Yoga news from the Season…
Welcome to the Autumn Newsletter!
Hello lovely people…
Welcome!
I hope you feel strong, centred and nourished by your Late Summer/Earth element practice as we settle into the cooler Yin months of the year.
In Chinese Medicine Autumn is associated with the Metal element – an element of refinement and discipline. The natural energy of the Metal element is about consolidation – letting go of what no longer serves; and holding onto what is precious, to see you through the Winter.
Sometimes that process can lead to feelings of grief…the emotion associated with the Metal element. It isn’t always easy letting go and much of the time we think of grief as being an undesirable emotion, but as with all emotions, it has its place and issues only arise when the grief is stuck, unresolved and not processed.
Working with the Metal element can help us to do that processing. It makes sense that the organ pair of the Metal element is the Lungs/Large Intestine, both being associated with “taking in and letting go” (think about it!).
This can be a good time to bring projects to a conclusion and move on so you have a bit more time for reflection.
What are you ready to let go of this Autumn?
Warm wishes
Rachel
Things to do in Autumn:
Take 8 big deep breaths each morning to get your day off to a good start – move your arms!
Finish up any projects or courses you have been doing over the Summer
Get stuff off your chest! – in a constructive way of course
Let go of old (perhaps unhelpful) habits to make space for new ones
Allocate more time to quieter (more Yin) pursuits such as meditation
Focus on breathing practices (pranayama) which will strengthen and nourish the lungs
Consider any areas of your life where you are having trouble letting go and take some time to work on them.
Spend time walking outside, breathing deeply
As the temperatures drop, wear a scarf round the neck and chest to protect the lungs which are considered very delicate
The Metal element is also related to the skin (sometimes described as the 3rd lung) so this is a great time to start skin brushing which is very beneficial to the skin and to the lymphatic system (please don’t use a hair brush, you can buy brushes specifically designed for the skin)
Autumn Nutrition:
- Always try to eat lots of food that is locally in season rather than foods transported from abroad
- Warming, pungent and spicy foods like ginger, cinnamon and curry spices are great at this time of year, although don’t overdo it if you’re already a warm person or suffer from inflammation of any kind including hot flushes
- “White” foods are considered especially beneficial – think of tofu, cauliflower, celeriac, leeks, onions, mushrooms.
- Eat far fewer cold foods and salads; more warm foods like soups and stews.
- As always drink plenty of water which is beneficial for elimination…in the cooler months you can drink it warm, with a slice of lemon
AHIMSA YOGA NEWS
What’s been going on?
Lots have been happening this year…
Seasonal Yoga Teacher Training Course
Our third Seasonal Yoga Teacher Training in Herts finished in August – congratulations to our graduates!!
Our fourth cohort are about to start their training as I write.
We are really proud of our graduates and current students and super excited to be delivering this beautiful training.
I’ve seen some criticism recently of 200 hour trainings – from experienced teachers who feel there is not enough emphasis in many trainings upon personal practice or self reflection. I must say that our course absolutely includes and concentrates on these aspects and I feel proud that it is so comprehensive.
Maybe we will run a fifth training – who knows! Watch this space for dates if you are interested.
The course is open to anyone with a sincere interest in Yoga 😊 You may not want to teach, you may just want to have a year of personal evolution, devoted to you and your wellbeing. Either way we’ll support and nurture you through the year and you will have an amazing time. As Alison, one of last year’s graduates says, this is “A joyful, demanding learning experience!”
For further information on the course, see our Teacher Training page here:
Find out more about this 200 hour Yoga Alliance accredited course here:
Seasonal Yoga Five Elements Foundation Course
We’re excited to be running the Foundation course again starting in January 2026
This is a great course as a Foundation for Yoga and the Five Elements if you want to go on the Teacher Training course, but also wonderful on its own to establish yourself in a personal practice which includes not just postures but also breathwork and meditation.
Why not set aside these 5 Saturday mornings and 5 Sunday afternoons and focus on your own self care?
More information and dates on the Foundation Course page
Teaching on the course will be from me, assisted by the lovely Melissa Campbell.
“The success of Yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships.”
TKV Desikachar