I am and have been fond of the pointers we devise, the specific seasons being prominent. Today is the Fall Equinox, 2021. As of this writing, the weather where I live is great, a little chilly at night, still a bit warm during the day. The leaves are just beginning to change. In the broader world, COVID is still present in a big way, along with all the attendant fear and loathing. For the first time in a long time, inflation has become a major issue. But considering we have been printing money like it was going out of style, for a good 20 years, and giving it way just as freely over the last 18 months, who could be surprised? But that is a topic for another day, if at all.
I have dedicated a good part of this year learning, studying, and practicing Tibetan Yoga. This is and has been very informative. I'm not really a Buddhist (I don't claim any specific religious or other clannish affiliations), so my motivation is from a different angle. As a practitioner of movement and energy arts, these practices appeal to me. I am at this point still in the middle of a 4 month virtual retreat, so I don't want to draw any firm conclusions or, frankly, say much about the specifics at all. I have been and am enjoying the practices and so very grateful for the opportunity to learn. The environment for the last 18 months hasn't been conducive to a lot of the external practices I have been involved in. I have tried to take advantage of opportunities for other things as I find them.
Back to the environment: Over the next few weeks the temperature will really begin to change here. Accordingly, activity and diet will, or should, be tweaked as well. I think it is important to be outside as much as possible, regardless of conditions--unless of course it is storming, or otherwise overtly dangerous to our health. I have always maintained the best time to train Taiji-Qigong outdoors is on the hottest and coldest days. But even beyond that, just getting out to walk, work in the yard, etc... is crucial year-round.
As far as diet, I sometimes eat a bit more as the weather cools. My personal preference is to still focus on fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh fish as much as possible in the Fall, to extend Summer eating habits before Winter arrives. Over Fall, I like to increase warm liquids--tea, coffee, cider--but otherwise I don't tweak a lot between Summer and Fall. Once Winter arrives, I like to focus on root vegetables, heavier soups, and a bit more carbs. Throughout the Winter that will be my focus. Otherwise, I eat the same as any other time of year. As Spring begins to unfold, I will pretty much stay with what I was doing over the Winter, as local fresh fruit and vegetables aren't in season yet and I like to transition slowly, much as I do Fall to Winter. There are some Spring options, like Rockfish, that I will seek out. Note, these are small seasonal tweaks to a pretty standard Pescatarian diet that for the most part is standard year-round. I do take some advice from Ayurveda and TCM, but it is limited. I do not advise my diet, or any diet whatsoever, for other people. Following a template of any kind is never a good idea. We are individuals. Typology is a scam. The best "way" is the way that unfolds naturally in front of you daily. To that end, the best way to know what is the right practice, or diet, or routine, or whatever for you is to know yourself, intimately, spiritually, energetically, mindfully.
For now, there is a storm brewing right outside my door. Thunder will clap tonight and it will be 12-15 degrees cooler tomorrow, 20 degrees cooler tomorrow night. This is the Way.
I have dedicated a good part of this year learning, studying, and practicing Tibetan Yoga. This is and has been very informative. I'm not really a Buddhist (I don't claim any specific religious or other clannish affiliations), so my motivation is from a different angle. As a practitioner of movement and energy arts, these practices appeal to me. I am at this point still in the middle of a 4 month virtual retreat, so I don't want to draw any firm conclusions or, frankly, say much about the specifics at all. I have been and am enjoying the practices and so very grateful for the opportunity to learn. The environment for the last 18 months hasn't been conducive to a lot of the external practices I have been involved in. I have tried to take advantage of opportunities for other things as I find them.
Back to the environment: Over the next few weeks the temperature will really begin to change here. Accordingly, activity and diet will, or should, be tweaked as well. I think it is important to be outside as much as possible, regardless of conditions--unless of course it is storming, or otherwise overtly dangerous to our health. I have always maintained the best time to train Taiji-Qigong outdoors is on the hottest and coldest days. But even beyond that, just getting out to walk, work in the yard, etc... is crucial year-round.
As far as diet, I sometimes eat a bit more as the weather cools. My personal preference is to still focus on fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh fish as much as possible in the Fall, to extend Summer eating habits before Winter arrives. Over Fall, I like to increase warm liquids--tea, coffee, cider--but otherwise I don't tweak a lot between Summer and Fall. Once Winter arrives, I like to focus on root vegetables, heavier soups, and a bit more carbs. Throughout the Winter that will be my focus. Otherwise, I eat the same as any other time of year. As Spring begins to unfold, I will pretty much stay with what I was doing over the Winter, as local fresh fruit and vegetables aren't in season yet and I like to transition slowly, much as I do Fall to Winter. There are some Spring options, like Rockfish, that I will seek out. Note, these are small seasonal tweaks to a pretty standard Pescatarian diet that for the most part is standard year-round. I do take some advice from Ayurveda and TCM, but it is limited. I do not advise my diet, or any diet whatsoever, for other people. Following a template of any kind is never a good idea. We are individuals. Typology is a scam. The best "way" is the way that unfolds naturally in front of you daily. To that end, the best way to know what is the right practice, or diet, or routine, or whatever for you is to know yourself, intimately, spiritually, energetically, mindfully.
For now, there is a storm brewing right outside my door. Thunder will clap tonight and it will be 12-15 degrees cooler tomorrow, 20 degrees cooler tomorrow night. This is the Way.
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