The Metal Element from Traditional Chinese Medicine is associated with the Fall and teaches us how to navigate this seasonal period of letting go, dying to create something new, and finding inspiration in the journey. Metal stands for being strong, clear about things, and knowing when it’s time to let things go. These abilities help keep our bodies and minds in balance, especially as the seasons change.

Practicing Energy Medicine Yoga supports the metal element by encouraging the smooth flow of energy, particularly through the lung and large intestine meridians (the organs of the Metal Element). Regular sessions can help balance both the emotional and physical aspects of the Metal Element. Doing these practices can lead to a more balance, improve your overall resilience, and enhance your capacity to handle life’s ups and downs. 

To learn more, sign up for my November Energy Medicine Yoga Classes which will focus on the Metal Element. Registration is open now for classes starting Wednesday https://tasting-mindfulness.square.site/. Sign up for the month or individual classes. The classes are mostly live online, but recordings are always available after if you can’t make it live.

Along with these classes, consider these tips for a supporting a healthy body and mind during the fall:

• Practice letting go.

At this time of the year, you may feel the weight of the past year—both mental and physical. Just as the trees let go of their leaves, now is the time to let go of what no longer serves you. You can practice letting go by cleaning out a closet, ending a habit that isn’t serving you, letting go or setting better boundaries in a relationship, cleaning out your to-do list, giving up a grievance or judgment that isn’t helpful, and letting go of whatever else isn’t working in your life.   

• Practice deep breathing.

Lungs are an organ of the Metal Element and it is most active during fall. Feel into this organ by taking a deep breath of fresh, crisp autumn air. Deep, cleansing breaths are necessary for stress release, clear thinking, and proper physiological functioning. Breathing exercises like pranayama practice in yoga stimulates the lungs and supports a strong immune system and improved mood. Chest opening essential oils like pine, eucalyptus, or frankincense can benefit your breath work practice.

• Feel your grief.

Grief is the emotion associated with metal and the lungs. It’s natural to feel some sadness this time of year, as you see the changes taking place in nature. Plants and trees are decaying, dying back, and going into hibernation for the fall and winter. Acknowledging feelings of grief and creating a practice around it will allow feelings of sadness and loss to move through in a healthy way. Journaling, doing energy medicine yoga, pranayama, talking to a friend or counselor are all great ways of processing feelings of grief.

• Connect with what inspires you.

While the theme of fall is to let go, inspiration is an important virtue of the metal element. The job of the lungs, after all, is to “inspire”.  Choose something that helps inspire you and like reading a good book, listening to a podcast, doing your yoga practice, cooking, dancing, playing music, walking in nature, dreaming up projects with friends, or planning a vacation adventure.

• Eat seasonally and mindfully.  

The fresh salads and cool watermelon of the summer are gone, and the foods of fall are showing up at the farmer’s market. Now is the time to eat nourishing soups stews, and stir-fry with carrots, winter squash, pumpkin, broccoli, parsley, kale, turnips, and sweet potato.  The color associated with fall is white, so try including white and spicy foods like scallions, leeks, horseradish, onion, and garlic into your cooking.

• Get organized and de-clutter

The metal element enjoys structure and organization. An organized desk, for instance, creates space for ideas, inspiration, and planning. Clean and organize your closet — putting away the summer clothes and getting ready for the cooler temperatures with appropriate clothing. Give away what you aren’t wearing. There are plenty of opportunities for generosity here.

While processing difficult emotions like grief, letting go, cleaning up, and starting over can be challenging, these are normal processes and journeys that give us healthy, fulfilled lives. Honor the passage of the season by moving with the natural rhythms of fall.