November Theme of the Month

It is said the only constant in life is change and Autumn is all about change. Just like what’s happening with the change of the seasons, our own environment is always changing, and we need to be able to adjust and adapt so that we can change to find new space and invite a deeper sense of peace to move through us.

A lot of us might start to notice the changes in our own energy from the colder weather, shorter days and darker evenings. Just like we can adapt to the season like wearing warmer clothes, going to bed earlier, eating warming food and sipping teas, in our yoga practice we can move to flow withe autumn season.

Gentle movements to wake up the joints from the cold, cultivating our own inner warmth, grounding backbends to strengthen and create energy in our solar plexus and upper abdomen, embracing change by working with gentle flows and twisting and releasing poses. Being able to slow down by having time to find inner reflection and connecting to gratitude and abundance that we already have in our own life and wonderful ways to work with the season of Autumn.

Just like last month where there was an extra focus on our breaths, another month to connect to breathing practices. Longer, deeper breaths can help calm the nervous system as the external world changes.

Breathing practices to be explored such as the Ujjayi Breath - Victorious Breath, which is calming, warming breath that encourages focus and grounding. Nadi Shodhana - Alternate Nostril Breathing – which helps balance the nervous system and calm the mind.

Embrace the Season of Change

Week 1 – Embracing Change
Nature is showing us already about releasing and letting go through the leaves to make room for something new. Maybe trying a new variation in yoga or doing something slightly different allows for new energy to flow into spaces. Poses connecting with twists and forward folds allow us to connect to how good it is to release when the time is right.

Week 2 – Cultivating Warmth
A lot of people can feel stiff and cold in the joints and the body as the temperature drops and we can focus on building an internal heat through gentle flows, connecting to our core and digestive area, breathwork and moving around the joints. Yoga is great for generating a sense of wellbeing from within.

Week 3 – Inner Reflection
As nature starts to slow and quiet down, we can use practices that invite the energy to gently draw back towards us. Autumn is a season to look inwards just like the trees who are slowly releasing more leaves. Holding poses for a longer time help us not only to find a gentle energy in our physical body but also time to be present and explore the inner landscape of your body and mind. Taking a few quiet moments regularly each day yourself can really help clear out the mental clutter that builds up.

Week 4 – Gratitude and Abundance
Gratitude can often be seen like a little gentle that reminds us of all the good things that we have whether they are big or small. Just like if you grow your own food, this time of the year may be where we have started to store things such are made up jars of food with our harvest to see the efforts that we put in over the year. In our own life this time of the year can be a reminder of our own journey and the abundance in your own life, even amidst change. Carrying a sense of contentment and abundance in our yoga practice holds a deep warm feeling.

Related Videos

Creating Space - Long
Lengthen To Twist
Morning Magic Yoga
Freeing The Joints
Explore Twists & Binds
Alternate Nostril Breathing

This Month’s Music

Here’s a selection of the music that Vicky has been enjoying this month.