Autumn at Emma's Yoga Hut!

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer filled with nice things? I am managing to get through my summer love to do list - as you can see we finally made it to a sunflower field, and it was gorgeous, and filled with ladybirds which was an unexpected bonus! As we come to the end of August it is time to make my Autumn love to do list; this list will be a little bit more apple crumble, woodland walks, firepits and toadstool spotting based than my summer one! Let me know if you do a seasonal love to do list and if so what is on it!?

You might have noticed that nature is starting to slow down now, beginning its transition to turning its energy being inward, preparing for getting through the colder, shorter days. You have probably noticed the earlier signs of the shift already, the cooler mornings, the flowers becoming seed heads, the trees losing a little of their bloom. You may start to feel that dip in energy in yourself too, maybe a little bit of grief for the closing weeks of the summer. It is a time where we often feel the need to gently slow down a little ourselves. Across the spring and summer we may have found ourselves pulled thin, scattered in different directions, and now is the time to begin to gently draw all those scattered parts back in to yourself, honouring your body, mind and soul by coming home to yourself.

Speaking of rest - it is this time of year that I like to remind myself of the idea that rest is a radical act. We live in a society that values us for our productivity, our worth comes from what we do and achieve. But we are human beings not human doings, and rest is not merely a nice add on for our wellbeing if we can fit it in. Nor is it a tool to ensure that we can be expected to withstand even more stress the next day. It is in fact an absolute necessity; simply watch nature at it progresses through Autumn for guidance here. No deciduous tree will be holding on to its leaves, because if it expends its energy there it will not survive the winter. No hibernating animal decides to just "powers through" – because it would not survive. The radical bit of the rest comes with the idea that by taking rest you are rebelling against the normalisation and glamorization of the hustle culture, overwork, stress related illness and burnout.

Take time where you can, here are some short and sweet ideas where you can take a moment during a busy day to come back to yourself:

Grounding – simply standing on the earth bare foot (before it becomes unpleasantly cold to do so!) feeling the earth beneath us, can be a beautifully settling and calming experience. Maybe as you stand there imagining that roots are emerging from the soles of our feet to keep us steady on the earth beneath us. Closing the eyes and simply following the breath for a few rounds can help us come back to ourselves, it can be nice to have the hands resting on the heart centre as you do this too. It is an easy one to fit in between meetings if you are working from home, or just to do when you are feeling unsettled and scattered.

Lighting a candle or two when the nights begin to draw in can help create a sense of cosiness and security, there is also something soothing and ritualistic about lighting a candle. It is the sort of thing you do when you are making things lovely for other people. Doing it just because and just for you is a lovely way of honouring yourself and telling yourself that you are worth that love and effort. I like to do this in the mornings too on the days I am up before dawn in the autumn and winter too.

Practising balances – tree pose, dancers pose, half moon, warrior 3 – whichever ones you like most can be a lovely way of finding steadiness and peace during this most visible of seasonal transitions. There is a magical quiet that comes to the mind and body in a balance. Do not feel shy about using support where you need to here! Blocks, walls, chairs, the kitchen work surface, whatever is handy - seek support where its needed.

And of course I always recommend a regular yoga practice to keep yourself grounded and rested as well as stretched and strengthened! Our weekly evening and chair yoga classes start again week of 8th September and run through to the week of 13th October. I am so looking forward to practicing with you all again!

If you feel like a little extra bit of support in your rest and self care then here are a handful of Autumn / Winter 2025 events that may help you....

November 7th AUTUMN SEASONAL SOUNDBATH

630 - 715pm at Earley Crescent Resource Centre:

Lean into the closing in of the evenings with meaningful self care. Surrounded by fall leaves, candles and fairy lights we will be guided into relaxation with an autumnal meditation, before we move into a soothing sound bath using Full Moon Tibetan Singing Bowls. These bowls are excellent for helping us to let go and release what we no longer need - just like the trees show us how to do so beautifully at this time of year! Followed by home made bliss balls and oracle cards.

December 5^th EMMAS YOGA HUT ALTERATIVE CHRISTMAS NIGHT OUT!

6 - 745pm at Earley Crescent Resource Centre:

A night designed to leave you nourished and restored in the run up to Christmas. Join us for gentle yoga to stretch and soothe the body, followed by the restful guided meditation with a seasonal yoga nidra with sound to help wash away any seasonal stresses. We will be surrounded by candles and winter foliage as we practice and rest. This will all be finished off with Yule oracle cards and Mince pies!

December 18, 19 and 20^th THE WINTER SOLSTICE SERIES:

All at Emma's Yoga Hut

Midwinter Luxury Sound bath Thursday 18^th December: 1915 – 2030

A midwinter sound bath to soothe the soul and nurture the spirit in the depths of winter. Followed by mince pies and mulled wine or tea.

Midwinter Rest: Yin, Sound, Meditation: Friday 19^th December: 1830 – 2000

Welcome into a fairy light strewn cozy winter sanctuary for yin yoga, and a Yoga Nidra guided meditation with sound. Be supported in deep rest in the darkest time of the year. Followed by mulled wine or tea and mince pies – next to the fire pit (with a blanket!) if the weather is kind to us!

Solstice Sun Salutations - Welcome back the light! Saturday 20^th December 7am – 815am

Join us for sun salutations followed by a guided meditation in the form of a Winter Solstice Yoga Nidra. Wrapped up with freshly ground coffee and freshly baked croissants – next to the fire pit (with blankets!) if the weather allows.

Booking via the website under the classes and events tab!

I am very much looking forward to seeing you soon!

With love,

Emma xx

(Emma runs Emma’s Yoga Hut in Earley. A teeny garden studio for nurturing, holistic and inclusive small group yoga. She is a yoga student and yoga teacher and has practiced yoga for nearly 30 years. She trained with the Traditional Yoga Association right here in Reading between 2016 and 2018 to achieve her 500 hour yoga teaching accreditation. She has additional teaching qualifications in Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra. She is a fully internationally accredited Sound Bath Facilitator specialising in singing bowls. She teaches Chair Yoga classes at local community centres where there is almost always a coffee and a chat after class. Emma is passionate about getting the beautiful benefits of yoga out to as many people as possible, and tries her best to practice yoga every day, and yes, lying down in Savasana definitely counts!)