I hope this blog post finds you well and that you have been enjoying the summer?
I have enjoyed some quiet time over the summer, lots of lovely family time, the wonderful World Yoga Festival, days out with friends, and we had the most beautiful time in the Lake District – check out the view from our balcony (below) where I did my morning yoga practice, of Cat Bells Mountain and Lake Windemere. I was even joined by a deer early one day; no photo, as I did not want to move and startle her from her important business of chomping on all the flowers in the garden - more interesting to have all your plants eaten by deer rather than slugs like in my garden this year! It has been a refreshing break, I am champing at the proverbial bit to get back to the wonderful world of yoga teaching now!
August moving into September marks the very earliest transitions from the summer into autumn, the time when things come into fruition and our efforts over the year so far are harvested. The time when what is no longer needed is shed, and of course Autumn shows us every year just how beautiful this process can be, however, equally it is a time to draw in the things you need to support you through the darker months, often this is linked into self care, gratitude and a little positive introspection.
Personally I am a fan of Autumn, candles, hot drinks and cosy jumpers - yes please! However, I know that this transition in particular can be a tricky one, it is the most visible seasonal shift and knowing that the dark and the cold is returning isn’t always welcome. In these times of transition it can be really helpful to take a few extra moments to make time for yourself. Perhaps going to sit outside (weather allowing) for a few quiet moments with a hot drink; I love a cinnamon tea in Autumn. Whilst waiting for your drink to cool look around for 1 thing that has changed in the space you are in; perhaps it is berries ripening, maybe the earliest signs of brown or gold on the edges of a leaf, perhaps a dewy spiderweb or a toadstool that has appeared overnight. If it feels good then taking a few deeper belly breaths – inhaling the delicious scent of your hot drink if you like – feeling your belly expand and drop back like a balloon. You could add a count to your breath (4 in, 6 out) so you slightly extend your exhale, just for a few rounds of breath. This lengthened exhale helps regulate the central nervous system which in turn helps to regulate and stabilise, well, everything! Just taking some time to ground yourself in nature and appreciate where we are right now can be so helpful for health and happiness.
Our Yoga classes start again the week of 9th September and run through to the week of 14th October where we stop for a couple of weeks to enjoy the autumn leaves, Halloween, hopefully some crisp autumn sunshine, and, of course the clocks changing so the evenings really close in.
In our yoga this term we will be working with taking in more of what we need and letting go of what we don’t need in order to support us in the transition into the earliest parts of Autumn. This season requires a little bit of extra gentleness and care, a little bit of slowing down and savouring the moment in order to support us as we head into winter.
If you are feeling in need of extra nurture and self care as the seasons begin to shift we have some lovely events to support that: firstly there is a Falling leaves in the Forest themed Sound Bath at Earley Crescent Resource Centre on Friday 27th September – where we will indulge in deep rest whilst enjoy the gorgeous meditative sounds of beautiful Tibetian bowls and other sound healing instruments. You will be surrounded by autumn leaves, fairy lights and candles and be gently guided into relaxation with an autumn forest themed meditation - then just allow the soothing sounds to take you away from the everyday. A truly lovely and effortless way to reduce stress and anxiety and improve your sleep! We will round off with seasonal fruit, a small treat to help ground us and woodland oracle cards before we leave.
And I am very happy to say that September sees the return of our popular Soothing Restorative Sundays! We begin on the Equinox - Sunday 22nd September; nourishing, balancing and restorative yoga with readings and pranayama (breathwork) reflecting the moment of balance that is the Autumn Equinox - this followed by a beautiful autumn themed yoga nidra. This is in-house at Emma’s Yoga Hut (see picture below!) so there are only 3 places available. Restorative sessions are a deeply nourishing practice, using props to support yoga poses held for longer periods – so you get all the benefits of each yoga pose with very little stress on the body, perfect for entering into a state of meaningful, genuine relaxation. An extended guided meditation in the form of yoga nidra then takes you even further into rest. Everything you need is provided, just bring yourself in comfy clothes and fluffy socks with some water. A luxurious way to ensure your Sunday nights sleep is a good sleep. Plus you will take home a small token to remind you of the peace and calm you tapped into during the session that resides within you always.
11th October sees our first ever Friday Relax and Unwind Yin and Nidra evening at Earley Crescent Resource Centre! At this point in the calendar Autumn is very much with us, and so the time for slowing down and caring for yourself in earnest begins. Arrive and be guided through a gentle Yin Yoga sequence whilst surrounded by fairy lights and candles. Using slow, long holds Yin Yoga is a restful practice that deeply stretches and soothes the body, releasing tension from deep within muscles, joints and fascia. This session is working with our theme of taking in what we need and letting go of what we don't during autumn. This will be followed by a beautiful extended relaxation in the form of a yoga nidra (also known as yogic sleep). We finish with home made cookies and herbal teas, you can expect to feel blissfully relaxed by the end of the session, the perfect way to start the weekend! Suitable for beginners.
As always, you can go to the classes and events section of the website to book yourself onto anything that you feel like would benefit your wellbeing as we greet Autumn!
I am very much looking forward to seeing you again very soon!
With love,
Emma xx
(Emma runs Emma’s Yoga Hut in Earley. A tiny garden studio for small group yoga tuition. She is a yoga student and yoga teacher and has practiced yoga for nearly 30 years. She trained with the Traditional Yoga Association right here in Reading between 2016 and 2018 to achieve her 500 hour yoga teaching accreditation. She has additional teaching qualifications in Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra. She is an accredited Sound Bath Facilitator and specialises in crystal singing bowls. She teaches Chair Yoga classes at local community centres where there is a regular coffee and a chat after class. She is passionate about getting the beautiful benefits of yoga out to as many people as possible, Emma tries her best to practice yoga every day, which she loves in Autumn when she can put on a big fluffy jumper and practice yoga in the autumn sunshine!)
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