Balance in the transitions
According to the Ayurveda system of health, which utilizes proper diet, herbal interventions, movement practices, and relaxation techniques to restore balance in the body and mind, the fall season as a time of transition in nature, can tend to provoke feelings in us of ungroundedness, restlessness, and insecurity.
So in order to maintain physical, mental and emotional balance, in harmony with the seasons, we are invited to begin to slow down and become mindful of balancing effort and ease, busyness and rest, and movement and stillness, in our fall daily routines.
Transitions, whether in nature, or in our personal lives (new job, new home, new relationship, etc) can often feel destabilizing in the body and mind. They may feel scary, exciting, hopeful, and anxiety-inducing all at the same time!
Three practices that may support us to face transitions with a calm mind, open heart, and steadfast spirit, include reflection, meditation, and a restorative yoga practice.
reflective journaling
In this transition of the seasons and nature, which personal transitions am I currently experiencing?
Which of my daily activities, practices, and habits are leaving me feeling nourished during this transition?
Which of my daily activities, practices, and habits are leaving me feeling depleted during this transition?
What do I need to let go of in my life? And in a sense, just like nature during this season, graciously allow it to return to the earth?
restorative postures
Invite balance into our sympathetic (fight or flight, adrenaline dominant) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system.
Reduces stress, improves sleep, and may enhance functioning of our cardiovascular, respiratory and GI systems.
I find when I hit a midday slump in energy, any of these poses for ~15 minutes feels as refreshing and restorative as a nap!
walking meditation
Whether you choose to walk in a park, on a hiking path or just around your neighborhood, invite yourself to be open to the experience of the walk itself and the scenery surrounding you. This type of meditation invites us to enhance our awareness of self and the world around us, which often gets lost in the busyness of modern society.
*Feel free to listen to the audio while trying out this practice. Pause at any time and for as long as you would like, before moving on to the next step.*
Body check. As you start to walk notice how the body feels. Stiff or relaxed, heavy or light. Perhaps you ate too much and feel stuffed. Take a minute to scan the body from head to toe, without judgement. Simply become aware of any physical sensations.
Begin to tune into the senses.
Sight: Observe the sights around you--cars, buildings, houses, trees, flowers, roads, windows, etc. Observe without the internal commentary of your mind. Simply see an object and move on. See the next object and again move on.
Sound: Now observe the sounds, near and far. What is the farthest sound you can hear? What is the closest sound you can hear? Again try not to dwell on the sound, simply observe and move on.
Smell: Now notice any smells, pleasant or unpleasant. Notice how the mind can often quickly create a story/commentary of smells, perhaps taking you back to a place or person with a familiar smell. Again, try to observe the smell without the internal commentary of your mind.
Touch: Now notice any physical sensations on your skin. Perhaps the softness of a breeze or the warmth of the sun.
Movement: Now tune into your body again, this time the flow of your gait. Notice how your arms hang or gently swing. Become aware of the shift of your weight- right to left. Notice the pace and the rhythm of your gait. Remain here with the flow of your gait. Stay present. Stick with it, allow it to move you. Just like we allow the breath to guide us in seated meditation, the rhythm of our gait guides us in walking meditation. Your rhythm becomes the base of your awareness. When the mind wanders return your focus to the natural flow of your walk.