I always feel the shift from summer to fall much more than to any other season. So much activity happens during this big period of transition: San Francisco’s beloved post season baseball and football games, the Jewish New Year—and with Halloween and Thanksgiving ahead and summer vacation far behind, we are faced with increased obligations and responsibilities as our daily routines shift into a new mode.
As seasons change and days get longer or shorter, our sleep cycles, moods, and appetites change as well. Life often becomes more challenging during these transitions, especially leading into the holidays. This time in particular presents a good opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to keeping up with our yoga practice.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your practice during the autumn season.
Slow Down The Pace: Practice some more standing poses and sink into them for a little longer then usual. As the holidays approach, it is important to remain grounded and rooted. Increasing the focus on our roots and foundation will lead us to overall greater stability in our lives.
Add an Inversion: Inversions can definitely be scary, but so can a week with family at the holidays! Inversions help to focus frenzied energy back toward the earth, giving a deeper feeling of support. Your inversion doesn’t even have to be as dynamic as a headstand or handstand. You can simply position your legs up the wall for an extended period of time, or start in bridge pose with a block underneath your sacrum and lift your legs (while maintaining your balance on the block).
Breathe Fully: Make pranayama and a small meditation period a part of your daily routine. Breathing practices promote a more restful nature overall and help to ground us. Alternate nostril breathing (nadi shodhana) is a great way to clear out the deeper subtle energy channels of the body, as it draws the mind inward and calms the nervous system.
Cheers,
Wednesdays, Vinyasa Flow (Noon-1:15)