There’s something about the end of summer shift and the start of fall that makes us want to start over. Maybe it’s the crispness that returns to the air, the beautifully-changing leaves, or the familiar rhythm of routine that we are so accustomed to. September just feels like a reset button and we are thrown into a whirlwind thinking about goals, schedules, and the things we want to change.
We tell ourselves this is the season to get back on track. We want to wake up earlier, eat better, exercise more, and become organized. Our brains almost have us convinced that we will finally stick to that routine we’ve been avoiding. But what if fall doesn’t have to be a fresh start, what if, instead, it can be a gentle return?
Yoga Will Always Be
As we slip into a cooler time of year, we find ourselves reminiscing about summer and recognizing the happy memories and fun adventures. We cherish those things but also realize they have pulled us out of our usual routine. Perhaps your yoga practice slowed as you traveled and explored, or you skipped the mat for a week to spend extra time with family or to take a break. All of that is okay; practicing yoga isn’t something you have to start over every time life gets busy, you simply return.
One of the most beautiful things about yoga is that there is no scorecard keeping or tape measurements of flexibility. You roll out your mat, take a breath, and notice how your mind, body and soul feel today, and you begin from there. Whether you’ve joined us each week or stopped in periodically, we are so happy to have you join us, and no matter how packed your schedule is, yoga will always be.
A Different Kind of Energy
This time of year, we find ourselves eyeing nature to patiently await its changes. But have you ever considered this cycle of growth is a clever vision of return? The trees don’t suddenly decide they need to become something different, they aren’t hanging onto the summer breeze, they respond to the season that they’re in. There is something incredibly grounding about watching that happen and we can learn to see it in ourselves, too.
We spend so much of our lives being encouraged to grow, improve, achieve, and become more than we currently are. But fall offers a different message if we tune in to listen. In yoga and Ayurveda, fall is Vata season - a time of transition, cooling, and increased energy. That doesn’t always mean a radical overhaul, but instead, a delicate opportunity to slow down and savor.
Things we should remind ourselves are, we can let go of things that no longer suit us, we can make room. You can also absolutely return to the things that make you feel most like yourself, and if you’re like us, that moment of profound discovery happens on the mat.
A Gentle Return
While you may feel pressure to become a “better” version of you, hold tight, you don’t need to reach far, you just need to be you! Be the you who feels calm after a few minutes of mindful breathing, be the you who sleeps better after a class with us, be the you who feels stronger after moving your body, and of course, be the amazing you who surrenders all expectations and steps into our studio confidently and is ready to gently return.
If you’ve been away from our studio, let this be your invitation back. Not because you need to get back in shape or because you missed your routine; come back because your body remembers what it feels like to move and because your breath feels a little deeper when you take a moment to slow down. Sometimes you need somewhere to put down the weight you’ve been carrying, and you know it feels good to be here.
So, as September begins and the world around you starts encouraging you to transform into a new, uncharted version, remember that you don’t need to reinvent yourself, you can simply be. Arrive, move gently, listen, breathe, cherish, and gently return.
We look forward to having you in the studio once again! You can find a list of our fall classes our website at www.rootsyogamindbody.com. Namaste🧘
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