Yoga exercises in autumn for more positive energy

Yoga puts you in a good mood. Probably one of the main reasons why you love your practice so much. Science also confirms the positive effect of yoga on our mood, as GEO magazine's article "How and why does yoga work?" confirms.

Now that the days are getting shorter again, it's all the more important to recharge your energy regularly. Yoga is a great source of positive thoughts and renewed energy. In this article, you'll learn how yoga affects your energy flow and which yoga exercises you can use to enhance this effect in autumn.

Out of the slump

You've had a relaxing weekend, grilled with friends, and enjoyed the last rays of sunshine. On Sunday evening, you're sitting comfortably on your couch with a cup of tea, resolving to start the next week full of energy and enthusiasm.

But by Monday morning, the positive energy from the previous evening had already evaporated. All the more reason to incorporate a sun salutation into your morning routine. Just 10 minutes of yoga in the morning can bring a contented smile to your face. But why is that?

Why does yoga give you energy?

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Yoga is often viewed as a mere workout that simply improves physical fitness. However, the most important aspect of yoga practice is its spiritual philosophy. Those who delve deeper into the theory behind the asanas – the so-called "static postures" in yoga – quickly realize that yoga is not just fitness, but a way of life.

By combining asanas with the right mindset, you're literally turning on the tap and simultaneously removing all blockages that interrupt your energy flow. Your body releases endorphins, increases blood flow to your brain, and thus pays less attention to tiring thoughts.

Yoga also includes practices like Aparigraha, which means "letting go of thoughts." Through this kind of mindfulness, we can take care of our well-being and keep negative attitudes and feelings in check. This way, you need less energy to keep negative attitudes and feelings at bay and feel lighter and more balanced.

How to strengthen your energy flow with yoga

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Autumn is a time when we bid farewell to the hot summer temperatures and prepare for the cool winter days. The weather alternates between sunny with a fresh breeze and relentlessly stormy and wet. Autumn is a wonderful time of change.

It is the phase in which nature rids itself of what is no longer needed. Trees shed their leaves, the fallen leaves become a warm winter blanket and eventually decompose into compost, which enriches the soil. In this way, nature prepares itself for the next spring.

Our bodies also prepare for winter. We begin to withdraw and focus on what is essential. According to Eastern philosophy, autumn is governed by the so-called metal element: the associated organs are the lungs and the large intestine, which, on a spiritual level, reflect letting go and receiving energy.

For a good energy flow, we recommend maintaining a daily yoga routine, ideally at the same time every day. This will help you stay calm and balanced during times of change and transition.

Pay special attention to asanas that focus on the lungs and large intestine, strengthen your breathing and ensure you get enough sleep to replenish your energy reserves.

Six asanas for an energetic start to the day

The following yoga exercises will not only give you an energetic start to the day, but also help you overcome the afternoon slump. You should use them whenever you need a little energy boost.

1. The Cat-Cow Pose – Chakravakasana

Cat-cow is the pose in which you are on all fours and arch your spine up and down like a cat. This asana calms the mind and relaxes the nervous system. The gentle rhythm of the movement soothes you from within.

2. The Warrior – Vira Bhadrasana

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This asana is performed standing and is a fantastic exercise for relieving tension and stress. Start in Mountain Pose and take a large step forward. Your front leg is bent at a 90-degree angle while your back leg remains straight. Lengthen your spine and extend your arms overhead.

The warrior grounds your spirit, making you feel grounded and ready for new challenges.

3. The comfortable sitting posture – Sukhasana (variation)

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Sitting cross-legged is a relaxing and comfortable posture, making it ideal for morning meditation. Opening your chest and shoulders in this position also helps you gather energy for the day ahead.

To do this, place your fingertips on the floor behind you. Your elbows should be slightly bent and drawn towards each other. As you inhale, press your fingers into the floor and arch your back. Open your chest and look upwards. After a few mindful breaths, you will feel positive energy flowing through your body.

