The big squeeze – Autumn 2011
When Summer starts to fade, so too often, does our happy disposition!
As the days get cooler and the breeze shifts from balmy to blistery, our first reaction can often be one of denial… “If I just keep wearing my thongs then the beach gods will see and grant us another sun shiny day!” We resent having to say goodbye to the warm sand and salty sunsets we have enjoyed over the festive season because it means putting on the woollies and letting go of all the celebration, excitement and passion that IS Summer. Nobody really likes to move inward and away from all that warmth, but the beauty about aligning with seasonal energy, is that you will find your internal warmth and fire and begin to even relish the cooler months ahead.
Everything in life is cyclic. Change is the only constant, what goes up must come down, all good things must come to an end, we all know the cliches. Whether we acknowledge these truths or not, by continuing to resist the natural flow of life, we remain enslaved to old habits and thought patterns that hinder our natural instinct to grow and evolve.
Instead we find ourselves stuck, stagnant, creatures of habit, in different degrees of separation. Un-natural. Un-comfortable. Un as opposed to Om. And that in the long run is not only unhealthy for our brains, bodies and behaviours, but it doesn’t encourage an aware and compassionate community where people are prepared to embrace change and support one another towards healthy lifestyle choices. If we can align ourselves with the seasons then we have a better chance of creating lasting health which will not only make us nicer to be around but will also create awareness of the beauty and delicacy of Nature and how everything that we do (or don’t do) has impact and consequence. From the wise perspective of the ancient system of Traditional Chinese Medicine, not only is Nature in a constant flow of inter-changing energies, but so are we. Our bodies, minds and spiritual selves are governed by particular meridians that influence the health and function of each organ, emotion, even each thought. At particular times of the day and night each of these energies move between a restful and more active state, which is where our natural body clock comes in. Our natural body clock, or rather, the way we ‘tick’ in syncronicity with the rhythm of the earth, ebbs and flows without our conscious control. It’s when we ‘un-plug’ ourselves from that support that we experience dis-harmony and dis-ease on different levels of our being.
Have you ever had an epiphany where suddenly everything appeared clearer?
Maybe it was whilst sorting through old memorabilia buried down the back of the garage that you finally got some clarity about the past or perhaps it was during a lively yoga class where your shaggy Downward Dog suddenly morphed into Adho Mukha Svanasana for the first time, and in that moment, you could stretch and expand excitedly beyond your previous capabilities. Wherever it was, it was an awakening, and many of us have experienced these ‘insights’ or ‘glimpses’ at some point in our lives. It’s what we do with them that counts.
The season and energy of Autumn governs these moments because it calls us to look at our ‘stuff’, to sift through the good AND the bad with maximum focus and minimal attachment. If we can be brave enough to squeeze ‘n ‘release what no longer serves us, we can create space and clarity and move forward in our lives with the real sense of peace that closure brings. This is a challenge for many because as a species, we like to hold on to our stuff, re-hash it amongst friends and family and then paste it on facebook to get everyone else’s opinions about it.
This is tiring though yes?, not to mention mentally draining, emotionally depressing and most likely won’t win you any prizes for ‘most popular and inspiring’. We can lose our enthusiasm, trust, even our positive attitude, when we lose connection to our ability to draw in the good stuff and push out the old stuff and it all starts with the quality of our lungs and bowels, believe it or not. If your intestines can’t absorb, process, digest and eliminate, you can’t function properly on any level. You become stagnant from the inside out, stubborn, stuck and congested and boring to others because you appear to have missed the fun bus. You’ll feel cranky, at yourself and others, but often not know exactly why and you’ll pass judgement on everything in life because of the sense of futility in your own. Not an empowering space to be in. If you can’t breathe deeply enough to draw the oxygen into your lungs needed to activate your brain, then your mind can’t function effectively, you can’t make clear decisions, you then make inappropriate choices that don’t support or energise you, you don’t eat well to fuel your body and brain with nutrients and you’ll find yourself struggling to get out of bed because you’re so bogged down.
“Too hard basket” will become your mantra.
* Recent scientific research has actually made the connection between Depression and Colon health, citing that healthy brain function is supported by strong digestive and intestinal function because it increases our ability to effectively absorb nutrients and eliminate toxicity. When the chemical balance in the brain is altered because of bad quality blood, the rest of the body deteriorates which can lead to heart problems, weakened bones and poor immunity, all of which are necessary for a healthy, happy, natural state of body and mind. When you think about all the toxins and additives we ingest from our foods, the pollutants found in our water and the build up of rubbish in our environments, even the chemicals infused into the plastic toys our children play with, it’s no wonder we are experiencing increases in generational dis-ease and imbalance.
