Embracing Autumn...

Embracing Autumn: Adjusting Mind, Body, and Spirit to Seasonal Change

As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, autumn invites us to slow down and align ourselves with nature’s rhythm.

Seasonal living means tuning into these subtle shifts and adjusting our lifestyles to support balance in body, mind, and spirit.

Autumn is a time of transition—of letting go, grounding, and preparing for the stillness of winter.

The cooler temperatures and shorter days can impact our energy levels and immunity.

This is the season to focus on warmth and nourishment.

Layer your clothing, keep your home cosy, and prioritize rest where possible.

Gentle but consistent movement, like walking outdoors or practicing Yoga, helps keep circulation strong and prevents stiffness as the body adapts to the chill.

Autumn often stirs emotions of change and reflection. Just as trees shed their leaves, we can release what no longer serves us.

Journaling, mindfulness practices, meditation or creative outlets can help process emotions and maintain mental clarity.

It’s also common to feel a dip in mood as daylight lessens—creating intentional moments of joy, connecting with loved ones, and seeking natural light can all be uplifting practices.

Autumn can be deeply symbolic: a reminder of cycles, impermanence, and the beauty of letting go.

Spiritually, it calls for grounding rituals. Yoga, daily meditation, gratitude practices, or spending quiet time in nature can foster a sense of peace and alignment with the season’s energy.

Ways to Stay Well in Autumn

• Maintain a regular sleep routine to sync with earlier sunsets.

• Hydrate and moisturise to counteract dry air.

• Take walks in nature to absorb the vibrant colors and fresh air.

• Strengthen immunity with herbal teas, vitamin-rich foods, and warm broths.

Yoga and Meditation for Autumn

Autumn aligns with grounding and balancing practices in Yoga.

SLOW FLOW and mindful YIN (STRETCH) practices are lovely for Autumn, as we slow down and energy turns inwards.

In contrast, balance with heat building practices such as FLOW and ENERGISE. Plus, twice a week we have WARM YOGA in the studio!

Meditation in Autumn can centre around gratitude, mindfulness, and visualization—imagining releasing old energies like falling leaves, making space for renewal, and new beginnings.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Five Element Theory, Autumn is connected to the lungs and large intestine. Deep breathing practices and supporting the respiratory system are important, and allowing ourselves to emotionally and mentally release what no longer serves us will feel beneficial.

Foods for Autumn

Autumn calls for hearty, warming foods that nourish deeply. Root vegetables, squashes, pumpkins, apples, pears, and warming spices like cinnamon and ginger align beautifully with the season.

Soups, stews, and baked dishes provide comfort and grounding energy.

Herbal teas such as chai, ginger, or rooibos support digestion and immunity.

Below we have linked a few Autumn recipes for you to try out and enjoy!

Butternut squash soup.

Vegetarian lentil cottage pie.

Baked apples.

Living seasonally is an act of harmony with nature, and can help us to maintain and improve physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

In the Western world we are often very disconnected from nature, and in essence ourselves.

Yoga Borne offers special seasonal and lunar inspired workshops and experiences for you to enjoy and rekindle this connection.

We have some wonderful offerings coming up in October.

Just click the link to find out more info and book!

Movement is Medicine / Friday 3rd / 7:30pm

Women Gather: Hunters Moon Edition / Tuesday 7th / 8pm

Reiki Healing Experience / Sun 19th / 1pm

Reiki Healing Experience / Sun 19th / 2:30pm

Crystal Bowl Sound Healing: Autumn / Sun 19th / 6pm

Slowdown Sunday: Autumn / Sun 26th / 6pm

Yoga Nidra (in studio) / Sun 26th / 7:30pm

Plus, the start of November brings a special workshop which has been a staple for the past few years, Samhain ( Halloween). This will be a wonderful afternoon of ritual and rest, with an optional creative activity. Find out more by clicking here.

Wishing you an abundant and blessed Autumn ahead!

A Short Autumn Ritual...

Autumn Blessings, Friends!

