Welcoming Autumn: Season of the Metal element
AUTUMN OVERVIEW
Autumn is a time of descending Yin; the nights are drawing in, nature slows down and trees drop their leaves in a glorious display of autumnal reds, rusts, yellows. Autumn invites us to draw energy and strength inward, slow down, and importantly let go of what no longer serves us.
Living in balance with the Metal element of Autumn, we cut away what drains us to live closely to what matters. It is time to refine our efforts, using sound judgement; less exertion, more efficacy!
The nourishment of the Earth element is compressed to form valuable gemstones & minerals of the Metal element. This happens over vast, geological swathes of time. However in the seasonal flow, in sync with the drop in daytime hours, we must manage this transition to leaner times. We need to be thoughtful in where and how we spend our scarcer, and hence more valuable, energy.
It is time to mirror nature’s slowing & enriching, on and off the mat. This is the time to consolidate and wrap up unfinished projects, or tuck them in an ordered fashion into hibernation for next year’s growth.
It is also a time of year we fall prone to coughs and colds. How apposite then that Autumn is the season for strengthening the lungs and getting rid of what drains us. The key taste is pungent, spices such as garlic, ginger, star anise and chilli warm us, clear the sinuses and in measured amounts, improve our digestive and eliminatory function.
Good breathing practice also improves our elimination. It is very helpful to make sure we breathe into the three dantians – lower belly, ribs and chest, front and back. The full yoga breath encourages this and can be practised anywhere, anytime.
What to Expect in Class
Our Autumn practices will reflect this seasonal shift.
We’ll explore pranayama — working consciously with the breath — alongside yoga postures and movement that open and strengthen the chest, shoulders, upper back and arms.
We’ll also explore practices traditionally associated with supporting the Lung and Large Intestine meridians, encouraging us to connect with the rhythms of breathing in, breathing out, taking in and letting go.
Just One Thing
One thing I can do now
Take five slow, steady breaths.
Inhale for a count of 3 into your belly, ribs and chest, then exhale for 3–6.
Let your shoulders soften as you breathe out.
One thing I can do this season
Enshrine your me-time.
Make space for the things that genuinely replenish you, so you feel resourced rather than depleted.
Because when we take time to nourish ourselves, we have more to give to the people and things that matter to us.
🍂 This Autumn, what can you let go of — and what is worth holding close?
