!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US !!! BALANCED SOUL TURNS ONE !!!
Details at the end of the blog of how to win a FREE 5 class pass!! (Worth £50!)
Before I talk about this month’s theme, I need to begin with a great big THANK YOU to all of you who have supported Balanced Soul over the last 12 months. I can’t quite believe that we are turning 1 on the 6th October! It has been an incredible journey so far and I am truly grateful to each and every one of you who attend classes, workshops, sound baths and more and support this wonderful space and help make my dream a reality. This wouldn’t be the incredible community it is without you and I am honoured to have you as part of the Balanced Soul family! As we grow and expand over the next year ahead, with more events and exciting new developments (hello sauna!!!), I look forward to continuing to share this and the joy of yoga with you. You are just fabulous!!! From the bottom of my heart, thank you xxx
Now, back to business!! Last week the heating came on for the first time at the studio in 6 months… that means only one thing… change is afoot and Autumn is well and truly on its way! I do love the summer months and warm weather but there is something about the change in season and that feeling of giving yourself permission to slow down and curl up on the sofa under a blanket with tomato soup and cheese on toast. But maybe that’s just me?!
As October unfolds, the air carries a certain crispness. Leaves begin to fall turning fiery shades of amber, gold and crimson before releasing themselves into the earth. Nature models for us the art of letting go; a lesson deeply woven into yoga practice and especially into twisting postures.
Autumn is a season of transition, a time of balance between light and darkness, abundance and rest. It invites us to pause, to reflect, and to release what no longer serves us, much like the trees that surrender their leaves to make space for quiet renewal. In yogic philosophy this practice is known as “Apariagraha” which means “non-attachment” or “letting go of attachment”.
Twists as a Practice of Release
Physically, twisting postures mirror this process of shedding and letting go. Through their spiral movements, twists create space in the spine, wring out stagnation, and stimulate the digestive organs. This action of compression and release acts like a “squeeze-and-soak,” helping the body flush toxins and refresh the flow of oxygenated blood to vital organs.
Some of the physiological benefits of twists include:
- Spinal decompression and mobility — creating space between the vertebrae and easing stiffness.
- Core strength — engaging the obliques to stabilize and protect the spine.
- Digestive support — massaging the stomach, liver, and kidneys to promote regularity and improved digestion.
- Circulation and energy — enhancing blood flow and delivering a gentle vitality boost.
- Nervous system regulation — calming the body and grounding the mind.
When practiced with breath awareness, inhaling to lengthen the spine, exhaling to deepen the twist, these poses not only support physical detoxification but also invite mental and emotional clarity.
Our bodies naturally begin to slow down in autumn, urging us toward longer rest, inward reflection and nourishing foods (crumpets and butter count right?!). Supporting this process through gentle cleansing practices such as twists is a perfect complement to this seasonal rhythm, aiding the body’s efforts to shed excess and prepare for winter’s stillness.
The Art of Letting Go
In yogic philosophy, Autumn becomes a living metaphor: the falling leaves teach us impermanence. On the mat, we can embrace this lesson by practicing intentional release ; twisting to wring out, exhaling to let go, softening into stillness after movement. Off the mat, we can explore the same process in journaling, guided meditation, or simply reflecting on what we’re ready to release.
As part of my own personal practice of Apariagraha, I often like to have a “cull” of things that I no longer need… whether it be the clearing out of a drawer or a wardrobe or the children’s old toys. That sense of clearing and creating space, I find, makes for a quieter mind. “Spark Joy” by Marie Kondo is a great read if you’re interested in where to begin with a home clear out.
This doesn’t just have to be physical possessions but it could also include old habits, lingering emotions, or unnecessary attachments. In doing so, we create space for clarity, balance and renewal. Just as trees release their leaves to stand bare against the coming winter, we too can release what weighs us down…
Balancing the Transition
This series we will be exploring a series of postures relating to twists and balance . While twists encourage release, balancing postures remind us to find steadiness during change. Rooting down through the feet or hands while holding equilibrium mirrors the way we can ground ourselves amidst life’s shifts. Together, twisting and balancing postures create a practice that is both cleansing and stabilizing, perfectly aligned with the spirit of October.
As the season turns, yoga offers us tools to align with nature’s rhythm: to wring out what is no longer needed, to balance within the flux of change and to welcome stillness with open hearts. In this season of falling leaves, may we practice the courage to let go, trusting that release creates space for renewal.
I look forward to joining you on the mat soon.
Love, health and happiness,
Rae xxx
WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH
BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!-In celebration of Balanced Soul turning ONE , I am offering a giveaway!
First prize: 5 class pass (worth £50!)
Second prize: Balanced Soul Hoody
Third Prize: Balanced Soul Tote Bag.
To be in with a chance to win, all you need to do is:
1) Tag 5 friends on one of our social media giveaway posts
AND
2) Make sure you are following Balanced Soul on at least one of our social media platforms. (Instagram, Facebook)
Good luck!!!
Full Moon Sound Bath– Friday 3rd October, 7-8pm. Contact Rachel directly via rachel@mycalminthecity.co.uk for enquiries and to book your space.
New Class! Vinyasa Yoga with Charlotte– Starting Sunday 5th October, 8:45-9:45am. Contact Charlotte directly via charlotte.bones@btinternet.com for all enquiries and to book your space.