Column: Simple ways to reduce the effects of seasonal change

As the seasons shift from cold, dry, and grey to warm, damp, and sunny we can easily become swept up in the shift and can lose ourselves in the change. Yoga is a practice of establishing balance, ease, and steadiness. The better we become at recognizing how seasonal changes affect us, the more harmonious we will feel year round.

Understand Your Surroundings

If you have chosen to live in Tahoe it is likely because you enjoy seasons. With that is likely a desire to experience change. Maybe you are someone who switches up your furniture arrangement on a regular basis or swaps out your wardrobe. Maybe you like to try new things, enjoy unique adventures or eat unfamiliar foods.

Becoming aware of our surroundings helps us to understand ourselves better. I know that I could never live in a place that has similar weather all year round, nor could I live somewhere that has perpetual light then switches to darkness. Sorry Alaska. Take some time to consider or journal about the things you most enjoy about Tahoe. Why have you chosen to live here? What about this particular place fulfills your needs?

Get To Know Your Self

We all have our habits. Think about your morning or evening routine, the way you get into the car, how you pack your carry-all, etc. There are things we do that make our lives easier.

Now, think about the things you avoid. What do you try not to do? What do you put off until the last minute? What do you wish you didn’t have to do?

Yoga considers habit to be Karma: unconscious actions resulting in consequences. Anything we do without thinking creates Karma. I imagine Karma to be like additional luggage you have to carry with you everywhere. The more you pack, the more you have to carry. The more conscious we are of our behaviors the less Karma we create and the less baggage we carry around.

Choose one of the tasks you avoid and begin making it a priority. Try to complete it first or address it before doing the things you enjoy. Over time, begin doing this with all of the things you avoid. By addressing your Karma head on you will begin to free yourself from the weight and feel more ease.

Express & Accept

You have a special set of skills. They may not be what you think. Not all skills are describable or demonstrable on the spot. Certain people will pop into my head when I need certain things. For example, if I need a tree taken down I will call my brother because he is an arborist. If I need to vent about my mother I will call my sister. If I need a night off from adulting I know who to call. In exchange, I know that I am called upon when someone needs me.

Consider what it is you have to offer. What skills do you have? Think outside of the box. If you struggle to identify your skills then ask a friend, family member or colleague. Next, think about how you exchange your skills for those of others. Is this exchange balanced? Are there any occasions or people that make you feel used, abused or exhausted? Try to slowly reduce the situations and people that drain you and focus more upon those that offer an equal exchange. In doing so, you will feel better about expressing yourself and accepting from others that which you need.

Cultivate What You Need

There are some things that make life better. Maybe your day is better after a cup of coffee, a walk outdoors, lifting weights or snuggling with your children. These seemingly little things give us a feeling of joy that sets or ends or day with happiness.

Begin a journal that is dedicated to honoring the little moments in each day that bring you joy. Think about the things that you do regularly to create a sense of happiness. Observe the unexpected moments of happiness. Take note of the little things.

The more we notice the moments of joy and happiness in our day, the easier it becomes to cultivate more. By changing your focus you plant the seeds to grow.

As this new season begins continue these practices as consistently as possible. The more you journal and reflect the better you become at identifying imbalance and moving closer to harmony.

Jenay Aiksnoras, B.S. Psychology, M.S. Counseling, ERYT500 has owned Lake Tahoe Yoga LTD since 2008. She has been guiding Yoga practitioners since 2005. She developed and practices a unique therapeutic Yoga technique called Realignment Coaching that brings together the practices of Yoga, Ayruveda and Counseling. She has guided practitioners to prevent injury and heal from many physical and mental health needs.