It is Samhain, the New year in the Celtic calendar. A time when the division between the worlds of physical and spiritual is thin. We enter into this darkest part of the year, the time of year when the underneath is calling. A time of year when the Earth prepares to become still, sleep and embrace itself. All this is done in earnest preparation for growth next year. Think of a little baby spending up to 18 hours a day sleeping, renewing, growing. We can echo Mother Earth and invite more rest into our lives, allowing more time to tap into and develop our inner resources. Can you offer yourself some time for meditation, gentler yoga practices, read by a fireside, eat heartier food, wrap up well and walk in the crisp Winter mornings.
Meditate
Allow your body & mind to rest in this gentler time of year. When we sit still, we allow our bodies to absorb what it needs. Perhaps you can choose this cold season to cultivate a meditation practice. Try to start out with 2 minutes per day. It will be hard at first, take breaks if you need to. See where it goes. If you find it hard to switch your mind off, you may need to take a walk first then sit somewhere perhaps a quiet park bench. Press your feet into the ground, your knees above your ankles. Bring awareness to your breath, count your inhale 1,2,3,4,5 pause and exhale perhaps for a little longer. You should begin to come into the rhythm of your breath and the count fades away, if you get distracted come back to the count.
Swimming this morning at The Forty Foot I was reminded of the splendour of this time, between Autumn equinox and the Winter Solstice. The clocks went back giving us an extra hour in bed, the light is so beautiful at the moment, the sun hangs low in the sky. When we turn to face the sun on the way from the buoys it is as if you are being invited back to shore by a warm hug. I often imagine someone is waiting on shore to hand me a hot cup of tea and a toasty towel. That person may not be there but the welcoming light is.
Practices for November
To honour this time of year there are 2 ways to further your connection to yourself on the joyful path of self discovery. Join me on Sunday November 21st 4-9pm for an afternoon of yoga movement, yoga Nidra, meditation, winter food, music. A space being held for us to come together & celebrate one another, laugh, cry, share (or not). A space to inspire and awaken collective consciousness, a space to let go of what you no longer need. The last few spaces are available for this November gathering, please click here if you wish to join us.
It’s such an honour to teach yoga, to be part of a community of people who are curious about life. If you are curious to know more about Yoga, to discover the many layers of this ancient practice. To know more about the history of yoga, if you have ever thought of doing a teacher training or indeed just fancy finding out more, then join me Wednesday November 17th for a 2 hour workshop via Zoom please click here to join. If you think about yourself this time last year, how have you grown? Join me on this workshop to explore your growth.
Yoga Classes this week –
Tuesday 9am via Zoom Morning Flow
Wednesday 7pm Seapoint
Thursday 7pm via Zoom WindDown Yoga
Saturday 11am Herbert Park with Kirsty
Please click here to join any class, purchase a 30 day or 4 class pass.
Have a wonderful Halloween
Much love
x Chris