Reflections on Asana Through Autumn's Lens by Clarissa Boggess

"This transitional time invites us to wade out into the still, deep waters of the subconscious. Entering a space of reflection, rest, and gratitude we release doing and embrace being, shifting from the realm of thought, surrendering to feeling. In the still, quiet depths our intuition stirs. The witness speaks divine wisdom and is heard."
- Clarissa Boggess
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Without looking at the calendar, you can sense the shift in the air as autumn heralds its arrival in the weeks leading up to the equinox. The quality of the light that dances on the walls is gentler and more diffuse than the fiery brilliance of summer’s vibrant rays. Autumn strolls in on the breeze, brushing the skin with the slightest nip in the early mornings despite the heavy, lingering humidity that Summer somehow always leaves behind. Inhabiting this liminal space, now is the time to gather and prepare, to take stock of all that we have harvested and to look ahead to the time of rest and renewal to come. 
Taking to my mat, I think how autumn is much like the finishing poses of an asana class. Following the active heat of Sun Salutations, my energy winds back in with the gradual transition to postures that gently stretch and lengthen warmed muscles and connective tissue. Here, a pause to reflect on what has surfaced in the heat of practice. The longer holds releasing all that was unearthed and revealed, releasing the remnants of what has been burned away. 
Fall reflects the endless dualities of self that permeate our lives, the ever present swing of the pendulum between extremes. Through yoga practice we learn to recognize patterns, settle our rhythms, bringing equilibrium to our ebbs and flows. Nature reflects our personal seasons back to us in myriad ways; yoga practice offers the ability to see, to discern. 
In Autumn we return to the sacral waters of the womb and the intuitive depths of our higher self. Settling into the practice of nadi shodhana, alternate nostril breathing, the breath finds its rhythm, consciousness inhabits liminal space.
The breath becomes like the light breeze that flutters colorful leaves, nudging the trees to let go, surrendering the fall, releasing attachments whose seasons have ended. We offer up all which no longer serves to the gently flowing waters of our stream of consciousness to be swept away in the dappled autumn light.
With each exhale, every softening, every surrender of tension and effort, we release more fully to our practice. Like the autumn cleaning and clearing in our outward world, we create space and more completely embrace our elemental, rhythmic nature. In this space, the Witness Self steps forward, readying the mind and body to ease into the season of stillness, integration and rejuvenation that is the comforting embrace of surrender in relaxation pose. Breathe deeply, exhale completely, surrender to the support of the floor beneath you. Gazing up at the dancing light on the ceiling, can’t you sense the shift in the air? 
This transitional time invites us to wade out into the still, deep waters of the subconscious. Entering a space of reflection, rest, and gratitude we release doing and embrace being, shifting from the realm of thought, surrendering to feeling. In the still, quiet depths our intuition stirs. The witness speaks divine wisdom and is heard.

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CLARISSA BOGGESS (she/her): 
Owner/Instructor, E-RYT500, RCYT, YACEP, HMACM, Reiki 
​A student of the practice since the mid-90’s and bringing over 14 years of teaching experience to her classes, Clarissa teaches from a space of reverence, curiosity, fun, and spontaneity. Her teaching is most often unscripted, offering unique sequences intuitively inspired by the energy of the moment. Clarissa is known for her ability to cultivate community and truly teach to all levels of yoga experience in her classes. Clarissa is registered with Yoga Alliance and has specialized training in several styles of yoga and movement-based healing modalities.
Additionally, Clarissa has an extensive knowledge of medicinal plants, currently apprenticing through Rosemary Gladstar’s Science and Art of Herbalism community herbalist course. She has been attuned to Reiki since 2008, and has an in-depth understanding of the use of crystals for balancing energy, earning the designation of Certified Crystal Practitioner from the Hibiscus Moon Crystal Academy, in 2016 and Advanced Crystal Master in 2021. 
Clarissa is a fierce and tireless child advocate within Tuscaloosa City Schools and serves the LGBTQ+ community as a founding member of PFLAG Tuscaloosa. Clarissa is available for private sessions, workshops, speaking engagements, and events.  To consult with Clarissa for your event or speaking engagement, please email your request to: [email protected].

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