Yoga news from the Season... a roundup of what's happening
Newsletter
Autumn
Hello lovely people
Welcome to the Autumn Newsletter!
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!). What are YOU ready to let go of in this Season?
Warm wishea
Rachel
Things to do in the 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, 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
New! – Seasonal Sundays!
Immerse yourself in Seasonal practices! These luxurious 2-hour sessions take place on the LAST Sunday morning of each month in Letchworth. Expect Seasonal Qigong, Yoga Flow, Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra or meditation.
Everyone is welcome, whether you are a regular in my classes or not. Message me to book in to the next session 😊
Yin Yoga
on Zoom
Be Yinspired! Calming, relaxing, soothing…Everyone needs a little Yin time…
My monthly Yin Yoga class continues to run on Zoom – it’s now on the SECOND Friday of each month at 6.30pm. Come and join us! – Just message me for a link.
The classes are Seasonally themed so provide a perfect complement to the more yang yoga practice.
Yin Yoga – SECOND Friday of each month on Zoom – 6.30-7.45pm
Course News
Seasonal Yoga Five Elements Foundation Course
We’re really looking forward to running this course again in 2025 after a gap of a couple of years. Go to our courses page to see the dates for next year! This course runs across 5/6 months, 2 half day weekends per month and is aimed at those who want to learn more about the Five Elements, Seasonal Yoga, breath work and meditation as well as home health habits with a view to establishing these practices at home.
You do not have to have previous yoga experience to do this course, but we will be aiming to empower you to establish your own personal practice. Note this course is aimed at personal development and is not a Teacher Training course. You are not certified to teach after taking it. If you’d like to join us next year, please speak to me.
Seasonal Yoga Immersion & Teacher Training Course
We are delighted to say that our third cohort of SYTT students have started their year long journey with us. They’re a lovely group and we can’t wait to see where the journey takes them. They will be finishing up next Summer and then Melissa and I will be continuing the Teacher Training with an aim to start a new course in September 2025. Sounds a long way off but it’s good to plan ahead! Don’t miss out on the next opportunity! - If you’ve been thinking about joining us, let me know.
The course is licenced by Seasonal Yoga in Glasgow and runs 1 weekend per month over 12 months. Teaching from myself and my lovely assistant Melissa Campbell.
This really unique course is suitable for those looking to really deepen their personal knowledge and practice even if they have no desire to teach; as well as those who feel in their bones they want to share these wonderful teachings with others.
Course promo - 1 min
End of course - 1 min
Interviews with graduates - 12 mins
Dates for last regular classes before Christmas:
Tuesday 17 Dec
Wednesday 18 Dec
Thursday 19 Dec
Friday 20 Dec
YIN YOGA Online - Friday 13 December
Last Seasonal Sunday of 2024 will be November 24 (re-start January 26th)
Classes will re-start from 7 January 2025
“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