the season of Autumn....

in Ancient Chinese traditions, Autumn is linked with the element of Metal,
and begins at the Autumn Equinox, proceeding for six weeks to the start of Winter!
(21st - 23rd March to the 1st May in the Southern Hemisphere,
21st - 23rd September to the 1st November in the Northern Hemisphere).

Eating and Exercising during Autumn.....

Autumn is the time for helping your digestive system achieve a balance between yin and yang energies. In the body, yin and yang energies correspond with acid and alkaline states respectively. Under normal conditions, signs of over-acidity (poor mental function, fatigue, insomnia, arthritic disorders, muscle aches and pains) should be neutralised or counter-balanced by the body’s ability to “buffer” any excess acid via alkaline reserves in blood and bone. Modern living, however, with its excessive concentrated protein (meat), and highly processed food intake, plus added and extremely high stress levels, can exhaust this buffering capacity, especially towards the end of Summer....

When this happens, excess acidity has to be neutralised by a “bicarbonate buffer system,” which requires sodium and calcium. When blood reserves are used up, the body calls on calcium from the bones - thus there is a link between excessive protein consumption and bone density loss. This acid-buffering system needs a supply of alkaline minerals from our food, and so our food intake needs to be made up of around 80 percent alkali-forming and neutral foods, and only 20 percent acid forming foods. The natural acidity of food and its ability to become “acid forming” when metabolised in the body are two different things. When food is metabolised a mineral ash remains. When this ash is rich in calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium it is “alkali-forming” but when it contains large amounts of chlorine, sulphur, and phosphorus it is “acid-forming”.

Since Autumn begins at the Autumn Equinox which is essentially about establishing balance, remember when following the Autumn eating plan, the fundamental focus should be on establishing balance within the body, and changes should be made slowly, in moderation during the entire time of Autumn, rather than quickly or radically in one or two days. The Autumn eating strategy can be followed for two to six weeks, and even if you start making your changes late in Autumn, you can continue with this eating strategy through to the beginning of Winter.

A number of health strategies that focus on the way we eat, such as food combining, can help our body’s achieve balance between acid and alkaline states. Fruit and vegetables are easier to digest than proteins, such as steak or cheese, and starches, such as bread. Many fruits and vegetables are categorised as “alkaline-forming” while most proteins are “acid-forming” and take longer to digest.

Autumn Six Week Eating Strategy [ Read More ]

The Autumn state of Reflection.......
During this time of Autumn reflection, it’s a good idea to look at your eating patterns and habits..... Starting a liquid and food diary can give you the information and balanced perspective you need, to make informed and subtle changes to enhance your Body Power. Autumn is the time of Nature’s abundance, so plan a little more carefully what you eat for the next six weeks, and take advantage of all the fresh fruit and vegetables that are readily available. Following a healthy eating plan at this time, can help your body achieve balance between the acid and alkaline states, boosting your immune system and helping your body prepare for the protection against Winter ailments.

Autumn Exercise Strategy.......
During this time of reflection, it’s a good idea to look at your lifestyle and habits... and consider the changes to your daily exercises. Whilst Summer inspires vigourous outdoor activities, like running, swimming, cycling and such, in certain climates these exercise programs need to be brought indoors or changed to a more gentler approach. Take advantage of the warm Autumn weather when it happens, however ensure that you continue to exercise when the weather forces you indoors, rather than neglecting your body’s physical needs.

Find something that works for you, No matter how challenging! 
Last year (2005) during Late Summer and Autumn, the weather was so lousy, with cold overcast blustery days and howling winds which sandblasted my face, I found it difficult and unpleasant to walk outdoors enough to maintain any semblance of an exercise routine. I looked around for some type of exercise classes and although challenging, I eventually found something that suited my lifestyle and challenged my perspectives. Although it had been 20 years since I practised Karate in my youth, and despite my trepidation, fear and self-consciousness, I joined up in April 2005. It has been a year of growth, facing my fear and overcoming my self-consciousness (although I still struggle in class and during grading ;o) and successfully achieving. In August 2005, I graded alone, in front of all my classmates, their parents and other spectators - and successfully achieved my yellow belt. *Grin* Due to family and work commitments, I unfortunately was unable to grade in November of the same year, however I have continued to practise and attend classes and I have even started working through the routines I need to know at home, and on the 25th April 2006, I go for my next grading for my ‘Orange’ belt. I have rediscovered how much I love Karate, and the Kata’s have allowed me to follow a three to five minute exercise routine of practised movement - anytime and anywhere. Some other amazing things I have discovered, is that when I am overwhelmed, stressed or unable to focus and concentrate, taking five minutes to go through my Kata gives me pause and balance and allows me to find synchronicity of Body, Mind and Spiritual Essence. I have also found my posture improving greatly and I have developed more confidence in the movement of my body.

So however many different types of exercise styles and classes you need to try to find something that works for you, that you enjoy and then learn to love, find something that does work for you. Something that you can practice indoors and when you need to shake off stress, let go of negativity, shed some extra weight after lunch, and that allows you to balance and synchronise your Body, Mind and Spiritual Essence!

Love and Laughter to You and Yours
Mands

PS. I would love to hear from you so please send me an email if you have something to share, Email: [ mands ] with the subject line ‘Autumn’ - thanks!