In Yoga Sutra II.1, Patañjali speaks of Svādhyāya — the practice of studying, observing, and understanding ourselves.

I really like this idea when I think about September.

Last month, At Ha’s chose Inner Comfort, a theme about finding a place of greater ease and steadiness within ourselves.

This month, I want to go a little deeper. Because there are things we can only truly see and understand about ourselves when we slow down enough to look.

And so, for September, At Ha’s chose Autumn Reflection.

In Ayurveda, Ritucharya — living and adjusting ourselves according to the rhythms of the seasons — is an important part of the practice.

Whenever the weather changes, our body doesn’t simply stay the same. Temperature, humidity, rain, sunshine and daylight can all influence our appetite, digestion, energy, sleep, and even the way we feel like moving.

September in Saigon is not exactly “autumn” in the way we usually imagine it. We still have many rainy days, high humidity, with periods of sunshine and heat in between. But it is exactly during these changing times that I find the idea of Ritucharya becomes very practical.

If we pay enough attention, and have a little understanding of Ayurveda, we can begin to make small adjustments to live more in harmony with what is happening in nature around us.

Perhaps this is why, for me, living with the seasons can also be a practice of Svādhyāya.

Instead of doing everything out of habit, we begin to observe:

How is the weather changing?
And how is my body responding to that change?

Sometimes it is as simple as choosing something warmer to eat on a rainy day. Choosing a practice that feels like enough when the body feels heavy. Going to bed a little earlier when our energy is low. Or simply recognising that today, we need rest.

Very small things, but they all begin with whether or not we are paying attention to ourselves.

And when I look at all the programmes At Ha’s is preparing, I suddenly realise that they are all moving with the same energy this September:

to observe, to learn, and to understand ourselves a little better.