Reconnecting with Nature to Restore Our Inner Rhythm

Lately, I have found myself drawn more deeply to the elements around me. It feels as if a part of me is intertwined with them, and in turn, they bring me closer to my true self. Each element participates in the changing seasons, reflecting the shifts happening inside and outside of us. The colors of the forest deepen as roots grow stronger beneath the surface, nourished by abundant rains. The animal kingdom roams freely, inviting us to pause and explore the teachings they may be sharing with us. This connection between the natural world and our inner rhythm offers a powerful reminder of the cycles that shape all life.

Roots and autumn leaves on the forest floor, showing seasonal change and natural cycles

The Changing Seasons & Our Inner Landscape

The seasons do more than mark time; they influence the very core of living systems. As the landscape shifts from summer’s warmth to autumn’s cool embrace, trees respond by strengthening their root systems. This underground growth supports the visible changes above, like leaves turning rich shades of red and gold. Similarly, our inner landscape shifts with the seasons. We may feel more grounded and reflective in autumn, just as the forest prepares for winter.

This natural cycle encourages us to slow down and nurture ourselves. When rains fall, it brings life to the soil, just as moments of rest and reflection nourish our minds and bodies. Recognizing this parallel helps us honor our own rhythms instead of resisting them.

The Breath as a Bridge

Breath is a simple yet profound way to connect with the flow of life. Every inhale and exhale mirrors the expansion and contraction found throughout nature. This universal wave of life moves through us and around us, linking our internal systems with the world outside.

Our heartbeats keep time with this rhythm, creating a steady cadence that echoes the cycles of day and night, growth and rest. When we bring conscious awareness to our breath, we join this flow. This practice can ground us in the present moment and deepen our sense of belonging to the natural world, along with bringing more peace and harmony inside and out!

The Animal Kingdom’s Invitation to Inner Exploration

Animals move through their environments with a natural ease that invites us to slow down and observe. Watching their movements can guide us inward, encouraging a deeper awareness of our own instincts and feelings.

For example, the steady pace of a deer walking through the forest can inspire calm and mindfulness. The playful energy of birds in flight reminds us to embrace freedom and lightness. These moments of connection help us tune into the rhythms of life that pulse within us. And deeper still, a beautiful guidebook, Animal Speaks by Ted Andrews, who wonderfully shares specific animal/bird totems in a more meaningful way of what may be surfacing in your internal landscapes to assist in moving us forward.

Practical Ways to Align with Nature’s Rhythms

• Spend time outdoors regularly: Notice the changes in light, temperature, and color around you.

• Practice mindful breathing: Use your breath to connect deep in your low belly, to begin bringing in the natural flow of expansion and contraction, to help bring you into deeper contact with your body while consciously breathing.

• Observe natural cycles: Watch a plant grow, or how animals move, or a tree's expression, and reflect on how these cycles mirror your own experience in the moment.

• Create rituals that honor seasons: Adjust your daily habits to match the energy of each season, such as resting more in winter or being active in spring.

• Journal your observations: Writing about your experiences with nature can deepen your understanding of your internal rhythms.

  
  

Finding Strength in Stillness & Movement

Nature teaches us that growth requires both expansion and contraction, movement and stillness.

This pattern of growth and rest sustains life. Our bodies follow similar rhythms, taking in what we need and then processing it internally. Just as a flower opens to the sun and then closes to rest, we need times of activity balanced with moments of quiet. The cycles we observe in nature—from a seedling breaking through the soil to a flower opening to the sun—reflect the cycles within our own lives. These processes are both simple and complex, ordinary yet extraordinary. Just as we are, and just as nature is!

From the first breath of a newborn baby to the slow unfolding of a seedling, these cycles remind us that growth is not always visible or immediate. It often happens quietly, beneath the surface, building strength for what comes next. This balance supports our well-being and helps us stay connected to the cycles that sustain life. When we honor these rhythms, we become more alive, more present, and more in tune with ourselves and the world around us.

Event Updates!

New Somatic Release Breathwork circle coming in

January to Move Sanctuary in Ojai, CA.

Balance & Blessings

Regina