Fall change is in the air!
Take a look around, signs of autumn are appearing everywhere.
Cattail seed heads ready themselves to disperse seeds to ensure next year’s growth. Nature knows how to keep itself going! — At Mill Creek Park, Youngstown, OH
From the yellowing leaves, to the blooming fall flowers, to the ready-to-burst cattails, everything in nature is preparing for a most glorious change in seasons.
And so are we!
Autumnal Equinox (September 22) is one of the two days in the year when the earth has perfect balance of daylight and darkness. As autumn progresses, this balance gives way to exciting changes in nature as it slows down for the gestation of winter.
Equinox, that momentary balance between extremes within the cycle, signals a turning point -- a before and after -- crossing a threshold. It marks entry into the next phase.
It's such a wonderful time of year!
Autumn brings with it a mixture of endings and new beginnings. Simultaneously, we harvest the fruits of our labors while planting seeds for the future.
At the start of the season, we may have noticed that some things have run their course and come to an end. As we reflect on the experiences we've had, this naturally spawns the seeds of what is desired next, much like the cycle of life. From this perspective, gratitude and appreciation help us to transition from what has been to what will be.
In this light, the Wheel of the Year truly brings gifts at every turn!
Autumn wildflower Goldenrod attracts bumblebees for pollination. The cycle of life continues! — At Mill Creek Park, Youngstown, OH
Plant seeds of change!
In yoga, the Sun Salutations are an activating, repetitive flow practice. They get the blood moving, the life-force revving, and give spark to seeds of intention. They help to focus and direct the energy that gets things going.
At the start of each season, yogis everywhere recognize this time of change and see it as an opportunity to set Sankalpa -- a mantra of intention to bring about a positive change in one's life -- and immerse in Sun Salutations practice to energize this intention.
Sun Salutations can be a very vigorous practice. The highly active nature of them invites surrender and a "burning off" of what's not essential. It becomes easier for me to shift focus during practice so that I can soften what hinders me and allow change to take place.
A Sankalpa gives focus to the coming season. The Sun Salutations practice energizes this focus to sustain it into fruition.
It is the thrust of life that helps us to sustain changes into the future!
I have been exploring the relationship between the seasons and yogic practice for over a decade. As a result, I have noticed cycles in my life. I have made connections to larger themes. And I have utilized the intent and focus that I’ve gained from yoga practice to bring about personal growth. All of these aspects go into my Yoga & The Wheel Of The Year workshop series. Eight times a year — at the start of each of the four seasons and at the midpoint within each season — we approach the period with curiosity, reverence and joy. We honor it with a practice that helps us connect with nature’s rhythms — and our own.
