Planning Ahead: Considerations for October 2025
Contributing to the victory of light over dark by addressing the foundational cause of suffering.
Contents
October Highlights
Seasonal Dosha-Balancing
Moon Phases
Holidays & Observations
A Timely Theme: Avidya
Applying Knowledge of Seasons & Cycles
Customizable Content that You Can Distribute
Boost Your Impact — Premium Resources Just a Click Away from $19
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 - Midpoint between equinox & solstice
Depending upon your time zone, this observance occurs on October 31st or November 1st.
Samhain in northern hemisphere.
Beltane in southern hemisphere
Beltane and Samhain divide the year into the “dark part” and “light part.”
Samhain is about honoring death.
Beltane is about honoring life.
Get teaching toolkits:
More Timely Resources
Shareable Newsletter (link is on member home page)
Additional downloadable planning tools are complementary with membership.
A Timely Theme: Avidya
Diwali celebrates the victory of light over dark. What is meant by “darkness” in this context? Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati pointed to that which obscures the light from our view, the lack of awareness of who we truly are, and the ignorance which leads to suffering. As yoga teachers know, this is a description of avidya.
Avidya is commonly described as an error in spiritual perception — the error of regarding the non-self as the Self. It is considered the foundational issue from which the other kleshas (obstacles or veils) arise.
Yoga sutra 2.5
Ignorance is regarding the impermanent as permanent, the impure as pure, the painful as pleasant, and the non-Self as the Self.
Translated by Sri Swami Satchidananda
Yoga philosophy regards avidya as the fundamental cause of suffering. The purpose of practice is to reduce and eliminate avidya.
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.
You can simply become aware of the current natural phenomena. You may begin to make observations and associations with the energy of this phase.
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.
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.
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:
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
Explore teachings and curations to support your intention. Seasonal Yoga & Calendars Hub.
Choose an asana focus and select a sequence. Planning & Sequencing Hub (And teaching toolkits include suggestions)
Invite students to the theme-based class.
Create a class plan. Class Builder
Set aside time before class for personal practice (no matter how brief) to ensure you are embodying the teachings. Personal Practice & Study
Customizable Content that You Can Distribute
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