Summer is softening into fall, and the plants around us are offering a quiet lesson in change. The vegetable garden is shifting from abundance toward rest. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is rushed. The season simply changes.

Perhaps we can learn to do the same.

This is a good time of year for a fall equinox ritual. Something simple that marks the turn instead of letting it slip past unnoticed. Below you’ll find what I’m harvesting right now, a three-herb tea blend for the shift, five yoga poses for coming inward, and a handful of journal prompts for the season ahead.

And you don’t need a garden for any of it. A bundle of herbs from the farmers market, a pot of mint on the windowsill, or a walk where you notice which trees are turning first will do. The practice is the noticing, not the acreage.

In this post:

• How Do You Know Summer Is Turning to Fall?
• What to Harvest in Late Summer and Early Fall
• Which Medicinal Herbs to Harvest Before Frost
• How to Harvest With Intention
• A Simple Three-Herb Fall Tea Blend
• Yoga for the Transition From Summer to Fall
• Fall Equinox Journal Prompts
• How to Create Your Own Fall Equinox Ritual
• Prepare Your Body for the Colder Months
• Questions About Seasonal Rituals and Herbs

How Do You Know Summer Is Turning to Fall?

The clearest signs are cooler mornings, a later sunrise, flowers setting seed instead of blooming, and plants beginning to move their energy down into the roots. In the garden, the change is impossible to ignore.

The mornings are cooler, and I need a blanket wrapped around me when I sit on the porch with my coffee. The sunrise is just a little later, too. The light begins to change. Flowers that seemed endless are putting out their final blooms. What was green and lush a few weeks ago is now covered in seed heads. Some plants are setting seed while others are beginning to die back. Soon it will be time to harvest the roots.

These changes can be subtle. One morning, summer is still very much here, and then suddenly the air feels different. The evenings arrive a little sooner. The garden is quieter. You find yourself reaching for a sweater.

Nature doesn’t resist the change of season. It moves with it. What would it look like for us to move through seasonal change with the same awareness? Rather than rushing to hold onto summer or jumping ahead to the busy-ness of fall, we can pause long enough to notice what is happening around us, and within us.

The transition from summer to fall is an invitation to pay attention.

We don’t have to put everything in order before we are allowed to rest.

What to Harvest in Late Summer and Early Fall

In late summer and early fall you’re gathering the last of the warm-weather crops, tomatoes, zucchini, and beans, while pumpkins finish coloring up and root vegetables like carrots and potatoes keep sizing up underground for a few more weeks.

What are you harvesting? What are you letting go of?

In my vegetable garden, I’m harvesting and canning tomatoes, seeing the last of the zucchini and beans, and admiring the beautiful color of the growing pumpkins. The carrots and potatoes aren’t quite ready, but soon.

There is something deeply satisfying about this part of the gardening year. Some of it is pure pleasure. Sticky hands. A tomato eaten standing up between the rows, still warm from the sun. The small, ridiculous pride of a full jar cooling on the counter.

After months of planting, watering, weeding, watching, and waiting, the garden begins to give back. We gather what has grown. We preserve what we can. We share the abundance. And we begin to let the garden rest.

This is also a beautiful time to think about seeds. What will you save for next year? Which plants performed especially well? What would you like to grow again? Saving seeds is one way of carrying the wisdom of this season forward.

Which Medicinal Herbs to Harvest Before Frost

Goldenrod, calendula, lemon balm, holy basil, mint, and the last of the California poppy are all ready to gather in late summer and early fall. As the season turns, the flowers and leaves finish up and the plant’s energy moves down into the roots.

Medicinal plants have their own seasonal rhythms, too.

Goldenrod is at its peak. For me, goldenrod is one of the clearest signs that summer is taking its last breath. Its brilliant yellow flowers catch the late summer sunlight, and they are alive with activity. I love harvesting goldenrod for tea to keep for later in the season. Traditionally it’s used as a drying herb, the one herbalists reach for when there’s dampness and congestion hanging around, and that’s how I use it myself when I’ve caught a winter cold. It tastes great, too.

The sunflowers are changing. The towering flowers that followed the sun all summer begin to bow beneath the weight of their seeds. Their transformation is beautiful. The flower is no longer trying to bloom. It is becoming something else. Seeds for nourishment, for the next cycle of growth.

Then come the aster blooms. Their arrival feels almost like a passing of the torch. As some of the summer flowers fade, asters bring new color to the garden.

The calendula is still blooming while other plants begin to fade. Lemon balm, holy basil, and other herbs in my medicinal garden are nearing the end of their lush summer growth. The fast pace of summer flower harvest is winding down, and now the energy is moving into the roots.

I feel that same change in my own body and rhythm. I want to move a little slower. I find myself craving warmer food, warm tea, earlier evenings, and more quiet.

