Autumn Yin Yoga Flow for Harmonizing Your Inner Metal Element

In Taoism, the Metal element is associated with the autumn season, a time of reflection and release. Just as trees shed their leaves to prepare for winter, the Metal element encourages us to let go of what no longer serves us. This process of letting go is not about loss but about making space for new growth and opportunities. It’s a reminder that holding on to the past can weigh us down, while releasing it can bring clarity and peace.

Letting go, inspired by the Metal element, is a powerful act of self-care. It invites us to recognize the impermanence of life and embrace change with grace. When we let go of old habits, grudges, or fears, we free ourselves from unnecessary burdens. This act of release allows us to move forward with a lighter heart and a clearer mind. It’s about trusting the natural flow of life and understanding that every ending is a new beginning.

Embracing the quality of letting go can transform our lives. It teaches us to live in the present moment and appreciate the beauty of now. By letting go, we open ourselves to new experiences and possibilities. While the habit of holding on can be strong, reflecting on our lives reveals that courageous moments of letting go often transform into beautiful gifts.

Governing the Lungs and Large Intestine, Metal energy nurtures our breath and fortifies our body. By harmonizing Metal, we enhance the quality of our breath and life force energy, offering a powerful boost to our immune system.

Balancing your inner Metal Element can be a transformative journey. To support you, I’ve created this nurturing 60-minute Yin Yoga & Meditation class plan to inspire your practice and teaching 🍂🧘

Arrive to Your Mat

Feel yourself settling onto your mat.

Take some moments to acknowledge with warmth and kindness the state of your body, mind, and heart.

Tune into your breath. Feel its quality, notice its length.

Without forcing, see if you can balance the duration of your inhalations and exhalations.

Gently and naturally stretch out your exhalations so they’re slightly longer than your inhalations.

With each extended exhale, practice letting go of anything holding you back from this moment.

Allow any judgments, could’ve-would’ve-should’ve beens, to release with each exhale.

With each extended exhale, you activate your body’s natural rest-renewal-heal response.

Dedicate a few minutes to allowing yourself this time to breathe deeply and rejuvenate.

Counterpose: Seated Windshield Wipers, harmonizing your breath and movement to free the hips & legs - 1min

Invitations to Mindfulness

Letting go is not always easy, but on our Yin Yoga mat, we can call on our breath as a gentle guide and teacher. With its soothing rhythm, we learn that clinging too tightly only creates unnecessary tension and resistance. Each inhale and exhale remind us of the natural ebb and flow of life. As we practice letting go, we surrender to the breath’s flow, embracing a newfound sense of freedom and lightness.

While holding the poses, you might return to the breathwork technique, nurturing your natural ability to let go.

To rebalance the Element of Metal within you, gently guide your attention and breath along the pathways of sensation. Feel the energy flow through your torso, shoulders, arms, and wrists. Embrace this practice with mindfulness and intention, knowing that each breath and each moment of relaxed, focused attention brings you closer to inner harmony and balance.

Counterpose: Sitting Beetle - 1min

Counterpose: Closed Knee Beetle - 1-2min

Counterpose: Sitting Beetle - 1min

Counterpose: Heart Beacon -1min, between sides

Counterpose: Savasana - 1-2min

Counterpose: Sitting Beetle - 1min, between sides (to rest shoulders)

Counterpose: Sideways Beetle - 1min

Try this soothing Yoga Nidra technique as a pathway into a deep and relaxing Savasana experience:

Bring your awareness to your feet.

Gently invite all tensions to melt away, starting with your right foot, then your left.

Move your awareness up through your legs…

Let go through your right lower leg, then your left lower leg.

Continue with your right upper leg, then your left, feeling the release.

Sense all the tensions flowing out of both legs simultaneously.

Now the hips. Allow the tension to dissolve from your right hip, then your left hip.

Relax both hips, simultaneously.

Continue…gradually scan upward through the rest of your body…your mind…and your heart, inviting release, feeling the freedom in letting go.

Let your entire being steep in the warmth of complete relaxation.

Class Closing: Take a few moments to appreciate the wonderful benefits of your practice. Feel the calmness and ease within every part of yourself. Reflect about how you can bring this gentle, letting-go energy into the rest of your day or week.

Would you like to go deeper?

If you'd like to learn more, I invite you to join me for my live online 40HR Yin Yoga & Meditation Teacher Training. Whether you're a practitioner or yoga teacher, you're welcome to join! For program details and registration, please visit HERE ☯

You might also enjoy my book Yin Yoga & Meditation available on Amazon.