Autumn Seasonal Training
I remember when the nurse first handed me my son. I turned to my husband and said, “Isn’t it bizarre we’re not given a manual when we birth a baby?”
That thought still lingers with me, especially when I see how people create their own scattered rules for living: nutritional preferences, exercise hacks, cold plunges, bedtime rituals, endless supplements. We’re all just… guessing.
And while we might tell ourselves we’re “doing good enough,” we have to ask ourselves…
Is “good enough” a pathway toward health or a slow drift into illness?
Where’s our Aging Manual?
Once, we had one. Not a book on a shelf, but living guides in the form of elders and community.
We were taught which plants could heal and which could harm. We learned to rise with the sun and rest with the moon. As a community we learned to down regulate through drumming, dance and song. We learned how to give birth and we learned how to die.
Not to romanticize the past but we were immersed in a web of generations; younger ones showing curiosity, older ones offering wisdom. In that rhythm, health was not something you had to guess at… it was modeled, lived, and passed down.
But somewhere along the way, we lost that inheritance. Now we scroll for wellness “gurus,” grab at quick fixes online, and search for answers in isolation. Perhaps that’s the deeper wound: we were never meant to age alone.
Your living roadmap
The truth is, we do have manuals, if we choose to look back and listen. One of my favorite guides is the Huangdi Neijing (黄帝内经), especially Chapter Two of the Suwen: “The Great Treatise on Regulating the Spirit with the Four Seasons” (四氣調神大論).
It reads less like abstract philosophy and more like a seasonal guide for living: when to rise, when to rest, how to move, how to eat, and how to align spirit with the cycles of nature. These teachings were shaped by centuries of clinical observation and the patterns of people living in close harmony with the earth.
As Autumn teaches us, this is the season of clarity, of harvest, of letting go of what’s unnecessary, and of preparing space for what sustains. What if we treated the Su Wen as our roadmap, blending its ancient science with the best of our modern medical knowledge?
Because maybe the point is not to “guess” at health anymore. Maybe the point is to remember.
Remembering Autumn
Autumn reminds us to slow down (very against our Western culture, I know). But at a time when we’re to ‘harvest’ our health, I want to give you three Seasonal Qi Tips that you can use this Autumn Season for better health.
LIFESTYLE
Rise early, retire early (Su Wen, Chapter 2): In Autumn, the classics advise going to bed earlier and rising earlier to align with shorter days. This preserves Lung Qi and prepares the body for Winter storage.
TRY THIS MORNING ROUTINE → When you wake, massage the ribcage, shoulders and armpits for 3-5 minute while seated at the end of the bed. Don’t go fast as it is suggested to wake with no stress or excitement. Just massage and then stretch the torso with deep breaths. Once settled, get up and see how much better you’re breathing.
MOVEMENT
Shift toward refinement over exertion: In Autumn, swap high-output exercise for breath-focused practices. In Bamboo Bodies, we train with slower movement that encourages control.
TRY THIS EXERCISE → Breath-led slow squats. Inhale as you sit slowly. Once you are fully seated, you should be a the ‘height of the inhale’. Pause then exhale strongly and slowly time your rise with the exhalation. At the full height of your stance, you should be completely out of air. Pause and repeat again. It tougher than you think.
NUTRITION
Moisten the Lung with seasonal foods: Pears, honey, sesame seeds, almonds, and white mushrooms are all Lung-nourishing and help with dryness.
TRY THIS TEA → To make Lü dou 綠豆, bring 4 cups of water to a boil and then add in 3 sprigs fresh thyme, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 sprig rosemary & add some honey. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain tea, discarding solids. Serve hot, sweetened with a small amount of honey, if desired.
Give each one a go and see how your mornings, workouts and body feels with a little seasonal shift. I’ve got more coming to you via my Seasonal Neuro-Qi Course. ⬇️
Ready to Take the Next Step? 🍂
At Bamboo Bodies, we help you build the foundation for aging better with science & tradition. Train to live with the seasons for less inflammation, better sleep & a calmer mindset.
The Seasonal Neuro-Qi Course blends:
Brain-based movement that sharpens coordination, balance, and strength
Qigong & seasonal practices to align with your body’s natural rhythms
A smarter approach to health with recipes & teas that will boost your immune system
👉 Check out the Seasonal Neuro-Qi Course today and start aligning with Autumn’s rhythm. [CLICK HERE]
