The Energy of Autumn
Autumn is a season of release and renewal. This guide shares yoga poses, rituals, and herbal wisdom to ground, detox, and align with nature.
As summer fades and the air begins to cool, autumn invites us to slow down, ground, and release. In Ayurveda, this season is linked to Vata dosha—with its light, dry, and mobile qualities—while in Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn relates to the Lung and Large Intestine meridians, the organs of letting go. Both traditions remind us that autumn is the season of release, a time to shed what no longer serves us in order to welcome clarity and renewal.
To support this process, yoga becomes a powerful ally. Postures that focus on the digestive system help us gently detoxify and bring balance to the body. Twisting poses such as Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose) and Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose) massage the abdominal organs, stimulate digestion, and encourage the release of stagnation. Gentle postures like Apanasana (Knees-to-Chest Pose) help reduce bloating, while Malasana (Garland Pose) grounds the body and creates space for elimination. Forward folds, like Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Fold), not only calm the mind but also compress the belly to support internal cleansing. And one of the simplest yet most effective postures, Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose, sitting on the heels), is traditionally practiced after meals to aid digestion. In yoga it directs blood flow toward the stomach and intestines, while in TCM it also supports energy flow along the stomach and spleen meridians.
Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose, sitting on the heels)
As the season changes, our way of eating can evolve to align with nature’s rhythm. While summer often brings us raw, cooling foods, autumn calls for warm, grounding meals. Think of soups, stews, and roasted root vegetables that balance the dry, cool qualities of the season. From the perspective of TCM, nourishing the Spleen and Stomach is key at this time of year, which means avoiding overly cold, raw foods and instead favoring lightly cooked meals with digestive spices such as ginger, cumin, and cinnamon. Establishing simple routines—like eating at regular times and reintroducing steady daily rhythms—also brings balance and stability during autumn.
To further support digestion and warmth, a simple autumn herbal tea (recipe here) can become a daily ritual. A soothing blend of dried ginger root, fennel seeds, cinnamon, and cardamom, steeped for ten minutes, creates a drink that not only grounds the body but also calms the digestive system. Adding cloves or orange peel can bring a touch of autumn flavor, reminding us that even the smallest rituals can connect us deeply to the season.
Evenings are another important moment to care for ourselves as the days shorten. Creating a sleep routine by going to bed before 10 pm aligns us with the natural rhythms of autumn, while gentle practices like journaling, reading, or listening to soft music help calm the nervous system. An Abhyanga self-massage with warm sesame oil, focusing on the abdomen, feet, and joints, nourishes the skin, supports circulation, and soothes Vata energy. Ending the evening with a cup of warm herbal tea completes the ritual, preparing both body and mind for rest.
Autumn, at its heart, teaches us how to release. Through mindful yoga, nourishing foods, herbal remedies, and simple evening rituals, we can align with this season of transition. Small practices like sitting in Vajrasana after meals, sipping a warming tea, or massaging the body with sesame oil remind us that balance is not found in drastic change, but in gentle daily rituals that support body, mind, and spirit. By embracing these ancient practices, we step into autumn with clarity, ease, and vitality.
These are simply tips and practices I share for inspiration. If you have specific health concerns, please consult a qualified professional.
