Avalon Yoga School

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Autumn at Avalon YOGA School

The Chinese symbol of the Metal element more properly translated as 'gold' points to the precious treasures that exists within all of us. The season of Autumn offers up a time of reorganization and direction after the chaos, heat and headiness of the Summer months, we slow down and gather inwards and downwards, following the Autumn pattern of descent and decay. We are storing up food, fuel and warm clothing as well as studying and planning for the approach of winters stillness. We journey down into our depths, where one finds Metal

Nature, having reached its Summer peak, now turns its face from abundant growth and fullness and begins to embrace the season of emptiness and letting go - leaves wither and yellow, fruit falls, seeds dry, the sap moves down towards the roots and the sky turns silver grey above as the days once again shorten.

This season contains the potency of the meridians of the Lungs and Large Intestine and is said to give rise to our borders and boundaries and our capacity for exchange. The Lungs, being the only organ open to the outside world represent our established individual identity and simultaneously our coexistance within the shared space of the world we inhabit. With every in-breath we are offered the opportunity to connect with our environment, implying an ability to take in new experiences across our borders, and to be open to, and take part in the dance of exchange in life.  Every out - breath holds the power of release of excess; of the physical tensions of the muscles and bones, the busy thoughts of an active mind or the sorrows and pains of the heart. Whether we habitually shallow breath, hold our breath or struggle for a smooth, even one, it is all reflective of the deeper psychological processes of taking in and letting go. 

The other half of the this vital dance is the job done by the Large Intestine, the 'drainer of the dregs' whose job it is to release all of which we no longer need, representing our ability to let go and so generate the necessary space required for evolution and change in life. 

If these boundaries of Lung and Large Intestine are so tightly held that nothing eneters or leaves we become overfull, stagnant and stuck. Habitual, and often negative patterns of living, even thoughts and emotions can become so entrenched, so static that we lose the confidance and understanding of how to make the change. The Lungs and the Large Intestine work together to engage us with lifes vitality and preciousness, to bring shiny new breath into our lives and to invigorate and inspire. 

So Lungs both differentiate us and connect us with our environment via thier pathways and correspondances in the chest, arms and upper back. Traced thru the hips and legs, the Large Intestine, Lungs energetic and moving partner, ensures that we have enough space and strength to dance with this flow of life. Thru Seasonal yoga practice we are working with the shoulders, chest, upper back, hips and waist to move and tonify this potency, we come to the breath, particularly the exhalation, to release and let go so that we may make space for, and connect with, the vitality and energy of the next incoming wave of life. Metal enables us to clear the debris, and to reveal the beauty, to find whats precious and shiny, like gold. 

Avalon YOGA School offers a deep seasonal practice of reflection, adjustment and refinement thru asana practice and philosophical principals. An Autumn practice, strengthens the Lungs and offers up resistance to many of the cold and flu's of the season and keeps the health, and the spirits gently high and in harmony with nature all about us. Simple.  

Classes are available for beginners and advanced students alike, injury and remedial sessions are available as well as prenatal and kids specialities. 

Breathe in :Let 
Breath out: Go

See you on the mat