Finding Rhythms to Support the Body and Mind

It actually FEELS like autumn now! Cozy sweater vibes and warm drinks are at the ready as the weather shifts and the light changes. And as we settle into the season, top of my mind has been the topic of rhythm (and routine).

The rhythmic movement of the breath is one of the quickest nervous system “hacks” that you could engage. When you’re feeling anxious or afraid, the breath is always available to you. The trick is remembering to breathe.

Daily rhythms too, like sleep/wake cycle, regular meals, touchstones of sanity (moments of slowing down or checking in with yourself) also serve to help us stay regulated, healthy, and well. 

I’ve been writing in this newsletter about my new pattern of going to the gym, and to be totally honest, it took me months to pattern in going more regularly than once a weekend for sure and sporadically possibly one more time (if I was lucky) throughout the rest of the week. 

I had to get real with myself about the time required to walk to the gym, do the thing, and walk home. I also needed to understand, from how well my body responded to the gym, the limits of using yoga as my primary form of “exercise.” 

My body needs more strength, not more stretch.

I could probably never do a yoga asana (the physical form of movement which we think of as yoga in the West) almost ever again, and my body wouldn’t mind. I love yoga asana (the physical posture practice) but my body is better served right now by my foray into strength training at the gym. As a topic for another newsletter, the physical posture (asana) practice of yoga is just a tiny sliver of all that yoga actually is. 

And, so, in this season of loss, I decided to let go of the Tuesday morning yoga class that I’ve been attending for 15 years (!!). Tuesday Thursday Sunday was the most natural and predictable rhythm for my body to be at the gym. I toyed with the idea of doing both yoga and the gym but it just wasn’t feasible. And I’m sure that I will occasionally pop back by my early morning yoga class but for now I’m loving my new rhythm at the gym.

The body and the mind love stability. When you find a schedule or a pattern or a way of being that allows for rhythm, the body and mind can relax, knowing that they will be cared for. That’s part of why one of the first things I offer to people in my acupuncture practice who want dietary advice is generally to start eating on a regular schedule before even worrying about what you’re eating. 

As we enter autumn in its fullest glory, are there traditions you would like to lie down or pattern in? What is one area of your life where you could use more rhythm and routine and how can you make space for that?

If you’re looking to find more rhythm in your nervous system and breath, my last at-home restorative yoga practice of the year will be held this Thursday November 5th at 7pm online. If you’ve never registered before, you can do so here.

I will also be teaching Gentle Yoga, Journaling, and Intention Setting both in-person and online on New Year’s Day. Stay tuned for more info! 

And if you or someone you love is wanting nervous system regulation or recovery in your body, mind or spirit, I’m always happy to chat before you schedule acupuncture, to make sure that all of your questions are answered and to figure out if I’m a good fit for what you’re wanting help with. You can schedule a free consult here. 

Or forward my website to a friend who might be interested in a healthcare setting where they feel safe and seen. 

With the holidays approaching, you can purchase gift cards on my website! You can even buy them now and schedule them to send later via email on the date of your choice! Gift cards don’t expire and are a great offering to a friend or loved one. 

May you thrive this fall.