Embodied Health

By: Denver Clark C-IAYT, ERYT-500, LMT

 As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, we find ourselves on the brink of the fall equinox, a time of year that invites reflection, balance, and renewal. This celestial event, occurring around September 22nd or 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the moment when day and night are nearly equal in length. It’s a beautiful reminder of the balance inherent in nature, and it provides the perfect backdrop for deepening our yoga practice.

The fall or autumn equinox signifies the transition from the warmth of summer into the cooler months of fall. In many cultures, this time is celebrated as a harvest festival, giving thanks for the bounty of nature. Symbolically, it represents a time to reap what we have sown, both in our gardens and in our lives. During this period, the energy shifts from the outward, expansive qualities of summer to the inward, introspective energy of fall. This transition encourages us to pause, assess our growth, and prepare for the introspective months ahead.

Yoga, with its roots in mindfulness and balance, aligns beautifully with the themes of the fall equinox. Here are several ways to integrate this season’s energy into your yoga practice:

1. Use your Asana practice to ground and nurture

As the days shorten, grounding poses like Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Tree Pose (Vrksasana), and Warrior Poses (Virabhadrasana) can help you connect with the earth. These poses encourage stability and help you feel more centered, mirroring the balance of day and night. Explore practices that encourage grounding, warmth and balance between effort and ease such as Yin yoga, warm yoga and gentle practices like restorative yoga.

• Practice Balancing breathwork

 Techniques like Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing) and samma vritti (equal part breath) can promote balance and clarity, aligning your energy with the equinox. Since the elements of fall in Ayurveda are primarily air and ether (Space), limiting forceful or excessive pranayama is recommended. This is a good time to keep your breath slow and smooth to stay grounded.

• Meditation & Reflection

The fall equinox is an ideal time for meditation and reflection on all you have accomplished thus far. Try beginning a daily gratitude journal, practicing Metta bhavana (Buddhist compassion) meditation or simply pausing at the end of each day to spend a few quiet moments in gratitude.

• Connect with Nature

When the seasons change, the natural world presents us with cues for how to adjust. Taking a walk in nature and noticing how the plants and animals slow down can help us remember to do the same. All living things need rest and quiet and this includes us. Enjoying the fresh air infuses our body with prana (life force energy) and connecting with mother earth helps us nurture our soul.

• Incorporate self-oil massage

In Sanskrit, the word for oil (Sneha) is also the word for love. The practice of Abhyanga comes from Ayurveda and includes self-massage using organic sesame oil to soften and support the tissues of the body. You can begin at the head and work your way down to your feet to ground your energy and soothe your nervous system. Try taking 10-20 minutes in the evening just before bed to practice Abhyanga and show yourself some ancient, time-tested self-care.

• Embrace the Balance of light and dark

The autumn equinox is the date when there is equal amounts of darkness and light, before the days begin to shorten. Remembering that all things in life have a beginning and an end can help us navigate difficult times and show gratitude for wonderful times, allowing us to fully embrace the concept of non-attachment (aparigraha). By cultivating balance in your own routine, you are embodying the energies of nature and returning to the inherent wisdom of your inner light. May this season bring you all the fruits of your labor as you reflect, rest and renew.