The Wheel of the Year has turned, and we welcome the cooler and darker months ahead.

You can read more about Autumn Equinox, often called Mabon, on a previous Borne Blog here.

This year my offering to you is a short and simple Autumn Equinox ritual and chant that you might like to use to honour this transitional time.

Autumn Equinox Ritual

1. Prepare a small altar or space with autumn symbols: a candle (gold, orange, red, brown), a bowl of water, an apple, and something that represents balance (like two stones of different colors).

2. Ground yourself with a few deep breaths.

3. Light the candle, saying:

“I welcome the turning of the year. Light and dark, day and night, now stand as equals.”

4. Hold the apple, and reflect on gratitude for your harvest (what you’ve achieved or received this year).

5. Place the two stones side by side, saying:

“Balance within, balance without. I walk the path of harmony.”

6. Close the ritual by eating a piece of the apple or pouring water to the earth as an offering.

Autumn Equinox Chant

(Repeat softly, three times or as many as you feel right):

“Sun to shadow, light to dark,

Balance strikes a sacred mark.

Harvest gathered, spirits near,

I honor the turning of the year.”

Time to slow down?

Autumn Equinox beckons us to find a moment to pause, and Autumn itself is a time to start to slow down.

This Sunday 28th September we are offering a special 75 minute extended practice “Slowdown Sunday” which will be a Yang to Yin, Flow to Slow approach. Ending in a lovely snuggly relaxation.

This is available to join in the studio and LIVE online via Zoom.

For more information click here.

Need some deep rest?

Yoga Nidra, often known as “Yogic Sleep” is a type of meditation practice offering the body deep rest.

It is accessible and inclusive, as there is little to no movement involved.

This class is available online weekly, and once a month we will be bringing it into the studio.

This is your opportunity to join us in our serene Stirchley Studio, with all equipment provided, including blankets, cushions, eye pillows.

Practiced in a candlelit room, lie down and simply relax. (The class will also be available online).

You deserve a Sunday evening of rest and recuperation once a month, minimum!

So why not join us for both Slowdown Sunday and Yoga Nidra?

As a thank you, Yoga Nidra is 50% off if you join Slowdown Sunday - just email us to get your discount!

(Please don’t book and then ask for a discount as we won’t be able to offer you a refund).

Book the September in studio class here.

Book the online class (and all other classes) here.

The studio is sooo cosy in Autumn - fairy lights, Autumn wreaths, candlelit classes, and of course herbal teas on tap and a fully equipped as always.

For slower paced classes you might like to wear extra layers, and a fluffy pair of socks is always a great idea!

We recommend balancing your class schedule with a mix of Yin and Yang - punchier paced, flow or Hatha style classes mixed with slower flows, and of course our dreamy Yin-spired STRETCH and STRETCH & REST classes (the latter of which includes a short Yoga Nidra to end.

Stay warm, stay well, and we look forward to guiding you through the next season!

Welcoming the Autumn Equinox

The Autumn Equinox occurs between September 21st and 24th, depending on the year. In 2024, it is today - Sunday September 22nd.

It marks the point when the sun is directly above the equator, leading to nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness. We say nearly, as although the day itself is often said to be equal day and night that’s not 100% true. (Keep reading to find out more).

What is the Autumn Equinox?

The Autumn Equinox is one of two times each year (the other being the Spring Equinox), when the Earth’s tilt is such that the sun is positioned directly above the equator. This results in nearly equal hours of daylight and night, which signals the change and transformation from summer to autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

It is also considered a time of transition, marking the shift from the vitality and Yang (active) energy of summer to the harvest season, Yin (passive) energy, and the eventual death or dormancy of the winter season.

Symbolically, it represents the importance of balance in life, both in the natural world and in human life itself.

Other names for the Autumn Equinox include:

Mabon (in Pagan and Wiccan traditions), Second Harvest (following Lammas, the first harvest), and Alban Elfed (in Druidic tradition).

Are night and day actually equal length?

