Breath Practice

Embrace the new upcoming season with an open heart. Make it happen, shock everyone, including yourself, and trust in the magic of new beginnings. Life is full of change – we all know that – but it is how we show up for when it’s happening that defines us.   

As we enter the fall, we all begin to feel a bit anxious, or perhaps sad, that the carefree days of summer and endless daylight are slipping away. How best to navigate this time without being overwhelmed with the idea of going back to a standard routine? Try to take time to sit in stillness and look inward and draw upon the feelings or sensations that arise in your body. When we blank out other thoughts or movements, and we sit in a meditative state, we open our subconscious mind and allow observations or answers to come to us without forcing them.

We are a hard-wired society and always on the go. We are recognized for our ability to multi-task and complete endless responsibilities successfully on a daily basis. When we don’t do so, there is judgment or concern that we haven’t done anything or even cared. There is the expectation that everyone can manage transitions effortlessly and not miss a beat, but are we all retaining what we are learning or experiencing? Are we embracing all aspects of our life? As we face the transition of seasons, I encourage you to create space for yourself to show up and promote your self-care and well-being as you move into this new period of time and back to a “routine.”

Dinacharya, a concept in Ayurvedic medicine, is the daily ritual of self-care. By establishing a daily routine that suits your needs, you can maintain a healthy lifestyle and be fully present in each moment of your life. In yoga, we also believe that the way we engage with our practice on the mat mirrors or reflects how we live our lives off the mat. The connection between mind, body, and breath during yoga can influence how we navigate through life. At the end of each yoga class I teach, I remind my students that, as they sit in silence, feeling the openness they just created in their mind and body, this is where their yoga truly begins. I encourage them to take that feeling and share it with others.    

The simple act of slowing down so that you are prepared to handle life’s changes, challenges, and experiences is a gift you can give yourself. Practicing yoga, meditation, or sitting in stillness are tools you can use during these times of change. Remember, it is through these times of change that one grows. Instead of worrying about the change of seasons and the return to a routine, you can simply shift your mindset to focus on the growth that will come with this new season. Embrace the experiences you will encounter and the self-love you will cultivate, no matter what “routine” that ends up being for you!