature drops, both somatically and literally. The emotions associated with the lungs are sadness and grief, and grief depletes Qi.
Try this contemplative breathwork practice to support the release of any stagnation, sadness or emotions that feel stuck. Our lungs feed our kidneys, so when we do pranayama or breathwork, we support clearing out our lungs, which in turn supports our entire body. Pranayama also supports keeping our nervous system feeling vibrant, harmonious and joyful. When we dislodge and remove grief, we can find more inner peace and radiance.
Lungs in their virtue hold courage, giving you the proper competency and capability to go out and handle the world without over exhausting yourself. This is the season to clear and re-define how you communicate and set boundaries, as well as refining what your values are. These qualities can prompt you to rediscover a greater sense of identity and integrity if that’s something you’re lacking.
The practices below are ideas of how to cultivate greater alignment with yourself and your environment this autumn. Each one is a small invitation to slow down, receive, release, and harmonize with the changing of the seasons.
CLEAN out your house, closet, or any space that needs reorganizing. Sort through the accumulated clutter to find and clear out possessions that can be repurposed or donated. "I need room to breathe." I'm always cycling things out of my space. Material things are energy, energy needs to circulate.
CRY without judgment. In safe spaces. I know that I'm releasing suppressed grief from my body. I feel that I am often crying for those who are too bound to survival mode to let their tears flow. Crying can be a form of service to the collective.
OPEN lungs through this seated side stretch. With good alignment this pose will flush our lungs. Your body is intricately designed, with various fits and folds that, when utilized properly in your postures, can transform your experience down to a cellular level. By using the correct angles in your poses, you can access areas of your body you may not have reached before. Just like in life, it’s not about trying harder; it’s about working smarter. Achieving proper alignment in your practice allows for greater ease, enabling energy to flow more freely.
CARE for your respiratory system by drinking warming, herbal teas. Herbs like mullein and nettles are great for easing respiratory ailments and reducing inflammation. Burdock root and ginger are an excellent addition, helping detox organs like the liver and kidneys.
TRY incorporating more twists into your yoga routine, or as a small pause throughout the day. Focusing on twists throughout the fall promotes grounding and eases digestion, while also helping release deep stagnant energy.
Adapting your practices to the seasons of your life, like those found in this masterclass, can help you navigate larger changes with greater ease. Yoga is more than just stretching; it’s not solely about flexibility. It’s about aligning yourself in time and space to move toward your true desires. It’s about building a solid foundation, allowing you to rise to your highest potential. It’s about shifting your perspective from the personal to the universal. When you feel good inside your body, your home, you can create more of what you desire. Remember, you are an infinite reservoir of your own life force, your qi. When you align your practice with the changing seasons, you tap into the support of nature, which is also your own nature.
