Hello Pumpkin 🎃🍂 How and why i'm leaning into Autumn

Hello Pumpkin 🎃🍂

If you follow my social media you may have noticed how particularly insufferable I've gotten the last week or so getting excited for Autumn (and yes I'm aware it's still like 25 degrees out)

If you're about done with my autumn content than this might not be the blog post for you but I want to talk about what the heck my love of Autumn has to do with my yoga practice

For me a big part of my yoga practice besides the sun salutations and attempts to sit still and meditate is leaning into the different seasons and energies they bring. It's finding joy and contentment in the here and now and looking for the things to celebrate rather than always looking forward and waiting for the sunshine of the summer. Autumn is the season of turning inwards and introspection, and also of celebrating the harvest and abundance

"saṁtoṣāt-anuttamaḥ sukha-lābhaḥ" - Yoga Sutra 2.42

Loosely translated this sutra teaches us that - Supreme joy is attained through contentment

So if we can cultivate gratitude and contentment - and I say cultivate quite intentionally as I don't think it comes naturally I do think we have to practice it - than happiness and joy will follow

Now I might be cheating slightly as Autumn is THE season I have always enjoyed most. I've always felt an affinity to Autumn from a young age - perhaps as my birthday is in Autumn, perhaps because as a freckly ginger the sun and heat are not for me, perhaps as when I had 'my colours done' as a child (anyone else remember doing that?) I came out as an Autumn - so I get into the Autumn spirit very quickly. I love taking moments to connect with nature this time of year as for me it’s the perfect tonic to often busy high energy summers and provides a little grounding and connection

But if Autumn is not the one for you than here are somethings you can do to lean into the season and find some little moments of joy and contentment

• Eat seasonally: SOUP SEASON IS ON US. For me there is nothing better than getting some hearty veg and throwing them in the slow cooker. I know one of my students is particularly excited that 'apple crumble' season is here. Taking time to lovingly and mindfully make or bake wholesome nourishing and comforting food with seasonal produce is just the best. As we are in the season of the harvest and abundance even better if you can share it with some loved ones or someone you are grateful for or who has helped you in some way this summer

• Spend some time outdoors each day: Look at the trees, embrace your inner child and pick up some conkers, walk through some crunchy leaves, and take some big loving breaths of the crisp air - it is SO good for you

• Watch some cosy/spooky autumnal movies: for me Meg Ryan is the queen of Autumn and I gots to have an annual viewing of You've got Mail and when Harry met Sally - But if you're more a Halloween girly than my fave go to has gots to be Practical Magic

• Autumnal music: I know I've mentioned before but music is SUCH a biggy for me for shifting my energy and encouraging introspection. The musical queens of Autumn I gravitate to are Florence, Stevie Nicks, Lana Del Ray, Hozier and of course the Taylor Swift Autumn trifecta of the Red Album, Folklore and Evermore. You can click on my autumn playlist below if you want a soundtrack for your autumn festivities

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6fs9xj7Ut9qk4Kjl8tKB0A?si=3774e1d7a5154c55

• Journal/Vision board: As we move from Summer to Autumn it’s a good time to move from busy outward activities to inner contemplation. Autumn is THE PERFECT time to reflect on the seeds we have planted in the spring and summer months, and start thinking about the big dreams and future plans ready to bring them to fruition next spring 

• Yoga: This time of year my asana practice tries to reflect that transition inwards - so I try and combine nice powerful open poses, with more grounding ones - think Warrior 2 to Pyramid pose

So todays takeaways

• Yoga is more than the poses and also about listening to and celebrating the earth

• The Harvest is about abundance and gratitude - if we can harness an attitude of gratitude we just might find some contentment

• Appreciate the little joys - even if they're a little silly

• If you're still LOVING the sun salutations and the arm balances and the sweaty flows than you do you, but it might be the time to start thinking about how we turn inwards for deeper contemplation and lean into the slower Autumn energy

Convention tells me I should at least finish by reminding you you can find me on the mat at the below times. I'm here for all your seasonal needs - to give you a little bit of space and quiet to turn inwards, to encourage some gratitude and mindfulness, and guide you through an asana practice that works with where you are on any given day 🧡

Rise and Shine Morning Yoga | Zoom | Weds & Fri 0630-0700

Wind-Down Yoga | The Breathe in Space Northampton | Weds 1730-1845

See you on the mat and seasons greetings 🍂

Court x