Back to School Routine: How to Ease into Daily Practice After Summer
- Devy
- Sep 3
- 5 min read
The long, lazy days of summer are beginning to fade and we progressively enter a new season, many of us feel the familiar tug of returning to structured routines. Whether it's heading back to school, settling into work rhythms or simply craving more organisation in our daily lives, this transition doesn't have to be jarring or filled with pressure.
Instead of diving headfirst into rigid schedules or overwhelming ourselves with dramatic lifestyle changes, we can embrace a gentler approach - one that honours the natural rhythms of the season and our own inner wisdom.
Gentle Transitions
Summer often brings a different pace to our lives. We stay up later, sleep in longer, eat meals at irregular times, and generally allow ourselves more flexibility. Rather than abruptly abandoning this relaxed state, consider creating a bridge between summer's freedom and autumn's structure.
Start by gradually shifting one small aspect of your routine each day. Perhaps wake up fifteen minutes earlier this week, begin preparing meals at more regular times, or simply create small moments of grounding throughout your day. This gentle approach allows your body and mind to adjust naturally, reducing the stress and resistance that often come with sudden changes.
Remember: sustainable routines are built slowly, with patience and self-compassion.
Ayurvedic Tips for Autumn Wellness and Routine
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers profound insights into how we can harmoniously transition between seasons. According to Ayurvedic principles, late summer and early autumn represent a shift from Pitta season (hot, intense, fiery) to Vata season (cool, dry, mobile).
During this transition, our bodies and minds need grounding and stability to counterbalance Vata's naturally unsettling qualities. Here's how to support yourself:
Embrace Routine as Medicine
In Ayurveda, routine (dinacharya) is considered one of the most powerful tools for maintaining health and balance. This doesn't mean rigid adherence to strict schedules, but creating gentle rhythms that support your natural constitution. Focus on consistent meal times, regular sleep schedules, and daily practices that anchor you.
Nourish with Warm, Grounding Foods
As the weather begins to cool, shift toward more warming, grounding options: cooked grains, root vegetables, warm spices like ginger and cinnamon, and nourishing soups and stews. We're not talking about strict dietary rules but more about listening to your body's natural cravings as the season changes.
Cultivate Warmth and Moisture Vata season tends to be dry and cool, so focus on activities that bring warmth and moisture to your system. Warm oil massages (abhyanga), steamy baths and staying well-hydrated all help balance the drying qualities of the season.
Releasing the Old to Make Space for the New
One of the most powerful aspects of seasonal transition is the opportunity to release what we no need. Just as trees naturally shed their leaves, we too can let go of summer patterns that may have become stagnant or habits that drain our energy.
No harsh judgment or dramatic elimination but gentle awareness and conscious choice. The full moon energy amplifies our natural ability to release and transform, making it an ideal time for practices that support letting go.
Yin yoga, with its emphasis on deep, sustained poses, creates both physical and energetic space for release. Combined with the healing vibrations of sound therapy, these practices help you shed summer's accumulated tensions while preparing your system for autumn's grounding energy.
To support this transition, I invite you to join me on Sunday, September 7th for our Full Moon Yin Yoga and Sound Healing session at Yoga Room. This practice is specifically designed to help you slow down, release tension and balance emotions. A gentle yet powerful ritual to realign with yourself, creating space for the new routines and intentions you wish to cultivate.
Finding Your Pace Without the Pressure
The pressure to "get back on track" after summer can create unnecessary stress and set us up for failure. Instead of viewing this transition as a chance to completely overhaul your life, see it as an opportunity to mindfully return to practices that serve you.
Listen to your energy: some days you'll feel ready to tackle your full routine, other days you might need more flexibility. Honour these natural fluctuations rather than forcing yourself into rigid patterns that don't account for your actual needs.
Start small with one or two areas of focus. Maybe it's returning to a regular bedtime or taking a few minutes each morning for mindful breathing. Once these feel natural, you can gradually add other elements.
Most importantly, release the all-or-nothing mindset. Progress isn't linear, and there will be days when your routine falls apart completely. This is normal and human. The practice is in gently returning to your intentions without self-judgment, again and again.
Returning to Your Yoga Practice: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Discipline
For many, summer's relaxed pace means that regular yoga practice has taken a backseat to beach days and travel. As you consider returning to your mat, let these timeless yogic teachings guide you back with patience and purpose:
"The success of yoga does not lie in the ability to attain the perfect posture, but in the aspiration to practice with dedication." - T.K.V. Desikachar
"Practice and all is coming." - Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
"Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life." - B.K.S. Iyengar
The word "discipline" in yoga doesn't mean harsh self-control. Instead, it refers to abhyasa—consistent, devoted practice performed with love and without attachment to results. Discipline becomes a form of self-care, a way of showing up for yourself regularly.
Start where you are, not where you think you should be. If you haven't practiced in months, begin with just five or ten minutes on your mat. The physical postures are just one aspect of yoga: breathing, meditation and simply showing up with intention are equally valuable.
Allow your practice to ebb and flow like the seasons themselves. Some days might call for dynamic movement, others for gentle stretching or restorative poses that help you release and restore.
Creating Sustainable Habits for the Season Ahead
As you move into this new season, remember that the goal isn't to create a perfect routine you'll follow without deviation. Instead, you're cultivating a flexible framework that can support you through life's natural ups and downs.
Consider this transition period as experimentation. Try different approaches, notice what works and what doesn't, and adjust accordingly. The routine that helps you in September might need modification by November, and that's perfectly natural.
By attuning to these seasonal shifts, we can optimise our physical and mental well-being, using this transition as an opportunity for gentle renewal. Yoga, pranayama and mindful nutrition are powerful tools to transform our inner landscape: releasing stagnant energy and creating space for growth.
The rhythm of nature teaches us that sustainable change is not a passive experience, but an active choice. You too have the power to create routines that serve your highest good, without the pressure of perfection.
This season offers a beautiful window of opportunity - a moment to realign, reset and step into your most grounded self. If you're feeling scattered, seeking structure or simply curious about creating more balance, now is the time to take that first gentle step.
Are you ready to embrace this transition with grace?
Join me on Sunday, September 7th for our Full Moon Yin Yoga and Sound Healing session at Yoga Room, where we will integrate these powerful practices of release and renewal. Reserve your spot today and honour this sacred time of transition!
Comments