October is a time when the mature yang energy of Summer is fading into the young yin energy of Fall. To honor this transition, during the month of October I will be focusing on the gifts of the Earth element in my Energy Medicine Yoga classes. Just a reminder, these classes are live every Wednesday OR if you can’t make the live class, you can get the recording afterward.  

The Earth element is responsible for helping us with transitions between seasons. It is the season of the harvest, which applies to you even if you aren’t a farmer. What are you harvesting at this time in your life? What is coming into maturity? What is ready to be offered to the world or, alternatively, let go of? These are questions to ask yourself at this time.

The organs of the Earth element are Stomach and Spleen. There is a LOT to digest right now, particularly coming in from the outer world.  Creating strong organs of the Earth element can help you digest all the information coming at you during this election year. The Stomach helps to nourish you, and Spleen gives you some stability through these winds of change. Recent research demonstrates the importance of these organs and the relationship between gut health, our emotions, our immunity, and overall wellbeing. Studies show that the balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome may affect your emotions and the way your brain processes information. A stronger immunity is particularly helpful as we move into the fall and flu season.

If you are prone to worry, panic, anxiety, and overthinking things, it is helpful to cultivate a balanced Earth energy. Working with the spleen meridian helps you to integrate all the feelings, thoughts, and experiences that you have every day. And the virtues of Earth are empathy and nurturing. Remember to be kind to yourself, ground your energy for the winter ahead, and open to the blessings of this in-between time. 

Interestingly, the Stomach meridian has its highest potential from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. and Spleen is from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Thus, if you eat breakfast between 7:00 – 9:00 a.m., you have additional digestive capacity and then Spleen takes over to take in what is needed and let go of what is not.

This is a great time to be mindful of what you do, what you eat, and what you take in emotionally and mentally. Do practices that help you find your center like yoga, meditation, journaling, walking in nature, getting your bare feet on the ground, getting outside at sunrise for 10 minutes in the morning, and eating warming foods.  Singing is the sound of the Earth element, so finding some time to sing or chant would also be a fun practice to help you stay balanced.

Since the days are getting cooler, eating warming foods and foods with sweet flavor like yams, sweet potatoes, and carrots are particularly supportive. Go to your Farmers Market and buy the vegetables that are in season now. These will be the best for your body, as well as the freshest.

I look forward to seeing you on the mat at 5:30 p.m. Central Time on Wednesdays! Register here https://tasting-mindfulness.square.site/ for live class OR to receive the recording.

October’s schedule is as follows: 

October 2 – Let go of Summer and Leap into Fall  

October 9 – What do you need to digest in your life? Focus on the Stomach Meridian 

October 16 – What do you need to integrate in your life? Focus on the Spleen Meridian 

October 23 – How to get Grounded

October 30 – Grounding your Energy in Love 

In addition, if you live in or near Columbia, MO, and are interested in a one-on-one Energy Medicine session, I am available for this as well. These personalized sessions are outlined here https://lynnrossy.com/energy-medicine/ or you can contact me for more information.