Yoga for Seasonal Transitions: Easing Into Shorter Days

As the autumn equinox arrives, we find ourselves standing at a moment of balance—equal light and darkness—before the slow tipping of the scales toward shorter days. This seasonal shift often brings with it mixed emotions. Some welcome the crisp air, cozy evenings, and warm drinks, while others feel the weight of dwindling sunlight, tiredness, or a pull toward inwardness.

In yoga, we can honour these transitions not by pushing through, but by softening into them. The equinox is an invitation to pause, reflect, and realign. Just as nature begins to slow down, we, too, can create practices of ease, compassion, and comfort.

Supporting Yourself Through Seasonal Change

• Self-Compassion Over Discipline
  Now is the time to release any pressure to “do more.” Instead, offer yourself the kindness of slowing down. Self-compassion reminds us that rest is not laziness—it’s a necessary rhythm of being.

• Create Comfort and Ritual
  Think of yoga less as performance and more as comfort. Gentle movement, longer-held poses, restorative practices, and cozy savasana moments under a blanket can be deeply nourishing as daylight lessens.

• Ease, Not Effort
  On days when energy feels low, choose grounding postures like Child’s Pose, Supported Bridge, or Legs Up the Wall. These shapes offer restoration without strain, allowing body and mind to gently recalibrate.

Honouring the Shift

The equinox is a time of balance — day and night equal in measure. On the mat, we can reflect this balance by pairing grounding postures with gentle openings:

• Child’s Pose to surrender and rest.

• Supported Forward Folds to quiet the nervous system.

• Heart-Opening Poses like Bridge or Fish, supported with props, to release heaviness.

• Savasana with a Blanket to invite deep rest.

Instead of seeking intensity, consider practices that emphasize ease, steadiness, and breath awareness.

Leaning Into Balance

The equinox reminds us that transitions don’t have to be rushed. Just as day yields to night, summer yields to autumn, and activity yields to rest, we too can honour our cycles with gentleness. This season, let your practice be a soft landing—a way to ease into shorter days with grace, compassion, and balance.

Disclaimer

All beliefs and perspectives shared in this blog are uniquely mine, shaped by my experiences and personal journey. However, due to challenges with language and expression following a brain injury, I use AI as a supportive tool in crafting my blog entries. This collaboration helps me articulate my thoughts more clearly while staying true to my voice.