September, a time to harvest and release

You may have already started to notice the subtleties…the butterflies, the climate fluctuations (it’s finally raining in Texas!), the intriguing skies, the leaves falling, and the cravings growing inside us. This month of September we celebrate the Autumn Equinox, it takes place on Saturday the 22nd. Around this day, the day and night start sharing equal time. For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere we will begin to experience longer periods of darkness, a time to go within and to root the intentions that will bloom in the spring. This change presents as an opportunity to get in touch with nature and observe all its rhythms around us and within. Paying close attention to nature we get to appreciate the reflection of the environment in ourselves. We are part of those bigger rhythms, you don’t have to be an “al naturale” human to experience them, they are available to all of us. 

Leaving behind the months of summer…where we have been looking for the lightness of the moment. Where we tend to move and travel, where we glow (sweat would be a better description for many of us) with the rays of sun, where we crave water filled fruits and veggies; and constantly try to cool down the inner and outside fires with something light and refreshing. But at this point we feel the heat exhaustion and the need to ground ourselves, to nourish our homes, to re-establish routines, and cultivate the essentials. We are looking to harvest, to be present but un-consciously and innately foreseeing the “colder” and more introspective season of winter. It is in this season we move away from being everywhere, to feeling the earth beneath our feet. Is a time to harvest our gifts and let go all that is incongruent with our true-self or who we want to express. Are you grounded yet? 

Here are a few ways to know that a grounding practice will be helpful for you: 

• Have you been feeling lost, even when you know where you are and have a plan?
• A feeling of intense emptiness, and you are missing your WHY
• Frequently longing for something, without knowing what it is
• Do you find yourself setting out to do one thing, but end up doing something else? 
• Lacking energy, even when you’re getting enough sleep
• Feeling “spaced out” or running on auto-pilot
• Feeling lonely, even when surrounded by people
• General sense of apathy in life, you don’t care about anything or take pride in anything

In times where there is so much noise around us, disconnection from ourselves can easily occur. So what can we do to connect, listen, harvest, and release the old???

Here are a few simple practices to ignite the autumn rhythms and leave behind what doesn’t serve us. 

1.) Visualize what Energy state you want to manifest during this period and write a note to yourself to read each morning, to help you revive that Energy state. If the first thing you do in the mornings is get on your phone, set an alarm with that reminder on it. If this is the case #5 is suggested. 
 
2.)  Be where your feet are. Find a quiet space (bathroom can be your best option if you have kids, whatever works) and stand up with your eyes closed, or open if balance is an issue. Focus your attention in experiencing your feet in the ground and visualize yourself as an Oak tree. Feel the vibration from your bare feet and concentrate on bringing your breath from your feet up (yes, it is possible, just try it!). When you reach the heart area, fill your heart with gratitude for the present moment and then raise your arms like growing branches as you visualize the gratitude expanding from within you. Experience the power of your breath and being present with yourself. Stay there as long as you wish or at a minimum of three long breaths into the nose, out of the mouth. *Bonus points: if you do this barefoot on the ground/soil/grass; this practice is often referred as earthing. There is lots of research regarding this practice and many people choose to have it as a daily routine.

3.) Do a cleanse, let go of the unhealthy choices you have been reaching to out of convenience or emotional comfort. Instead, choose to nourish your body with nutrient dense food. If this does not come easy, reach out and find someone that can help. In the mean time focus on ‘whole’ foods and avoid anything with packaging as a general rule. Engaging in a cleanse can bring deep insights in ourselves and our relationship with food. Not to mention all the improvements in our chemistry that will not disappoint.

4.) Clear your space of the things that don’t work for you anymore or haven’t worked in the last year. A cluttered space can translate to a cluttered mind. Set up a clothes swap with some friends or neighbors. ***We are hosting an in office clothes swap at the end of this month if you want to join us.

5.) Write a list of the patterns, things, people, or behaviors you want to let go and destroy them symbolically; don’t make it only about letting go, also focus in what new perspectives you would like to cultivate instead. This is a great opportunity to gather some friends and join forces saying goodbye to the old in form of a ritual.

6.) Through the smell… use warming scents in candles, incense, herbs or essential oils. Some of my favorites are: Frankincense, vetiver, ginger, cinnamon, Yatra Natural incense (you can find it at Del Sol Yoga in Austin, TX), sage or palo santo. If you are not familiar with this indulge yourself in getting to know them and choose the one that feels right to you. 

7.) Take a cold bath or shower. You will be quickly grounded in your body, guaranteed.

8.) Explore a forgotten body part. It might sound crazy but I have so many clients that present with pain in different areas of their bodies, and most of the time they haven’t mindfully touched the area. Paraphrasing Dr. Donny Epstein: to heal the body you have to feel it first. Pick an area, ex. the neck(scan for bones and muscles), ear lobes, your belly. Give it all your attention and explore it with curiosity, our bodies are full of wisdom! 

9.) Slow down your practice, however you move your body, either dancing, lifting weights, running, yoga, etc… choose to slow down your practice and pay attention to your breath and movements. If you are not actively practicing, find a new movement class as Tai-chi, Kundalini, or restorative yoga. Perhaps a tango class? Ease into your practice and increase your presence. 

10.) Explore the possibilities of more awareness. From my personal experience I can recommend Network Spinal care and Somato-Respiratory Integration breath work, since they have expanded my mind and body in an exponential way. These are just two ways of many that help expand your connection to yourself and the environment. Ask us if you are curious for MORE.

Happy grounding season, HUMMMMMM! Oh yeah, and then there’s the music….that deserves a #11.) MUSIC/SOUND/VIBRATIONS/DRUMS Let’s get loud! HMMMMMMM! Do this sound while having the palm of your hand in your chest. 

Wishing that as you begin to practice these steps, whatever is not serving you or congruent with your wild-self, falls away like the leaves of the trees this season. Lets bring those changing colors to LIFE! 

Peace & Joy,
Dr. Wilmayra