As the bright, hot days of Summer are lulled into the cooler, shorter days of Autumn, we’re able to witness perhaps one of the best examples of a true seasonal transition. Each season holds a particular energy, and whilst Summer is the peak of extroverted ‘yang’, Autumn sees us moving deeper into a quieter, more contemplative state of ‘yin’.
Read MoreHOW TO NOURISH YOURSELF IN AUTUMN
Close your eyes briefly, take a deep belly breath and think about the feelings and qualities of the Autumn months. You may have thought of golden, orange and crunchy leaves forming a blanket over the grass or the perfect lightweight cardigan that gives just enough warmth for the cooling temperatures. On the other hand, your mind may have taken you straight to your local farmers market to explore the harvest of delicious produce specific to the March, April and May months. If so, you are the same kind of foodie as us!
Read MoreYOGA FOR ALL SEASONS: AUTUMN
Fall is the season of transformation. We can see this all around us in nature: the leaves are falling, the air is changing and we are harvesting an entirely new crop of fruits and vegetables. It is important that we change with the seasons — just as nature does — by adapting our daily habits, yoga practice and food choices. Ironically, it is only through change that was can stay grounded during this shifting season.
Read MoreHow to Stop Your Mind From Wandering During Meditation
The virtues of meditation and mindfulness are being extolled almost everywhere. Research has shown the practice of meditation can have positive benefits on emotional well-being and physical health and has been indicated for managing serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep problems, and chronic pain. Getting people to try meditation, however, can sometimes be a challenge, particularly for people who have very active minds.
Read MoreLife Happens: The Yoga Sutra’s Take on Suffering
The word duhkham, most commonly translated as “suffering,” literally means “tightness or constriction in the chest or the heart area.” If you think about a time you were upset and what that felt like in your body, you’ll probably recognize the feeling. In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali uses duhkham to encompass all the disturbances in our equilibrium, from feelings of disquiet or unhappiness to all-out heartbreak. When you’re upset, angry, anxious, sad, unhappy, or devastated, that’s duhkham.
Read More4 Secrets for Overcoming Fear and Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
Most of the worthwhile things I’ve done in life have really scared me. I’m an introvert, so I don’t thrive speaking in front of large groups—teaching big classes used to scare me so much that I’d feel like I was going to pass out. But I’ve grown to absolutely love it. How? By learning to overcome fear-based thinking patterns. Outside of our comfort zone is where the creative magic really happens! Here are my secrets for overcoming fear and embracing new creative challenges.
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