Autumn Equinox: It’s That Time of Year Again
Once again, we see the seasons changing. The long, sunny days of summer have passed. We're now in a period of transition. Wednesday, September 22 is the autumnal equinox: a day when then the sun is exactly above Earth's equator, as it moves from north to south. Night and day are approximately equal in length. Be prepared for the shift at 3:21pm (EST). Beyond this point, the sun's rays cast more indirect light on the northern hemisphere, ushering in a shift to cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours.
When environmental cues tell us change is happening, that’s our signal to encourage letting go, slowing down and taking time for restorative practices. We don’t need to see this shift as a dismal plunge into cold and darkness. Symbollically, it’s a good time to turn toward the light within. We can instead view this event as a way to check in, restore and reboot. Combating the change can cause further upheaval and unsteadiness. So: If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em…right? Find ways to work in alignment with the season.
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em…
While the daylight hours grow shorter and we move into greater stretches of darkness, it offers an opportunity; a time for us to examine our darker sides. Those darker sides may be things we don’t like about ourselves, or conversely, they may be the wonderful things about ourselves we choose to hide (maybe we wish to avoid attention or perhaps we lack the time to further explore these qualities?).
If you meditate…
…or have some quiet time on your own, ask yourself probing questions like, “What am I holding back? Where am I creating struggle? Am I harboring anger? Guilt? How can I let go of things that hold me back? Can I forgive…? How can I make a conscious change?”
This can be a good time for healing change if we know how to seek the things that soothe us. Sometimes (and perhaps more importantly), the change can only happen when we muster up the courage to face the hard questions.
In addition to the theme of “cleaning house”, is the notion of contemplation. We can’t always know we’re unbalanced without taking a moment to think about it. We may strive for balance throughout the year, but have you considered areas of your life where you intuitively feel imbalanced? What ways can you reign yourself back to center? What balance is there between giving and receiving in your life? Or creating and allowing? Prioritize pumping the breaks a bit and taking more time for self-care in your daily routine.
Ayurvedically…
…this is a time of increased Vata. As the qualities of ether and air abound, individuals with more Vata in their constitution will really feel the change. Some of Vata’s best qualities of creativity, intellect and activity will rapidly devolve into fear, anxiety and irritability. The best practices to soothe Vata are in grounding, warmth and hydration. For optimal balance, our yoga practices should encourage slower sequences with more balancing asanas.
Restoratively, Child’s Pose is a great way to find grounding. Holding reclining twists and deep hip openers are more great ways to feel settled and let the body integrate the benefits of the yoga. Asanas practiced on the belly (back bends like Salabhasana and Danurasana) alleviate the accumulation of imbalanced Vata.
Practicing balancing pranayama such as samavrtti (“same breath” where inhales match the lengths of exhales) is a great way to find quiet and fluidity.
Whatever practices you choose for the seasonal change and weeks to come, know that you’re connecting to something larger; it’s being tuned in to the inherent wisdom of the Earth. We’re simply reflecting our daily routines and activities in observation of it to find or maintain harmony and health.
