The outSPOKEn Cyclist
By Diane Jenks
Labor Day always seems to signify the official end of summer and as we approach fall, which officially begins September 22. With its cooler weather and early darkness, I like to think of it as a time to wind down the faster pace of spring and summer, and turn inward to reflect and recoup.
Fall brings those gorgeous dramatic skies, brisk winds, and the quiet of fallen leaves that whisper as you walk through them.
It also affords you a chance to change your routine as kids go back to school, vacations are over, and even our cravings for food and drink seem to morph into a more warm and savory place.
Fall is a great time to don a jacket or sweater for a bike ride on the towpath or a hike through the Metroparks and it’s a great time to reacquaint you and your family with hot beverages and hearty soups.
But more than these things, fall is a time to reflect — to give yourself permission to focus on just you — whether it’s recommitting to your indoor exercise routine or browsing the shelves at the library and bringing home a stack of books.
Fall is also a time well suited to adjusting both your mental and physical routines including getting more sleep with the longer hours of darkness as well as engaging in more inside exercise routines – especially on those rainy days.
There are a couple of practices that are especially well-suited to this time of year and, as you can imagine, I highly recommend yoga.
If you aren’t inclined to join a yoga practice, either online or in a studio, roll out your mat or a towel and spend just 10 or 15 minutes with a pose or two. I always recommend a forward fold, a spinal twist, and a balancing pose.
The forward fold will help to lengthen your spine, stretch your hamstrings and calves, all of which will help to decrease knee and hip issues.
Doing a spinal twist, whether seated or lying down, is like wringing out a dishcloth. The twisting motion helps to release toxins and keeps the spine flexible and healthy.
And balancing on one leg, as in tree pose, is obvious in its rewards – giving you more confidence on slippery surfaces. And, a recent study shows that standing on one leg for just 10 seconds can extend your life.
Along with yoga is, of course, meditation. Simply defined, meditation is just clearing your mind and passively listening. You aren’t asking for anything, you aren’t (supposed to be) thinking about anything (easier said than done, for sure!), and you don’t have to sit in a lotus position to do it!
And whether you are “actively meditating” — purposely sitting quietly and attempting to empty your mind — or just allowing a quiet moment to remind you to stop, listen to what is going on both around you and in your mind, then acknowledging the moment and moving on, there is no right or wrong way to practice.
You can meditate anytime, anywhere, and for as long — or short — as you wish. There are no meditation rules!
The autumnal equinox signifies the official end of summer and the beginning of the “time of winding down.” I hope you find this time of year and a few of these suggestions valuable.
