Autumn is for Lovers
Hey teachers- I like Autumn better than all other seasons hands down. I have any number of compelling arguments as to why it is superior to the other seasons, but for the sake of brevity, it just is. Fight me.
As this relates to yoga, consider that we weren’t meant to practice in the same way all year round. Traditionally, it’s in the changeable seasons where we should ramp up our practice and follow the heightened energy of each Equinox, which rush forward sudden changes in light and temperatures that always affect our equilibrium. In the Winter we naturally slow things down due to the bitter cold and instinctual tendency to hibernate. In the high heat of Summer again the practice slows down as we bask in the warmth and light.
The quickening we feel as the days get shorter is undeniable so why resist? The crispness in the air invigorates as the heavy heat fades into memory. The Winter Solstice seems like it’s almost hurtling towards us and the excitement and the stress of this time of year are already moving to the front of our minds. Especially in these uncertain times.
Our practice now should make us stronger, more resilient and smooth out the rough edges. The crisp air and the quickening pace are urging you to take on and master that peak posture, to start that ambitious sadhana (or start any sadhana!) and to get ahead of what’s coming. Don’t resist. The time to hibernate is coming soon enough. Summer is a memory. Embrace this season of change, grab a scarf, take the ride. It’s much more fun than looking back.
Make Broccoli Rabe, early and often.
If you’re not making broccoli rabe once or twice a week minimum, I don’t know what to tell you. Super hearty and nutritious and a bit bitter to remind you how tough you are as you confront the dark forces lurking around every corner. Spicy, garlicky but never overly so, its flavor is something that’s hard to pin down. But once you get it, look out. It gives you superpowers, I swear!
Start with a good product! If it doesn’t look vibrant and young (flowering- literally seeing little white flowers- indicates its getting a bit old) then don’t bother.
You only need one pan or pot, some good garlic, extra virgin olive oil, kosher or sea salt and some red chili flakes (aka crushed red pepper). This dish is vegan AF.
Put a small amount of salted water in a large pan or medium size pot, covered, on high heat. Once boiling, steam the rabe for a few minutes, covered. Strain and rough chop the rabe into pieces about 1 inch long or so. Set it aside.
Get your dry pan hot and pour some olive oil in there. A very generous amount. Thinly slice at least 3 cloves of garlic. Toss that in, move it around with a wooden spoon your mother gave you, and don’t walk away! If you burn the garlic, you’re starting over.
Next, throw a big pinch of chili flakes into the oil. Stir. Once the garlic is juuust starting to brown, toss in the blanched rabe. Stir it around and add more olive oil. Don’t be stingy with it. The rabe is gonna soak up a lot. The finished product should glisten with the nectar of the olive! Maybe sprinkle on a couple more chili flakes too, and a pinch of good salt.
That’s it! Turn the heat off and eat it. All of the above, start to finish, is fifteen minutes! You’re welcome.
Sequence of the Month
We sometimes make a morning practice a bit more difficult than necessary, building a barrier to a daily habit where instead we could be starting small & simple and bust down that most common barrier, time, while bringing ourselves enormous benefit.
How about one posture to warm up and stretch, one front body opener, one back body opener, one inversion, one twist and one hip opener? Might I suggest the following…
Adho Mukha Svanasana 10 breaths
Anjaneyasana 10 breaths each side
Uttanasana after each Anjaneyasana 10 breaths each
Sirsasana (full posture or prep) 10 breaths, or up to two minutes
Ardha Matsyendrasana into Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, 10 breaths each posture, each side.
(from the seated spinal twist, take the top leg up and back into pigeon)
Savasana, at least 5 minutes.
Maybe do a lil’ alternate nostril breathing after, and Bob’s your uncle!
(as an alternative, do Salamba Sarvangasana instead of Sirsasana, only do it after the seated twist into pigeon, rather than before)
Boom. That’ll take less than a half hour and you’ll feel amazing. Do it for a few weeks and then tell me I was wrong.
TT Kula! 10/28 at 2PM
Let’s check in regarding our sanity, our sadhana, our zoom teaching, our remote clients, our sleep patterns, reading habits and what have you.
