YOGA AND NATURE'S CYCLES : ADAPTING YOUR PRACTICE TO THE SEASONS AND THE MOON
November and December, with their autumnal and lunar energies, invite us to slow down, refocus and adapt our yoga practice to natural cycles.
From Yin Yoga to cultivate letting go, full-moon meditations to release emotions and new-moon rituals to set intentions, this article explores simple and profound practices to harmonize body, mind and nature in this time of transition.
Written by Valentine - December 2024
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Reading time
Approx. 10 minutes
WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO DISCOVER
- Understanding the Influence of Natural Cycles on Body and Mind: How the seasons and lunar phases affect our physical and emotional energies, and why adjusting your yoga practice can transform your well-being.
- Yin Yoga for Autumn: Cultivating Calm and Release: Discover specific postures and practices to accompany autumnal energy and slow down your pace.
- Full Moon Rituals: Liberate and Gratify: Meditations and exercises to connect with lunar energies and release what no longer serves you.
- New Moon and Renewal: Setting Aligned Intentions: How to use this lunar phase to refocus your priorities and integrate restorative practices.
- Adapting your Yoga to the Autumnal Rhythm: Tips for harmonizing your daily practice with the needs of the season, from morning to night.
- Balancing your Emotions with Nature: Tools to soothe autumn melancholy and nourish your inner grounding through yoga.
- "Let's take a look!
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, A TIME OF NATURAL AND INNER TRANSITION
In November-December, nature begins a profound slowdown. The trees are stripped bare, the days are getting shorter, and the fresh air invites us to withdraw. This month of transition encourages us to turn inward and adjust not only our physical practices, but also our daily rhythm.
In a world where speed is valued, slowing down can be perceived as a luxury, but it's actually a vital need. Yoga, with its ability to reconnect body andmind, invites us to honor this slowing down and welcome this period as an opportunity to reflect and refocus.
In everyday life, this could mean rethinking our mornings. Instead of running as soon as we wake up, why not start the day with a gentle practice such as conscious breathing, or a simple movement such as the gradual rolling of the spine in a seated position? These moments, however short, allow us to set an intention for the day.
Similarly, ending the evening with a meditation or relaxing posture, such as legs against the wall(Viparita Karani), can help us release accumulated tension.
Incorporating these little rituals into your daily routine will help you feel a deep sense of calm despite the hustle and bustle of modern life.
AUTUMN AND YIN YOGA: CULTIVATING DEPTH AND LETTING GO
Autumn is a season whenenergy begins to withdraw, in harmony with nature as it slows down its cycle.
In yoga, Yin Yoga is an ideal practice to accompany this period. By inviting us to remain in postures for several minutes, it acts not only physically, by stretching deep tissues such as fascia, but also mentally, by developing patience andacceptance. It's a practice that teaches us to "be" rather than "do", a perfect antidote to the stresses of everyday life.
Imagine an evening in November or early December, when you light a candle, unroll your mat and settle into the caterpillar posture(Paschimottanasana). As your back gently stretches and your breath slows, you begin to feel the tensions of the day melt away. This type of practice also enables you to work on deep emotions, asautumn is often a season when repressed memories and feelings rise to the surface.
Why not create a weekly routine around Yin Yoga, incorporating postures like the half pigeon or the butterfly? It could become a ritual of self-care, a moment to reconnect with yourself while honoring theautumnal energy.
In everyday life, integrating thespirit of Yin Yoga also means accepting to slow down in other areas. This can involve conscious pauses in your day, where you simply take a few minutes to breathe or observe nature.
Treat yourself to moments of disconnection by limiting the use of screens in the evening, to allow your mind to find genuine rest.
THE INTROSPECTIVE POWER OF FULL-MOON MEDITATIONS
Lunar cycles subtly influence our energies, and the full moon is often a time when our emotions reach their peak. The November full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, symbolizes preparation andorganization forwinter.
In yoga, it's a good time to practice introspective meditations focused on letting go and gratitude. These practices can be particularly powerful when accompanied by a lunar ritual that marks the importance of this phase.
Imagine yourself in the soft light of the moon, on a mat or simply in a quiet place in your home. Start with a guided meditation, breathing deeply and visualizing a soothing light enveloping you. With each exhalation, imagine releasing unnecessary thoughts and tensions.
After meditation, take out a notebook and write down three things you're grateful for. This practice may seem simple, but it has a profound impact on your state of mind. It helps you recognize the blessings in your life and free yourself from what no longer serves you.
In everyday life, this connection with the moon can also mean moments when you allow yourself to listen to your emotional needs. If you're feeling overloaded, give yourself a break or a nourishing activity, like a nature walk or a relaxing bath.
Lunar cycles remind us that everything in life is in flux, and learning to adapt to these variations can transform our relationship with stress andbalance.
NEW MOONS: A TIME FOR RENEWAL AND INTENTION
Unlike the full moon, which is a moment of culmination, the new moon marks a time of fertile emptiness and renewal.
It's a time to plant intentions for the weeks ahead, and theenergy invites calm and reflection.
In yoga, this lunar phase is ideal for integrating gentle, introspective practices that encourage centering.
A new moon ritual can begin with a restorative posture, such as Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining goddess posture). This position opens the heart and pelvis, symbolizingwelcome and receptivity.
You can then follow with a gentle pranayama, such as alternate breathing(Nadi Shodhana), to balance energies.
Finally, take a few moments to meditate on your aspirations: what do you wish to nourish in your life? Record your reflections in a notebook dedicated to these lunar moments, to observe your progress over the months.
DECEMBER: NEW TRANSITION AND REFLECTIONS TO COME
While November invites us to slow down and refocus, December promises to be a turning point, both reflective and looking ahead to a new cycle.
This month, often marked by festivities and year-end celebrations, offers us the opportunity to contemplate how far we've come while sowing the seeds of intentions for the year ahead. It's also a time when yoga can play a crucial role in maintaining our inner balance in the face of outer turmoil.
December raises questions: how can we welcome this transition with serenity? What practices can help us stay grounded while preparing for an energetic renewal in January?
This month is an invitation to explore rituals that cultivate both gratitude for the past year andopenness to new perspectives. Through yoga, meditation or practices linked to winter light, December can become a month ofbalance andawakening, continuing the link between our practice and natural cycles.
Thanks for this timely post!
HEALTHY MIND, HEALTHY LIFE
Valentine's bio
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VALENTINE
1994, Reunion Island, Mauritius, a Life of the Indian Ocean and Yoga
Since childhood, this intrepid traveler has crisscrossed the globe, leaving her footprints on beaches the world over.Passionate about surfing, scuba diving and sailing, she has made the ocean her playground and source of inspiration.
The freedom of the waves, the serenity of the ocean depths and the wind in his sails have punctuated his journey, always guided by a quest for connection with nature.
Through her explorations, yoga has become more than a practice for her - it's a way of life.
Between morning surf sessions and meditative sunsets, she has found in yoga a perfect balance of strength, fluidity and self-awareness.
Today, she combines her passion for water sports with teaching yoga and is part of the Yogaterrae team, here in France, in the South-West and often remotely :)
This adventuress is a true source of inspiration for anyone who aspires to live in harmony with their body and nature.
Through her stories of incredible experiences, she invites everyone to open up to a world where every wave, every breath and every posture is a celebration of life.
