I've Been "So Lost"

In Kenya, when someone has not seen you in a long while, they often say “you’ve been so lost.” I love that saying because when I “disappear” from connecting with others, I often feel lost or adrift. I am not my usual positive, action-oriented self and that is tough. ☹

• When I go silent, I am usually digging deep and trying to find my footing in a changing environment. I’m looking for solid ground to plant my feet so I can continue to grow and thrive. I try to remind myself that transitions are always hard and there is no set time for how long that resettling should take.

  
  

  

  
  

Often these periods coincide with major life changes, like moving across the globe or changing jobs, but not always. Sometimes it is not our season in life but the actual change of seasons that prompts us towards a need to change our daily habits. The late autumn transition into winter can often prompt a sad or unrooted feeling.

• I often feel a bit adrift in late fall, like a tree swaying in the wind after shedding its leaves but unable to accept the coming winter. November is particularly tough, when the days get shorter, cloudy weather dominates, and temperatures dip, sinking my mood along with it.

After years of experiencing these unsettling feelings, I have begun to listen to my body when the weather gets colder, knowing that adjusting my habits and routines will bring some peace and grounding during unsettling times. This is when I turn to yin yoga, ayurveda, and meditation.

• Gone are the active vinyasa yoga classes, replaced by more gentle yoga, including yin and restorative yoga. Mat-based Pilates is also very grounding, and a standing barre practice provides just enough movement to boost my energy. (I love the FREE app FitOn!)

  
  

• Fall and winter are also when I re-engage with Ayurvedic nutrition principles, focusing on warm, wet foods that nourish the body and mind. Now is the time for hearty stews and soups, with plenty of root vegetables, and warm drinks. Leave cold drinks and raw foods (think smoothies and salads) for late spring and summer.

  
  

• Starting the day with meditation helps my whole body and mind prepare to have a great day. The days I do my Insight Timer meditation first thing in the morning with my legs up the wall (a yoga pose) are my best days! I then transition to other yin poses, such as butterfly, straddle and pigeon against the wall.

Yin yoga is great this time of year because you hold the poses longer and most poses are done low on the mat, providing even more grounding and relaxation. Yin practices teach us to pay attention to what our bodies need during each season.

• Autumn and winter are windy, dry, and cold. Winter is a great time for a slower pace of life, less active movement, and less socializing. Staying cozy warm inside reading a good book or watching your favorite sports is a great way to pass the time and nourish your spirit.

  
  

• Yin yoga poses for autumn and winter focus on contracting and drawing energy downwards. The poses include forward bends, back bends, twists, and arm extensions. I find that a grounding, calming, yin practice really feels like the best way to calm the mind and body.

  
  

Ayurveda, an ancient holistic medicine system and yoga’s sister science, teaches us that seasonal transitions are good times to adjust our daily habits, particularly regarding what we eat. Ayurveda sees digestion as the root of health. Winter calls for more warming, grounding, and hydrating foods, such as stews and soups, to counteract the cold, dry nature of the season.

• Winter is also a great time for introspection and quiet energy. It is a time to avoid overworking or over-scheduling and to allow more time for relaxation and inner peace. It’s also a great time for self-care, like massages and warm baths and meditation.

  
  

• Don’t these ayurvedic principles of the season just make sense? That is what I love so much about ayurveda: it reminds us of what our body instinctively knows. Our body knows what it needs to stay healthy and nudges us to follow healthy practices. I hope to write more about ayurvedic principles of health throughout the seasons of the year.

Hopefully, some of you will find these practices useful, particularly during the late fall/winter transition.

Reach out to me at inspirebyjill@gmail.com or here on this website to work together on identifying ways to make the seasonal transitions easier. You don't have to suffer alone!!