09/22/2026
🍂 HAPPY AUTUMN EQUINOX — THE SEASON OF LETTING GO 🍂
Today, September 22, we welcome the Autumn Equinox, a beautiful turning point as we move from the outward energy of summer toward the quieter, more reflective energy of fall.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn is connected to the Metal Element, a season of refinement, reflection and, perhaps most importantly, letting go.
Just as the trees release their leaves, autumn invites us to ask:
What am I ready to release? What am I still holding onto? And what would I like to make space for?
Metal is associated with the emotions of grief and sadness. These emotions are a natural part of being human. We aren't meant to avoid them, we can acknowledge them, breathe with them, move with them, and allow them to move through us.
As we release, we create room for some of the beautiful qualities associated with balanced Metal energy: inspiration, courage, clarity and strength.
In Chinese Medicine, Metal is also associated with:
Color: White
Yin Organ: Lungs
Yang Organ: Large Intestine
Season: Autumn
Climate: Dryness
Tissue: Skin
Emotion: Grief & Sadness
Virtues: Courage & Inspiration
The Lungs remind us of the beautiful rhythm of receiving and releasing. We breathe in what nourishes us and exhale what we no longer need.
The Large Intestine carries that same theme of letting go, while the skin represents our outer boundary with the world. In Chinese Medicine, the Lungs are also connected with Wei Qi, our protective or defensive Qi, making autumn a traditional time to nourish Lung Qi and prepare ourselves for the cooler months ahead.
This fall, we'll be exploring the Metal Element more deeply in our Chi-lates and Qigong & Tai Chi Flow classes through breathwork, gentle movement, meditation and flowing practices designed to help us turn inward, release and reconnect.
As we enter this new season, maybe the question isn't simply:
What do I need to let go of?
But also…
What am I ready to breathe in?
May this season bring you the courage to release what has run its course, and the space to welcome something new.
Breathe • Release • Receive