Nothing Gold Can Stay
Robert Frost
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay
As the vibrant colours of autumn unfold, and we enter the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ beloved by John Keats, there's no better time to begin your yoga practice. The crisp air and the natural shift in energy make autumn a season of grounding and reflection—perfect for starting yoga. The children are back at school and so maybe it’s now possible to look back on all the memories made this summer but also find time to take stock, reflect and connect to the changing seasons.
Why Autumn?
In ‘Ode to Autumn’, Keats creates an atmosphere of abundance; the sun conspires with Autumn to ripen the apples, gourds, nuts and grapes and allow late flowers to flourish for the bees. Give thanks to Lakshmi fo all you have received this year.
Autumn is a season of transition, leaves begin to fall and we too can begin let go of what no longer serves us. Sometimes there’s been just too much going on! The summer’s such a busy time but also when we get to summer we might find we have just acquired too much stuff- mentally and physically! Yoga during this time can help us align with the natural rhythm of the season, encouraging us to release tension, cleanse our minds, and prepare for the slower pace of winter. Clear out for the charity shop anyone?
Getting Started
If you're new to yoga, start with gentle practices that emphasise grounding and connect to the root chakra- Mulhadara. Poses like Mountain (Tadasana), Tree (Vrksasana), and Child’s Pose (Balasana) help you connect with the earth and find balance during this shifting season. In my classes we’ll be still flowing through poses but returning to find the stillness within each one: the pause between the inhalation and the exhalation.
In the Celtic tradition, the Autumn Equinox is sometimes referred to as Alban Elfed or the "Light of the Water," signifying the time when the balance between day and night tips toward the darker half of the year. This balance between light and dark was honoured by the Celts as a time of transition, and that the energy is moving inward now. You could embody this physically through balances which both encourage a feeling grounding and finding equilibrium. Maybe just stand in Tadasana to begin with.
Another lovely practice is Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing), which emphasises the Celtic understanding of balance—day and night, inner and outer, masculine and feminine energies in harmony. If you’re thinking of getting started at home, why not try practising in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft, and the world is quiet? This quiet time mirrors autumn’s introspective energy.
Connect with Nature
I love to practise outdoors where possible.The cool air and the sounds of rustling leaves can deepen your breath and enhance your focus. If that’s too much you could just go for a simple walk in the park followed by a few mindful stretches. It can feel so good- incredibly rejuvenating! When you’re out and about is there a tree you’re drawn to, that you can spend some time with? The Celts viewed this time as a season to give thanks for the harvest, not only of food but also of the personal growth and knowledge gained throughout the year. What gifts, lessons, or personal growth can you acknowledge? Why not journal around this topic?
Seasonal Mindfulness
Autumn invites us to begin to look inwards again. It’s the perfect time to start coming to class and lie on the mat at the beginning of the session, just letting go of the busy world out there! Maybe you could get some meditation into your routine, focusing on themes of letting go and gratitude. Reflect on what you’ve harvested in your life—what accomplishments and lessons have you gathered? What can you release as you move forward? We’ll be looking at these ideas in my upcoming Autumn Equinox workshop.
For the Celts, this season also involved honouring ancestors and those who came before. As the darkness grew, they felt the veil between the worlds thinning, making it easier to communicate with those who had passed. During your meditation, you might visualise your ancestors or spiritual guides standing with them. Imagine gathering wisdom or strength from those who came before you and honouring both the visible and invisible support in your life. A lovely idea I cam aross recently is to write a note of thanks to a loved one or mentor (living or passed) acknowledging the support you've received.
Nourishing Your Body
As the weather cools, your body might crave warmth. Complement your yoga practice with warm, nourishing foods—think soups, roasted vegetables, and herbal teas. Use up any leftover veg from the freeze- create some space too. I love soup and it’s so easy to make. A bowl of it will also support your body’s transition into the cooler months.
Starting yoga this autumn is more than just a new exercise routine. Yoga is not just exercise! In fact, I always think of it as ‘innercise’! Perhaps it’s more of an opportunity to connect with the natural world and align your inner rhythms with the season. Embrace this time of change and let your practice be a source of grounding, warmth, and peace as you prepare for the stillness of winter.
Fall, Leaves, Fall
Emily Brontë
Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.
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