Autumn is my favourite time of year at home, but it's a very different feeling in Abu Dhabi. Instead of being tinged with a sense of gloom as the nights draw in, here everyone is excited about the temperature becoming more manageable and busy planning for weekends of barbecues and trips to the beach. No scarf and tasteful knits for me this year but in terms of yoga here's how I will be bringing a little bit if autumn into my life.
Body: The change of seasons brings lots of nasty bugs and viruses and we need to make sure our lymphatic system is working well to protect ourselves. Stimulate the body by dry body brushing every morning and then rub a natural body oil or lotion into damp skin. Have a massage or burn essential oils like thyme, eucalyptus, pine and rosemary to stimulate and strengthen the lungs.
Mind: Autumn is a time for mental clarity. Get rid of things, thoughts and people that are sources of negativity and stick to a daily routine in your diet, exercise and life to give yourself focus and structure. Autumn is a great time of year to try meditation, so find 5 minutes each day to sit peacefully and mindfully. Something as simple as counting your breath can bring an amazing feeling of peace and clarity.
Diet: Add ginger, turmeric and garlic to dishes to boost the immune system. Roasted root vegetables with a whole grain like bulgar wheat or quinoa make a perfect autumn meal. Avoid dairy and foods like bananas and oranges which can clog up the respiratory system. This can be especially vulnerable here where we swing from a hot dusty environment to air conditioned germ-infested coolness all of the time.
Practice: Start to slow things down and lead all postures with the breath, focusing on flowing with each inhale and exhale. The meridians for the lung and large intestine run up and down the arms and across the shoulders, so postures should work these areas. Try the arm movement 'drawing the bow' in conjunction with the breath to stimulate these energy channels. Asanas should strengthen and protect the body, so build the following postures into your practice: Utkatasana (chair), bhujangasana (cobra), Virabhadrasana 1 and 3 (warrior 1 & 3), Ardha chandrasana (half moon), Upavista Konasana & Supta Konasana (seated & supine angle pose), Halasana (plough) and Salamba Sarvangasana (shoulder stand), Salabhasana (locust). Surya Namaskara B (sun salutation B) would therefore be the perfect autumn warm up. You can see a little video clip of me practising this on my Facebook page.
Pranayama (breath work) is also extremely beneficial, so try to incorporate 5 minutes of Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) into your daily practice to balance energy in the body and find clarity.
Autumn information:
Dates: 21st October - 20th December
Colour: metallic greys and silver.
Element: metal
Organs: lungs and large intestine.
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