Yoga and Mabon: Embracing the Balance

Autumn has always been one of my favourite times of the year (I’m a Scorpio). But this year, despite spending the summer at festivals dancing under the sun, I still feel like I didn’t get enough of those long, warm, sunny days. I didn't spend enough time swimming and I didn’t get to kayak in the sunshine. Anyhoo, it’s still autumn, and there’s time to fit those things in — even if the water is a little chillier now.

With the arrival of Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, we’re invited to reflect on the balance between light and dark, day and night, and the shift from the heat of summer to the quieter, more reflective pace of autumn. And even if you’re like me, not quite ready to let go of summer, Mabon gives us the perfect opportunity to ease into this season.

What is Mabon?

Mabon, celebrated around the 21st-23rd of September, marks the moment when day and night are perfectly balanced. From here, the days will gradually shorten as we move toward winter. Traditionally, it’s a time to give thanks for the year’s ‘harvest’ — both literally and metaphorically — while preparing for the slower, more introspective period ahead.

Mabon was all about celebrating the abundance of the earth and getting ready for winter. While most of us aren’t out there harvesting crops (and if you are - I’m jealous - slugs ate everything I planted this year), we can still embrace this time.

Autumn Reflection Through Yoga

Here’s how I’m sprinkling the spirit of Mabon into my practice, and how you can too:

1. Balancing Postures

Starting with the obvious: the Autumn Equinox is all about balance. Balancing poses remind us to stay grounded while also embracing wobbles, doubt, uneven ground.

My favourite balancing postures are Half Moon (with a block) and Dancer Pose.

Reflect on the duality of Mabon — light and dark, active and restful. Where can we bring more balance into our lives? What’s been growing and flourishing in our lives that we want to keep nourishing, and what do we need to let go of?

Half moon pose

2. Restorative Yoga for Slowing Down

While part of me is still hanging on to brat summer, I'm feeling this pull to slow down in my personal yoga practice. I'm researching an intensive yin teacher training for that reason. Restorative yoga is one of my favourite ways to honour that need for rest.

Poses like my fav Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani) allow us to take a deep breath, settle into these longer holds, and let the earth (or a wall) support us as we rest. In my day retreats I like to use a tree for this pose - have a go if you’ve got one handy.

Legs up the tree pose at one of my day retreats

3. Meditation and Mindful Walks

One of my weekly Mabon rituals is a mindful forest walk with Fox. I try not to think about daily tasks, listen to music or check my phone, and just concentrate on the experience. This season is gorgeous in Yorkshire and Lancashire. The trees turn all different shades of orange, brown, red, and yellow. Walking through the woods and soaking in the colours feels like a moving meditation. The act of forest bathing, immersing in nature’s stillness, helps me find a scrap of that same peace.

4. Autumnal Rituals and Seasonal Drinks

Mabon is the perfect time to introduce some autumnal pratyahara rituals into your yoga practice.

Pratyahara - or sense withdrawal- is the fifth of the eight limbs of yoga that put simply means 'sense withdrawal'. I interpret that to be all about removing all of the sensory input we have in our days and focusing just on one thing. I'm almost always scrolling or reading emails while I drink my morning coffee, or watching something on TV while I eat.

One of my favourite tiny acts of pratyahara is to drink a warm tea, coffee, apple juice or cacao with no other input at all. If you’re all about pumpkin spice, that’s a lovely way to honour the season with seasonal spices - low key I think the online eye rolling over girls who post about PSLs when autumn comes around is pretty sexist.

Drinking something warm and grounding can really anchor you in the present, bringing a sense of comfort and gratitude for the season.

Let it go

Mabon is a beautiful invitation to embrace balance and reflection. And even though I’m not quite ready to let summer go, autumn has its own magic. Whether it’s a kayak trip on a crisp autumn morning or a mindful walk through the woods, this season is full of opportunities to connect with both nature and yourself.

As we honour the balance between light and dark, I hope you find time to reflect on your own personal ‘harvest’ and prepare for the slower, quieter months ahead - whether through yoga or a warm cup of apple juice. Mabon is a gentle reminder to slow down, give thanks, and find peace in the present.

For autumn day retreats we’re sold out for October but November still has a couple of places. The day includes gorgeous seasonal hot food, restful sequences and a forest bathing walk with an expert guest. Select the retreat title for details or book on below if you’re interested in spending a full day celebrating the season with me.

How are you celebrating Mabon through your practice? Pop a comment and chat to me below ✨