As we attune to the slower rhythms of Autumn and prepare for the arrival of winter, we lay the ground to welcome an unhurried, intuitive, and gentle period of rest and release. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the seasons of Autumn and Winter are associated respectively with the elements of metal and water.

Metal is sharp and strong, it cuts through the noise, revealing truth in alchemy. Associated with the large intestine and lung organ system the metal element is connected to the emotion of grief. Understanding and embracing the teachings of the element of metal allows us to let go of that which no longer reflects our growth and makes room for the liminal to seep in, the spaces in between that encourage us to find truth through time.

Water is wise, flowing or still, always seeking freedom and the path to least resistance. Connected to the kidneys and urinary bladder, this particular element is associated with the emotion of fear. By letting go of our comforts there is always a moment of uncertainty and fear. Yet, when we embody water we learn to embrace our fluidity, understanding fully that we are not static beings but constantly in flux, always in motion, always growing, spurring, and evolving.

The element of water is connected to ancestry and November is a powerful month to celebrate, remember, and recall our ancestors. In this retreat, we will map out our collective and individual stories tracing the elements of the past we can let go of and forging our way into a new beginning. By connecting to each element singularly with a central line of letting go of the old by embodying the new, we will explore as a collective and as individuals the 5 Element Theory through the practice of yoga, meditation, yoga nidra, and nada yoga.