Attune to Autumn

September 22 marks the Fall Equinox and the beginnings of the winds of change...

The natural qualities of Autumn are :

• windy
• changeable
• spacious
• cool
• fast moving
• erratic
• dry
• airy

Possible imbalances may include a lack of:

• clarity
• control of the monkey mind
• concentration
• focus
• purpose

These imbalances may present as: procrastination, nervousness, overwhelm, perfectionism, feeling scattered, headaches, anxiousness, frazzled, comparison, & upper back, neck & shoulder tension.

As work, school and life ramp up, staying balanced throughout the season calls for intention to resist the tendencies of overscheduling, rushing around and being generally over-busy, spreading yourself too thin.

Trying to fit more into the shorter days and succumb to the busy energy Fall demand, can lead us down a quick path of imbalance that shows up as colds, anxiety, constipation, stress & overwhelm.

Here are a few tips to nourish, calm and maintain wellbeing to prevent imbalances in your physical and energetic body this season.

Self-nourishment is on the menu for Autumn:

FOODS: Choose warming, cleansing cooked foods like root vegetables (taking in minerals & nutrients from the earth can help ground the mind), grains, one-pot foods like stews, soups, rice, healthy casseroles. *more on this in next lesson

ROUTINE: Making the effort to go to bed and awaken at the same time daily, taking regular meal times and carving out time for a contemplative practice of stillness every morning or evening. Add a manta to everyday tasks like brushing teeth or doing dishes. (“I reside in my own true nature” or “breathe in calm, breathe out worry”)

CONSCIOUS SCHEDULING: When adding activities and tasks to the calendar, be mindful of what sustains you and what drains you. Reflecting honestly around what your limits are, to avoid overscheduling and to avoid succumbing to the frazzled nature this season invites. Honor your time & your personal and professional boundaries. Acknowledge what you need to stay grounded and stick to it. Remember, it’s okay to say no.

HYDRATION: Keep skin and hair hydrated by drinking plenty of warm water and choosing hydrating, moist foods. Neem oil scalp massage to prevent brittle, dry hair and dandruff. Sesame oil for daily or weekly full body self massage after shower. To scent the oil , add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

While we may love & welcome this new season, it’s also common to feel overwhelmed, anxious, agitated, untethered, way over-busy & even fearful during this time of change.

The change in schedules, weather, fewer daylight hours, new beginnings, all play a role in how we individually and collectively feel the shift.

It can be a heady & bumpy ride for some of us as we move away from the bright, energizing & casual summer months, into the more routined, set schedules and timelines of work, travel and family life. 

We can observe all this with self compassion and curiosity as we bear witness to the physical changes beginning all around us; from the initial changes in nature’s colors, the darker mornings, flowers releasing their bloom, to the early leaves beginning to let go, and the slowing, windy, cooler rhythms…

We can give way to receive these cues from nature.

We can orient toward nature’s cues and nourish ourselves by slowing down, getting more sleep, staying present, taking rest, eating warm seasonal foods, and easing our way into the season with intention. 

Observe where your awareness goes, the quality of mind chatter that leads you away from your center and into the swirling chaos and overwhelm.

Breathe yourself back to center & notice where you can let go and become mindful of what you need to conserve your energy and stay in balance.

Remember to give yourself permission to make room for more of what feeds your soul and keeps you whole.

What new mindful movement or daily practice might you invite to stay grounded?

Warming foods and spices can also help ground us and nurture the balance we need for the season.

Here’s a quick warming recipe ideally suited for the season

Here’s a great way to amp up your self care this season, starting with your breath and attuning to the vayus or the “winds” of the body. 

BREATHE 
is an online, self-paced breathing series to learn & practice pranayama breath techniques that help empower you find your center, lower anxiety, sleep soundly & be more present. 

Be well and take good care of yourself this season and beyond.