Crunchy leaves, spiders webs, withdrawing the senses & saving the forest - Autumn yoga news

Dear Everyone,

I've spent much of the last two years working on a project to encourage big banks (like HSBC and Barclays) and companies (like Tesco) to stop cutting down the world's crucial tropical forests - and instead invest money and produce food in ways that work in harmony with nature.

So perhaps it's no wonder that I increasingly find myself drawn to trees and woodland - in complete awe of how vital they are to our weather, our health and our economy and the incredible ways in which they function. And this time of year there is nothing quite like wading through crunchy flurries of golden brown leaves, especially with the morning mist rising, spiders webs glistening with dew and the smell of ripening fruits. An Autumn woodland can be a real feast for the senses. 

At the same time, the day length is tumbling fast - we start our Thursday yoga class in the light and by Savasana it's dark. I know many of us (myself included) find the shrinking hours of sunlight a challenge, but it does lend itself rather beautifully to the practice of Pratyahara - the quietening, or withdrawal of the senses - a key part of our yoga class as we transition from mindful, breath-based flow to the more meditative portion of our practice, and a crucial antidote to the information overload that tends to dominate much of the rest of our lives.

So as the days draw in and the bonfire parties begin, it's a good time to spend a little longer focusing on the quieter, more restorative elements of the yoga practice. And a great time to try and get out to enjoy the incredible trees, plants, animals, smells, and sounds of our local woodlands too.

Very best wishes and look forward to seeing you in class soon!

Caroline