Category: Beautiful Rituals

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Gratitude @ Sunset reciting Loving Kindness Chants

May I be safe
May I be healthy
May I be happy
May I be at ease
May I be filled with loving-kindness
May I be peaceful

It’s time of gathering – family – friends – abundance – harvest – and at the same time, for many, it’s also time of deep reflection.  I know many have suffered a loss; I know many are suffering right now; so … I am lucky enough to worry more about how to get the time to go to the gym and a yoga studio to exercise and practice to better myself, to re-energize as Thanksgiving suppers have a tendency to turn us into sloths – but all the more – we need to take the time to take care of ourselves inside out.  In the hassle and bustle of the holiday season,  onslaught of social obligations and commitments, we need to take the time, carve out the time to be with nature and be on our mat for that meaningful soulful time to breathe and balance and strengthen not only our muscles but our resolve. Resolute in our resolve for strengthening our relationships, for disciplined self-care regimen, at this especially vulnerable time. Then, we can make space to really be present with each person we hold dear and precious in our lives. To really savor and truly appreciate this present moment, imbued in the golden Autumn light.

21 days until Winter Solstice.  Have you Yin-Yanged for wellness today?

Are you feeling whole and strong today?  Or are you feeling a bit sad, dull, sluggish or fragmented – if so, why?  And what would help you feel whole and strong again?

What if I said, soften your heart and be gentle with your words …

May you be safe
May you be healthy
May you be happy
May you be at ease
May you be filled with loving-kindness
May you be peaceful

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Autumn Sunset

 

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Beautiful Places Beautiful Rituals Healthy Living Yoga

Autumn Yin Yoga

is a practice infused with golden undertones – not the sunny yellow gold of the summer heat but that coffee-orange-red-golden shades of the leaves turning colors and tables abundant with squash, lotus, pumpkins and all the nourishment of root vegetables  – it’s metallic in the 5-elements theory of the Universe and Kampo medicine.  In Japanese/Chinese character, Autumn 秋 is elementally 金 while translated Metal, really the literal translation is GOLD not just any metal but you see, the significance is that it’s GOLD. Sprawled on this earth, giving into gravity, melting like golden honey … In it’s richness and warmth lies its value  … It’s a precious golden time for our body and mind to properly prepare for the winter months.

From Japanese/Chinese meridian standpoint is that of a yin yang pair of lungs (yin) and large intestine (yang) we focus on most. While actual acupuncture treatment would serve well, to complement or/and to self administer, yin sequencing is super delicious- done mindfully at sunset and dawn, even more effective…at twilight as we transition from Yang of a day into the Yin phase of dark night slowly unfolding … darkness envelopes our evenings earlier as day light savings clock readjusts to this spicy season of … Harvest.  Spring Forward … Autumn fall back as we regain one hour more … time we can devote to yoga and other mindfulness practices of self-care filled with compassion and self-listening.  Let the golden hues slowly seep into our connective tissues without over-loading the joints.  Slow, deep and yet, fully supported to create the ultimate experience of being so … grounded.  I love this practice.