Although the equinox is said to be a time of equal day and night, daylight is actually still slightly longer than night. This is due to factors such as the atmosphere refracting sunlight (sounds very scientific), and the way we measure sunrise and sunset from the first and last rays of the sun, not the centre.

The Equilux (equal day and night), occurs a few days before or after the equinox, and this is the point when day and night are truly equal in length.

Who celebrates?

• Pagans and Wiccans: Celebrate it as Mabon, a harvest festival.

• Druids: Honor it as Alban Elfed, marking the harvest and balance in nature.

• Many Indigenous Cultures: Have fall harvest festivals aligned with this time.

• Cultural Celebrations: For example, in China and Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates harvest and family reunions, often around this time.

How to celebrate?

• Harvest Festivals: Many cultures celebrate by giving thanks for the bounty of the earth.

• Feasts: Foods associated with the season, like apples, pumpkins, and grains, are often part of celebrations.

• Balance Rituals: Symbolizing the balance of light and dark, many people perform meditations, rituals, or set intentions.

• Offerings and Gratitude: Some honour deities or spirits associated with harvest and fertility.

Rituals for Autumn Equinox.

• Thanksgiving: Express gratitude for the harvest, both literally and metaphorically (life’s abundance).

• Balance: To align with the equinox's theme of balance, rituals often involve reflection on areas of life that need harmony.

• Altar: Altars decorated with autumnal colours (orange, red, gold) and symbols of the harvest, such as corn, apples, and wheat.

• Fire: Lighting a fire to honour the sun’s diminishing light and the warmth it provided through summer.

• Connect with Nature: Spend time outside to appreciate the changing seasons.

• Set Intentions: Reflect on areas of your life that need more balance or gratitude.

• Harvest Offerings: Gather fruits, vegetables, or herbs to create an offering or meal in celebration of the earth’s bounty.

• Decluttering: As nature prepares to shed leaves and prepare for winter, many honour the equinox by simplifying their homes and lives.

Yoga Poses for the Autumn Equinox.

Yoga for the Autumn Equinox focuses on grounding and balance, aligning with the themes of the equinox. Here are some poses:

• Tree Pose (Vrksasana): Helps with physical and mental balance.

• Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III): A balancing pose that promotes strength and stability.

• Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Grounding and stabilizing, perfect for connecting to the earth.

• Corpse Pose (Savasana): A restorative pose to reflect on balance and transition.

Summary

The Autumn Equinox, usually occurring on or around September 22nd, represents a time of balance, as day and night are nearly equal.

Also known as Mabon or Alban Elfed, it marks the beginning of fall and a time of harvest, reflection, and preparation for the darker half of the year.

Although equinox is often thought of as the day when daylight and night are equal, the true equilux occurs when the lengths of day and night are exactly the same, which happens a few days before or after the equinox.

Various cultures and spiritual traditions, such as Pagans, Druids, and indigenous people, celebrate this time with rituals involving gratitude, balance, and reflection.

Celebrating the Autumn Equinox can involve harvest feasts, meditations, and grounding rituals. To honour the equinox through Yoga, focus on poses that promote balance and grounding, such as Tree Pose and Mountain Pose.

Celebrate the Autumn Equinox with Yoga Borne!

I have been guiding seasonal based and Wheel of the Year workshops for many years.

Autumn Equinox is one of the sabbats (celebrations), on the Wheel of the Year, and probably my favourite!

This year, we will once again be holding a Yoga workshop, and if you join us in the studio this will include a fire release ceremony.

Click here to find out more.

The studio is currently fully booked, but you can add yourself to the waitlist on the Glofox app, or join us LIVE online via Zoom. Click here to book!

Free Yoga Nidra!

Autumn symbolises a downward and inward movement of energy, and practices like Yoga Nidra are perfect for for the colder and darker seasons.

And what’s even better? You can snuggle up at home for a FREE LIVE online via Zoom Yoga Nidra practice to honour Autumn Equinox!

There are 17 of you booked so far, and we cannot wait to welcome you. If you would like one of the last 3 spaces just click here.

Wishing you an abundance of health, wealth and happiness this coming season!