Planning Ahead: Considerations for October 2025

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Contents

1. October Highlights

2. Seasonal Dosha-Balancing

3. Moon Phases

4. Holidays & Observations

5. Applying Knowledge of Seasons & Cycles

6. We’re Happy to Be Your Research Assistant

7. Boost Your Impact — Premium Resources Just a Click Away from $19

8. Recent Newsletters

October Highlights

• Northern hemisphere: Vata Season

• Southern hemisphere: Kapha Season

• Diwali

• Samhain (northern hemisphere) / Beltane (southern hemisphere)

Seasonal Dosha-Balancing

Northern Hemisphere

• Vata-balancing practices

• Vata-balancing asana (poses)

Southern Hemisphere

• Kapha-balancing practices

• Kapha-balancing asana (poses)

Moon Phases

Aligning with Moon Phases

• Moon Phases (use quick menu to navigate)

Holidays & Observations

Oct 20th - Diwali

Diwali is also known as Deepawali / Deepavali and Festival of Lights. Diwali celebrates the victory of light over dark — knowledge over ignorance.

• “The name Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which literally means ‘rows of lighted diyas’.” [source]

• Diwali is the “most widely celebrated festival in India, with more than a billion people participating in its celebrations. People light lamps, enjoy feasts, visit their relatives and exchange gifts, creating happiness and prosperity for all.” [source]

• Diwali celebrates awareness of the “inner light,” the light of that which is pure, infinite and eternal, the Inner Spirit or Atman.

• Before Diwali, people clean their home and adorn it with attractive colors. “Every nook and corner in the home is lighted with clay diyas or electric lamps to expel darkness and ensure prosperity can see its way home.” [source no longer available]

• The festival is five days with day 3 being the highlight, occurring on the new moon at the end of October or beginning of November.

• There are different focuses and traditional activities for each of the five days.

• Teaching toolkit here.

Oct 31st / Nov 1st - Lunar & Solar Eclipses

• Eclipses always follow cycles and come in pairs (or sometimes 3). These pairs include a lunar eclipse, which falls on the full moon and a solar eclipse which falls on the new moon.

• In astrology, the new and full moons associated with eclipses are considered special. They may be described as new or full moons “on steroids,” with particularly significant or powerful effects.

• All of the planets in the solar system radiate energy into space. [Sciencing.com] The findings of astrologers are presumably the effects of this energy on other living things.

• “Eclipse Season” is the time between the two eclipses and may be called the “Eclipse Gateway.” Astrologer Tanaaz explains, “The Eclipse Gateway is one of the most potent and magical times of the year because the energy of both Eclipses merge, forming a bridge between one state of consciousness and the next. “

• Astrologers explain the effect of eclipse energy: “Twice a year, eclipses shake up the status quo to support your ongoing evolution and development.” [Molly McCord] “Eclipses… put you wherever you need to be, and highlight areas of your life that are no longer working for you. They do this in such a clear way that it helps to take the guess work out of it and allows you to know exactly which way the Universe wishes to steer you.” [Tanaaz]

• During eclipses, nature appears to be turning within.

• Eclipses are said to be a time when consciousness is turned inward, ideal times for spiritual practice.

• Spiritual practices associated with eclipses include mantra and meditation. [Siddha Yoga]

Sep 22nd - Equinox

The Spring and Fall Equinoxes are midpoints between the Summer and Winter Solstices. The word “equinox” comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).

At the Equinox, the tilt of the Earth’s axis is not inclined away nor toward the sun and the Earth’s two hemispheres receive the sun’s rays equally. All over the world at the Equinox, we experience approximately equal parts daylight and darkness.

• We can reflect on the balance of daylight and darkness at Equinox with asana that test and promote balance. Another option is twisting poses which are said to balance the nervous system.

• Another way to think of balance is in terms of energetic balance of activity and rest, or giving and receiving, for example.

More Timely Resources

• Shareable Newsletter

• Holidays & Observations: Descriptions & Themes

• Calendars + Seasonal Yoga Hub

• Downloadable planning tools are complementary with membership. Get them here.

Applying Knowledge of Seasons & Cycles

If you’re interested in aligning with natural events but not sure where to start, here are some ways you might engage, starting with simple awareness and progressing through more active involvement as desired.

