Rhythm reset for optimal rest during the Autumn Equinox
Often I daydream about how human beings became so ramped up and busy. We can do a lot more in a day than our ancestors of a mere 200-300 years ago could do. Personally, I love to get things done and feel the momentum of good work. Now the real question is what we desire to be doing and for how long is it sustainable. Culturally, most systems of work and education expect us to stand up in the morning, run all day and then fall peacefully asleep at night. At all ages and stages, we benefit from an activity rhythm that supports nervous system pendulation. Our innate drive to live includes adventure, rest and connection.
Circadian rhythm is the better known part of our bodily cycles. Our familiarity with the sun up and sun down schedule may be one place we get our cultural perspective on a productive day. Waking up at sunrise has long been prized in contemplative lineages. But if 4:30 AM doesn’t sound like a golden hour to you, notice which hour you awake with ease. Adjust your night hours until you land on an ideal time for waking.
Having an awareness of your body’s state within the light cycle is important to sound sleep, effective digestion and a regulated mood. Seasonal Affect Disorder (or SAD) can be diagnosed by a medical provider. Even without a visit to the doctor, you can likely identify if you are affected by the darker days ahead. What changes about your interests and cravings as your skin soaks in summer sun by day and cozies up to sweater weather by night?
The sweet spot of circadian rhythm does set the stage for the daily waves of energy. However, paying attention solely to circadian rhythm causes potential missed opportunities for alignment. Rest is imperative to mood regulation and energy levels. Are you resisting that urge to put your feet up?
Why not set a timer and gift yourself 10 minutes to use the skills we cultivate at Charym?
The daily waves of rest, full meals, time to play and time for housekeeping make up the lesser known ultradian rhythm. Ultradian rhythm is best described as less perceptible yet present bodily cues we feel throughout our waking cycle. When you wake up in the morning, what do you immediately do? You may notice you need more time to linger in bed or that you get up immediately to freshen up and make your coffee. Ultradian rhythms are the cycles of activity and rest that our bodies naturally signal throughout the day. There is an art and science to listening, integrating and taking action on these cycles.
If you haven’t noticed by now, I am obsessed with the wholeness of being human and how we can support our natural joy.
The Equinox Rest Immersion is a set of tools that I teach twice a year to keep us in practice for honoring our rhythms.
This immersion is meant for people who want to build rest into their self-care practices.
Practices we will cover in the Equinox Rest Immersion:
Orientation, spatial awareness and ocular stretches
Self holding and massage
Awareness of location of sensations
Expansion of vocabulary of sensations
Experience of the difference on joint flexion and extension at rest
Visualization of external resources
Restorative yoga postures for use as nap replacements and to wind down for bed
These skills will:
Deepen your contemplative pause and witness consciousness.
Create more space between you and the world
Soothe yourself into true empathy and build better boundaries
Fall asleep with ease
Cultivate more patience
Address pain symptoms over time through honoring wholeness
Join us for this very special class:
Friday, September 22 from 7:30 to 9:00 PM (30 min after Larry’s class is out)
Register for: Equinox Rest Immersion with Nicole Renee.
