Autumn Equinox

The autumn equinox has just passed. The time of year when day and night are of equal length. We can enjoy a sense of summer with the recent warm sunshine whilst knowing that autumn and winter lie directly ahead; berries have ripened and trees begin to shed leaves. 

Here in Glastonbury autumnal mists are very much present in the mornings, which have a noticeable chill! 

In terms of yoga we may relate the seasonal rythm to the rythm of the breath. We may observe a moment of balance, a pausing in the cycle of expansion and contraction. Following our inhalation, in the moment before exhalation occurs, there is a brief pause, a moment of stillness. This is repeated at the end of the exhalation. By directing our attention to the breath and savouring these pauses we connect to our own perpetual rythm.

In ayurveda, the autumn equinox is also taken into consideration. We will be beginning to making adjustments to our daily routine in terms of adjusting to the cooling temperatures and longer evenings.

It feels wonderful to receive sunlight at this time of year, absorption of UV allows the body to produce vitamin D. And it makes us feel good! I really like to get out in the sun as much as I can this time of year, get it while it's here!