As autumn deepens in the month of November, the qualities of yin get stronger. Yin energy moves inward and down in contrast to yang energy that moves outward and up. Ideally, we can harmonize our personal energy field with the greater one of the natural world for optimal health of body, mind, and spirit. This is the season of condensing and conserving, of adding moisture and warmth. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the organs associated with autumn are the lungs and the large intestine, both major detoxifying systems in the body. Grief and attachment are issues associated with the lungs. Hence, the melancholy mood that many people feel at this time is natural!

Here are some ideas for aligning and adjusting your lifestyle to the season: 1) incorporate more restorative and yin classes into your yoga routine to remove energy blocks and encourage lubrication of the connective tissues which are already dry in nature; 2) unclutter and organize your living or work space; 3) include more root vegetables and warm moist foods into your diet; 4) practice yogic breathing if you have a hard time letting go of people or of the past as it may be a sign of imbalance in the lungs.

Practice seeking your self-worth from discovery of what is inside: your values, beliefs, and spirituality as you let go of negative energy at this time. Express gratitude for the essence of who you are and for what is truly meaningful in your life.

November updates:

• New monthly Saturday class at The Downing Museum. This class brings new meaning to “studio space” by providing a Basics-level yoga class in the main gallery at The Downing Museum! The first class meets on Sat., Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. To ensure that we don’t over-crowd the gallery, we are taking advance registration–please go to https://tinyurl.com/yoga-themuseum to complete the brief online form.
• Flow class at 6 a.m. on Wednesdays. Join Cassandra as she continues to offer an early-morning class that provides “a gentle flow at sunrise to get the day started with gratitude and grace.”
• Monthly talk and meditation session. Juanita will host this session on Fri., Nov. 18, at 6:45 p.m. As always, there is no charge for this informal gathering, which provides an opportunity to ask questions about and discuss meditation and to experience a short meditation.
• Thanksgiving class at 9 a.m. As is traditional for holidays at 4yoga, we will offer a mixed-level class at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24). Join Cassandra for this class, which will be accessible to students at all levels. The rest of the holiday weekend schedule remains the same.

For a full list of November classes, please see the the calendar page or a hard copy available at The Pots Place. We also post updates each morning on our Facebook page, should you find it convenient to keep up with us there.

Accessing studio after class has begun: Remember that even if you are running late
when the shop downstairs is closed, you can still join us for class. If the front door is locked, come to the back door of The Pots Place (look for the blue building) and ring the buzzer. The teacher will then unlock the door remotely for you to enter through the pottery studio.

Come practice in this beautiful studio!