Shifting into Autumn: self-care and the Five Elements
Autumn is here, a season of change, reflection, and letting go. For some, it can bring a touch of grief as the long, warm days of summer fade. In the Five Element system of Chinese Medicine, this is the season to nurture the Metal element, which corresponds to the Lung and Large Intestine energy.
Just as the leaves fall from the trees, the Lungs take in what we need and let go of what we don’t. This is a time to pause and take notice of what is no longer serving you. It’s an opportunity to process any loss we are experiencing, to find gratitude for what we had, to take the lessons learned and gently release.
3 ways to care for your Metal Element this Autumn
1. Connect with nature
Take some time to walk or sit outdoors, notice what is happening in nature right now and reflect on how that relates to you too. Even if it’s raining, create space in your day to pause, to breathe, to feel the ground beneath you and notice how you are feeling within. Fresh air and breath practices will help to take care of the lungs, and mindful reflection can allow you to process anything that has been going on for you.
2. Reflect and Release
Once you have created some space and settled your nervous system, ask yourself: “What do I need to let go of this season?”
Notice the feelings that arise, honour them, feel them and take care of yourself as you make the choice to learn and let go. Journalling might help this process or taking some action, such as having conversations with others.
3. Check your boundaries
The Lung Qi* is also connected to our skin which is a boundary between the external world and the inner world. How are your boundaries in life? Do you always say yes to everything and then end up doing things you really don’t want to do?
This is a time for assessing your boundaries and saying no to what does not align with you, staying strong in your inner power and authority.
*“Qi” in Chinese Medicine meaning “life force” / “energy“
Applying The Five Element System
Learning about the Five Element System of Chinese Medicine is a wonderful way to live mindfully throughout the year. For teachers, it also provides rich themes to weave into classes, workshops, and retreats. Yin Yoga, rooted in Taoist philosophy, aligns beautifully with seasonal practices.
In Yin CPD Training, you’ll discover how to bring the Five Element System to life in your teaching; from theming classes and selecting poses, to working with acupressure points and using reflective journaling prompts. Not only will this enrich your students’ experience in class, you’ll also deepen your own practice and mindful development.
I absolutely love teaching the Yin Level 1 and 2 CPD Courses for this very reason. As well as deep learning, the courses are a retreat like experience with plenty of opportunity to experience the practices. Yin gives us the space to slow down, tune into the body, and explore the subtle energies that flow through us. In my Yin CPD courses, I guide teachers to bring this mindful approach into your classes safely and confidently.
Yin Level 1 CPD: February 5th- 8th, 2026
This Foundation course designed to set you up to teach Yin Yoga carefully and accessibly, to avoid injuries and make the practice inclusive for all students. It’s common for Yoga teachers to start teaching Yin without any training, thinking it’s just a ‘slow Yoga class’. However, there are important considerations to ensure it’s taught safely.
In this Level 1 CPD Course, I’ll give you an overview of the Five Element System of Chinese Medicine and theme classes around this so you can start weaving these principles into your own practice and teaching. Teachers have fed back to me that learning this slow, mindful, and accessible way of teaching Yin has even filtered into the other classes they teach, helping them bring more presence and awareness to all their sessions.
Yin Level 2 CPD: Next month – 15th to 19th October, 2025
Once you’re in the flow of teaching Yin, you may feel ready to dive deeper, learn more and receive fresh inspiration – this is where Yin Level 2 comes in.
On this couse, I’m joined by Clare Francis who leads trainees in an exploration of the anatomy of Yin Yoga, fascia, the nervous system. She’ll also introduce some somatic movement into your practice. Acupuncturist, Anne-Marie, from Taste of Space Acupuncture also joins us for 1.5 days to delve further into Taoist and Chinese Medicine philosophy and the meridians. I’ll also share Paul Grilley’s 7 archetype system for Yoga to make poses accessible for everyone, run a workshop on the Chakras, and introduce new poses to inspire your teaching.
I am looking forward to facilitating these upcoming courses as we explore Yin, deepen your practice, and bring mindful, nurturing energy into your classes. If you’re interested in joining us, finding out more, or have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can email me directly at louise.harmonisetraining@gmail.com
Article by: Louise Windsor