1. You can simply become aware of the current natural phenomena. You may begin to make observations and associations with the energy of this phase.

2. You can go a little deeper by educating yourself on related themes and practices designed to align with the energy. You might experiment with practices on your own or in community.

3. You might be inspired to incorporate a particular element into your teaching or service work, such as a reading aligned with the theme, or a yoga pose, breathing practice or mantra, for example.

4. You can design a yoga class or other event that is fully aligned with the themes and energy of this phase.

Planning a Yoga Class

Are you interested in planning a class that is aligned with the themes or energies of a moon phase, seasonal event, holiday or other observation? Here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. Clear your mind and prepare to be open and creative by practicing / meditating. During or afterward, choose your class intention. Strategic Class Planning: A Process for Inviting Inspiration

2. Explore teachings and curations to support your intention. Seasonal Yoga & Calendars Hub.

3. Choose an asana focus and select a sequence. Planning & Sequencing Hub (And teaching toolkits include suggestions)

4. Invite students to the theme-based class.

5. Create a class plan. Class Builder

6. Set aside time before class for personal practice (no matter how brief) to ensure you are embodying the teachings. Personal Practice & Study

Customizable Newsletters that You Can Distribute

Monthly newsletter templates include seasonal topics. You have our permission to make them your own and distribute as you wish. They are completely customizable.

Boost Your Impact — Premium Resources Just a Click Away from $19

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Recent Newsletters

Yoga

1. Research on the Impact of Yoga Among Cancer Patients & Cancer Survivors — New cancer resources + Research on the impact of yoga among cancer patients and cancer survivors link

2. Teaching Present Moment Awareness — When the Light of awareness shows us what we don’t want to see or feel, what do we do? What happens if we choose to stay present? The power of Now and teaching present moment awareness. link

3. Integrity & Perseverance — Everything can be compromised, including yoga. How your integrity helps real yoga persevere. link

4. Adaptation Principles — “If you ask all the people in your session to do exactly the same posture in the same manner, it’s almost like asking them to wear the same shoes.” Principles for customization and adaptation of yoga for various uses and needs. link

5. Shadow Work — “Unconscious denial of any experience freezes some portion of our available energy in shadow.” Why shadow work (exploring the subconscious mind) is vital for improving our life, and how yoga helps. The subconscious mind is wildly powerful. And it doesn’t learn or function like the conscious mind. link

6. Research on Yoga's Impact on Heart Health — Brief summaries of 28 research publications on the safety and positive impacts of yoga, meditation and breathing practices on heart disease & heart health. link

7. Energy Philosophy — Why Do We Have Energy? Where Does it Come From? Subtle Energy from a Yoga Perspective. link

8. Asana Benefit — Teaching the verifiable benefits of yoga poses to reduce stress, increase concentration, reduce chronic pain and inflammation, and much more. link

Health & Wellness

1. Research on Cancer Reversal & Recovery Successes — 180 references on clinical studies demonstrating more than 40 successful treatments including nutrients, repurposed drugs, & essential oils link

2. Health & Wellness Techniques & Therapies — When you’re considering options for responding to an illness or imbalance, you’ve got nearly 200 health & wellness techniques to choose from. Get evidence-based resources here. link

3. Let’s work together and do things better — Calling all yoga therapists and teachers, doctors and healthcare providers, coaches, and anyone who offers health and wellness support. More people are aware that establishment medicine has contributed to skyrocketing chronic illness. They’re realizing they need more knowledge & better solutions. We can do better. link

4. Placebo & Nocebo Effects — Extensive research on placebo effects and sham surgery provide invaluable data for optimizing conditions for healing. link

5. Root Cause Index — Root Cause Index: No more drugs to mask symptoms while the causes remain unresolved, resulting in more serious illnesses. By dealing with root causes, the body restores functioning & health returns. link

6. Vitamin D — Vitamin D’s functions are so foundational and essential as to be virtually indistinguishable from bodily functioning as a whole. Get the key facts here and get your un-sunscreened skin in the sun. link

7. Toxins & Detoxing — Establishment doctors weren't taught about toxins or detoxing. We need to educate ourselves and our clients, so that we're all making informed choices. link

For more: Newsletter Archive