Don’t get scared though… get cleansing! Wouldn’t it be nice if you could take back your power and your health quickly and easily, just by watching what you eat and practicing yoga? It can be that simple.
Your Lung energy is at it’s strongest between 3am – 5am which is why dawn is the best time to get up and practice meditation, breathing and/or yoga. If you find that you often wake at this time either coughing, feeling asthmatic or just generally distracted by negative and sad thoughts from restless sleep and dream patterns, then your lungs may need some attention.
Try this pose to build your Lung chi: Nakrasana variation - Crocodile
Lay on your belly with hands beside your chest, toes tucked and feet close together. Squeeze your elbows into your ribs and pull up on pelvic floor as you walk toes to your hips to lift thighs off the mat. Keep chin tucked in to lengthen back of neck, gaze soft but purposeful. Exhale and contract everything to literally ‘levitate’ off the mat. Hover till the end of that breath then float down and rest before repeating twice more. Rest after with head to one side, heels turned out and feel the breath being pulled into your body.
Great to build mental and sexual stamina and developing the Heart-Lung connection.
Your Colon energy is at it’s peak between 5am – 7am when the body is primed to eliminate so you can feel energised and positive about starting the day. If you are not a morning person and prefer to huddle under the doona with fingers glued to the snooze button, do you also have a tendency to avoid letting go of issues, people or situations that have disappointed you in the past??
Try this pose to build your Colon chi: Upavistha Konasana variation – Wide leg Hara lifts
Sit with legs wide and feet dorsi-flexed (toes pulled back), one hand in front of your pelvis and one behind, palms flat. Lengthen up through spine and engage leg muscles and pelvic floor (exhale and contract/lift). Exhale and squeeze deeply into the lower belly to lift your buttocks off the mat… you may not lift far (or at all!) but it doesn’t matter! It’s the squeeze/contraction sensation you need to engage to tone and ignite the Colon. Repeat a few times till you feel a sense of power and pressure in your belly (and arms) then rest in Savasana and focus on drawing chi into your base and belly with each inhale, and surrendering any stagnant or old thoughts/feelings on a lengthened, quiet exhale.
Great pose for building intestinal fortitude, digestive power and the ability to flow with the changes life presents.
Your body, mind and emotions are inextricably linked. What you hold onto in your mind and heart, you will also hold onto in your body. Life will always give us opportunities to resolve and evolve if we can just take that first brave step. Or that first deep breath.
Have a think about what you can squeeze out this Autumn, what you can let go of, in this moment now, that could create more freedom or space in your head, your heart or your home. Say goodbye to Summer graciously, lighten your load, invite less into your belly so you feel hunger appropriately rather than just eating out of habit and allow yourself to sit in the stillness this brings. Prepare for the coming gifts of the cooler seasons – clarity of mind, physical lightness and a sense of calm and introspection – not to mention less colds and flu because your gut is happily humming along!
Consider adding some of these foods to support your Lungs and Intestines as well as help ground and nourish your mind:
Pumpkin, carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, winter squash, spinach, parsley, kale, turnip, onion,
garlic, ginger, daikon, radish, pickles, adzuki beans, millet, barley, brown rice, fennel, kuzu
(Japanese arrowroot – clears and tones lungs/colon), watercress, seaweeds (excellent to
regenerate mucous membranes) ie kombu/arame/wakame.
Flaxseed oil (use in smoothies or add to foods), fenugreek spice.
Stewed apples and pears (peeled) with brown rice congee/porridge.
Marshmallow tea, raspberry leaf tea, green tea.
Majority of diet should be SIMPLE – grains, legumes, fruit, vegetables, sprouts.
Remember not to starve yourself or make radical changes to your current diet, especially if you have diabetes, blood pressure or any other chronic health issues. It’s best to slowly introduce nurturing foods so your blood and immune strength build gradually and always run things by your GP or Natropath to make sure you are supported as best as possible.
If you’re keen to take your yoga experiences to a deeper level, we run seasonal Detox workshops and week-long intensives (in Hatha, Iyengar and Ki Yoga) at Breathing Space that will educate, inspire and support you through the changes you are wanting to make. All programs are suitable and safe for all ages and levels of experience, particularly those wanting to address long standing weight and metabolism concerns and for those with recurring digestive, hormonal or breathing imbalances ie: IBS, PMT, asthma and allergies.
Check the Intensives and Workshops pages for upcoming events and dates.
Happy squeezing!
Namaste
* all articles/content on this site is copyright to breathingspaceyoga and denby sheather 2010/2011.
