The air turns crisp. The days shorten. The trees begin their graceful release — a quiet letting go that reminds us how beautiful change can be. Welcome to Fall / Metal season.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the year continues its cycle through five phases, and now we enter the reflective clarity of Metal — the element of refinement, boundaries, and breath.
After the expansive warmth of Fire and the rich nourishment of Earth, Metal brings focus. It’s the season of gathering, sorting, and distilling. Of finding structure, breathing deeply, and releasing what no longer serves.

What Is Fall / Metal Season in TCM?

The Lungs draw in the pure, fresh energy of fall — crisp air, clarity, and inspiration. The Large Intestine helps us release what’s no longer needed, making space for renewal. Together, they teach us how to breathe with purpose and let go with grace.

  • Organs: Lungs (intake, inspiration, breath) and Large Intestine (elimination, letting go)
  • Element: Metal — clear, sharp, precise, reflective
  • Emotion: Grief — the gentle ache that comes with change and release
  • Seasonal Tone: Cooling, contracting, clarifying, introspective

The Metal Meridians
Each organ system in TCM has an energy pathway (meridian) that we can awaken through movement, breath, and awareness.

  • Lung Meridian: Begins in the chest, travels down the inner arm, ending at the thumb — governing breath, openness, and the courage to take in life fully.
  • Large Intestine Meridian: Begins at the index finger, travels up the arm to the shoulder and neck, ending beside the nose — guiding release, discernment, and emotional clarity.

These meridians remind us that every inhale and exhale is a cycle of receiving and releasing — a rhythm mirrored by the falling leaves.

How This Season Shapes Our Yoga Practice
Fall invites us inward — to quiet strength, steady breath, and deliberate movement. Our classes this season will focus on:

  • Chest and shoulder openers — to free the lungs and expand the breath.
  • Twists and forward folds — to support elimination and release.
  • Grounding postures — to stabilize as the winds of change arrive.
  • Breathwork (Pranayama) — lengthening the exhale to calm and clear the mind.
  • Stillness and reflection — meditative moments to honor impermanence and transition.

Expect slower, more deliberate flows that emphasize breath and awareness — moving with the same mindfulness nature shows us this time of year.

In the Studio (and in the Season)
Fall is the perfect time to bring the season onto the mat — with simple touches that anchor us to nature’s rhythm.
Practice surrounded by candles, small pumpkins, or even a few fallen leaves gathered from your walk. Breathe in the scent of apple or clove, feel the ground beneath you, and let the season become part of your ritual.
If the air outside is crisp and dry, hydrate and support your lungs — drink warm teas, add moisture to the air, and give yourself space to rest.

Off the Mat (Living with the Season)
TCM teaches that living in tune with the seasons brings harmony and health. In the fall, that means:

  • Honor the breath: Step outside and breathe deeply. Let the lungs expand.
  • Simplify: Declutter your home, your schedule, your mind.
  • Eat warm, moist foods: Think soups, stews, pears, and root vegetables.
  • Stay hydrated: Autumn air can be dry; keep your inner landscape nourished.
  • Feel what arises: Grief or tenderness may surface now — it’s natural. Let it move through you.

The Heart of the Season
Fall reminds us that letting go is not loss — it’s renewal.
Each leaf that falls makes space for the next spring’s growth.
Each exhale prepares the body for the next breath.
This is the beauty of Metal — clarity, simplicity, breath, and release.
Welcome to the season of refinement.

See you on the mat, in the glow of candlelight and the quiet strength of fall.

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