4. The Goddess Pose – Utkata Konasana

In this posture, both feet are firmly rooted in the ground, helping you feel grounded. The spine is straight, and the navel is drawn in, lengthening the body and releasing tension. Arms and hands are extended upwards, giving you a sense of stability in your back and shoulders.

Your chest is wide open, you breathe deeply and feel inner balance. You feel strong, like a goddess.

5. The Happy Baby – Ananda Balasana

Lie on your back and draw your knees to your chest. Grasp your feet with your hands, open your hips, and begin to gently rock back and forth. The gentle massage of your spine will help you relax. Holding your knees also gives you a feeling of security.

6. The Shoulder Bridge – Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

All back-flexing poses help release endorphins. They help reduce stress and anxiety and increase well-being. This also applies to the shoulder bridge.

To get into the shoulder bridge, lie on your back and position your hands beside your body. Draw your feet close to your buttocks and then lift your hips off the floor so that only your feet, shoulders, and head are in contact with the surface. To make this pose even more comfortable, you can place a yoga block under your buttocks.

Take a few deep breaths before slowly rolling your back down and returning to the starting position. Breathing exercises can also help you gain more energy in everyday life.

How can I achieve more energy and relaxation through breathing exercises?

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It's not called the 'breath of life' for nothing. Breathing is one of our body's most vital survival functions. It affects the oxygen content in our blood and therefore all our organs, including our brain. A deep breath thus has a positive effect on our entire body.

Pranayama, the yoga of breath, offers similar benefits to meditation. The rhythmic guidance of the breath supports oxygen intake. When practiced regularly, this technique alleviates anxiety, increases vitality, improves concentration, and combats insomnia.

A good introductory exercise is the "Breath of Fire." Begin with this pranayama for just 30 seconds. Gradually increase the duration over time so that your body can get used to the breathing technique and you don't feel dizzy.

This is how the «Breath of Fire» works:

1. Sit upright and create space between your navel and heart.

2. Take a few relaxing breaths through your nose to arrive in the present moment. Make sure your abdomen expands and contracts with your breath. As you inhale, imagine your diaphragm is like an air-filled balloon.

3. Gradually increase your breathing rate. Try inhaling and exhaling at the same pace to establish a rhythm.

4. After 30 seconds, let your breathing return to a natural pace.

In our article "3 breathing exercises for more stamina in everyday life" you will find further pranayama exercises that you can easily try at home.

Evening yoga improves your sleep

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Are you still caught up in the summer rhythm and finding it hard to wind down in the evenings? Pranayama can help you fall asleep faster. Combined with the following exercises, nothing will stand in the way of a restful sleep, allowing you to recharge your energy at night:

1. Legs against the wall – Viparita Karani

This relaxing exercise soothes your nervous system and simultaneously stimulates your blood circulation. To do this, lie on your back, push your buttocks close to the wall, and then extend your legs upwards.

2. Reclining Butterfly Pose – Bhadrasana

The butterfly pose calms the brain and reduces mental activity. This asana is also performed lying down. If you have previously done Viparita Karani, slide slightly away from the wall for the butterfly pose. Then bend your legs, let your knees fall outwards, and actively press the soles of your feet together.

3. Corpse Pose – Shavasana

Then lower your legs again and stretch them out slightly, along with your arms. Your palms should be facing upwards. Pay attention to how your body feels on the surface and breathe slowly and deeply.

Shavasana gives you a moment to feel the effects of all the previous exercises. That's why this asana is best suited for the end of your practice.

Hold each of these poses for about two minutes immediately before going to sleep for a deep and restful sleep.

Yoga in autumn – time to let go

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Yoga philosophy, with its breathing exercises and asanas, helps you prepare for the colder seasons and to keep pace with the changing of nature.

Let things flow instead of clinging to them. The flow of energy is a cycle and will continually revitalize you if you learn to let go.

Use this transition period to let go of the old and focus on what's essential. Create a yoga routine that relaxes you while simultaneously energizing you...

And don't forget your LUVIYO!