Yoga with the Seasons: Autumn Equinox.
Just ten days ago, on 22 September, the great wheel of the year turned once more, carrying us gently into the embrace of Autumn. The Autumn Equinox marks a moment of perfect balance, when day and night are equal. It’s a period of time that is reminding us of the importance of harmony within ourselves and with the world around us. In many traditions, this time of year symbolises a shift inward, a gentle invitation to slow down, reflect, and release what no longer serves us as nature prepares for rest.
Yoga offers a beautiful way to align with this seasonal energy. By adjusting our practice to reflect the qualities of autumn we cultivate feeling of balance, grounding, and letting go. This can bring about great steadiness and presence as we move into the darker half of the year, helping to support our health and wellbeing.
The Energy of the Equinox
Balance: Just as light and dark find equal footing, our practice can focus on balancing strength with softness, effort with ease. Perhaps it’s time to add some restorative or slow flow practices into your usual hot yoga or vinyasa flows?
Grounding: Autumn invites us to root down, connecting to the earth as the winds of change stir around us. Our breathwork and meditation practices can help us connect to this sense of grounding.
Release: Like trees letting go of their leaves, we can use breath and mindful movement to release tension, cluttered thoughts, and emotional heaviness. Long slow breathy exhales!
Yoga Practices for the Autumn Equinox
1. Grounding Asanas
Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Stand tall, feet rooted, spine long. Visualise balance between earth and sky, notice the connection points between your feet and the support of the ground.
Tree Pose (Vrksasana): A standing balance to embody equanimity and focus. Embracing all wobbles and movement. A tree bends with the wind.
Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana): A calming posture to encourage introspection and letting go. This can be even more beautiful if you place a bolster under your knees.
2. Breathwork (Pranayama)
Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana): Balances left and right energy channels, mirroring the balance of day and night. I like to imagine I am drawing a trianglular shape as I breathe. In through one nostril, draw the line to the bridge of the nose, exhale and draw another line to the opposite nostril.
Deep Belly Breathing: Grounds the nervous system and invites release with each exhale. Placing hands on the body can provide great comfort through sensation of heat and tuning into the movement the breath creates in the body. Notice the rise and fall, expansion and contraction.
3. Gentle Flow for Balance
A slower sequence possibly omitting Sun Salutations and instead swapping for more of a Hatha flow with longer holds, emphasising flowy transitions with some repetitive movement. Flow with intention, pausing to feel the balance of effort and surrender.
Rituals to Deepen the Practice
Journal: Reflect on what you are ready to release this season and what balance means in your life right now.
Nature Walk: Collect leaves, acorns, or stones to create a small altar that honours the season.
Meditation: Sit quietly and visualise yourself letting go of old patterns, creating space for new growth in the coming months.
Closing Reflection
The Autumn Equinox is not only a celestial event but also an invitation to pause, breathe, and realign. When we practice yoga with the rhythm of the seasons, we cultivate harmony within ourselves that mirrors the balance of nature.
As the days grow shorter, let your practice be a source of warmth, grounding, and clarity—carrying you gracefully into the quieter months ahead.
