Welcome Autumn

Today is the Autumn Equinox - a day where we are once again striking the fine balance between darkness and light. From here on we will be moving within, back into the darkness of night, the depths of the Soul. We pause in gratitude for the harvest of the year, of the summer, the fruits of our labor, the rewards of our hard work. As we enjoy abundance, it becomes clear where we are not experiencing harvest and abundance. What happened? What went wrong? Autumn is a time of assessment of this question, not in judgment but in curiosity. In Winter we go back to the drawing board to prepare for new life and creation of the new year, but in order to get to that point we must know what we need to work on. It's not about throwing out the baby with the bathwater, it's about composting what did not work so that it may some day be reborn in a form that serves us better. 

The energy of the summer is hot and damp. The energy of the winter is cold and dry. We are not entering a period of transition between the polarities and it serves us best to be diligent about this so that we don't experience mental and physical chaos and stress once winter hits us. Start slowing down, cooling down, striking balance in your routine as well as your diet. Healthy routines that honor our energy level will help nourish the body and the mind. Add more quiet time to unwind and observe. Eat warming foods and begin cutting out the raw. 

The Earth is changing, why shouldn't we? You can fight it all you want, but that is how we get sick and burnt out. There is a reason why this have evolved the way they have over a millennia, it just works! Here are 8 simple tips to help you adjust, nurture and stay in rhythm with the world you live in: 

1. Eat seasonal fruits like apples and pears to help you purge some of the excess heat of summer. Fall is a great time for a gentle cleanse to help remove toxins and get rid of the excess... emphasis on gentle though! Nothing crazy please. 
2. Begin eating warmer foods - cutting down (and eventually out) the raw salads. Your body needs heat, as well as denser foods
3. Get into a comfortable routine, it is much easier on the body to get up at the same time, go to bed at the same time, eat at the same time, etc. In general ask yourself how you can bring more balance into your daily life? Where have you been burning the candle a bit too much?
4. Add in some really good grounding routines that are nourishing to body and mind such as meditation, hot baths, journalling, walking outside
5. Nourish the relationships in your life - Winter brings us in, both physically and mentally. It's important to recognize the need to greater intimacy with ourselves and others. These relationships support you in the darker days, so start supporting them now.
6. Assess and offer up gratitude for all of the goodness that has been harvested and manifested in your life over these last 12 months. 
7. Start upping your immune system with good multivitamins, vitamin D, Ashwaganda and other herbs/teas/supplements that support physical and mental health
8. Ask and asses if there are areas of your life that are currently lacking? What help do you need to improve here (ask for it!)? What do you need to take back to the drawing board to eventually compost and rebuild? 

Will you be in Virginia Beach this weekend? Join me Saturday at 3 pm at Angela Phillips Yoga Studio for Nurturing in the Rhythm of Autumn where we will discuss the energies of the seasons, how to support change, create an Autumnal Alter, move through a guided meditation and more!

For further details or directions please contact me.