The garden teaches us that every stage has something to offer.

A note before you gather: I’m sharing traditional and personal uses of these plants, not medical advice. Harvest only what you can identify with certainty. If you’re pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or allergic to plants in the aster family (ragweed, daisies, chamomile), talk with your healthcare provider before adding a new herb to your routine.

How to Harvest With Intention

Harvesting with intention means taking only what you need, leaving enough for the plant and the pollinators, and slowing down enough to actually notice what you’re gathering. It turns a chore into a practice.

Harvesting can be more than collecting herbs and vegetables. It can become a practice of gratitude. A practice of paying attention. A practice of recognizing that we are part of the same seasonal rhythms we see in the garden.

Harvest with intention. Take only what you need and, whenever possible, leave enough for the plant, insects, birds, and future growth. Before you cut that flower or gather those leaves, pause. Notice the plant. And be certain of what it is. If you are not completely sure of an identification, leave it where it stands.

Harvest slowly. Notice the scent, texture, color, and stage of the plant. What does the garden smell like right now? What sounds do you hear? What insects are still visiting? What flowers are fading, and which ones are just beginning? Harvesting slowly turns a practical task into a sensory experience.

Preserve summer. Dry herbs. Make infused oils. Prepare tinctures. Create herbal tea blends. Preserving herbs allows us to carry a little bit of summer into the colder months. There is something comforting about opening a jar of dried herbs in January and being reminded of a warm afternoon in the garden.

A Simple Three-Herb Fall Tea Blend

A calming fall tea blend combines equal parts dried lemon balm, chamomile, and California poppy. Use about one tablespoon of the blend per cup, and steep it covered for ten minutes so the volatile oils don’t drift off with the steam. Lemon balm eases tension, chamomile settles both the stomach and the nerves, and California poppy quiets a busy mind before sleep. It’s an evening tea, not a morning one.

(California poppy is gently sedating. Skip it if you’re pregnant, nursing, or taking sedative medication, and use lemon balm and chamomile on their own instead.)

One of my favorite ways to welcome the changing season is with a simple cup of tea.

I’m harvesting the last of the lemon balm and mint and even finding a few California poppy flowers to gather. I have a stash of chamomile that I harvested at the end of June, and it makes a wonderful third for this blend.

As I steep these herbs, I feel my heartbeat slow. I take a few deep breaths. I reflect on the summer that is passing and embrace the slower pace ahead. Shorter days. Longer nights. Cooler weather. A different rhythm.

The tea becomes more than a drink. It becomes a small reminder to slow down and notice where I am in the season.

If You’d Like to Learn This In Person

If reading this makes you want to spend four days actually learning it, which plants, which parts, when to cut them, how to turn them into something you’ll use all winter, that’s what Rewilding the Sacred is.

Four days in the Oregon forest. Hands-on herbalism, yoga, deep rest, and enough quiet to finally hear yourself think.

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Yoga for the Transition From Summer to Fall

A short grounding practice is enough to mark the seasonal shift: standing forward fold, low lunge, child’s pose, seated forward fold, and legs up the wall. Hold each one for five to ten slow breaths. The whole sequence takes about fifteen minutes.

Yoga can offer another way to move with the changing season. Summer often carries an expansive quality. More activity, more movement, more light, and more time outdoors. As we move into fall, we can explore a more grounded practice. Grounding. Inward movement. Reflection. Rest.

You don’t need an elaborate practice. A few intentional poses can create space to notice the shift.

1. Standing Forward Fold (5–8 breaths) A physical invitation to turn inward and soften. Allow the head to release. Let the back body lengthen. Notice your breath. Keep a generous bend in the knees.

2. Low Lunge (5 breaths each side) A reminder that transition is still movement. One foot moves forward while the other remains grounded behind you. You are moving somewhere new while still connected to where you began. Put a folded blanket under the back knee.

3. Child’s Pose (8–10 breaths) Rest, reflection, surrender. Let yourself be supported by the earth beneath you. There is nothing you need to accomplish here. Widen the knees if that’s more comfortable, and rest your forehead on a block or a stacked fist.

4. Seated Forward Fold (8–10 breaths) A quiet, inward-facing posture that invites reflection. Rather than pushing deeper, consider softening. Let the pose be less about achievement and more about listening. Sit up on a folded blanket and bend the knees as much as you need to.

5. Legs Up the Wall (5–10 minutes) A restorative way to end your practice and embrace stillness. Stay here long enough to actually feel the change. This is the pose people skip, and it’s the one that does the most.

As we move toward fall, yoga reminds us that slowing down is not the same as doing nothing. Rest is part of the rhythm.

Fall Equinox Journal Prompts

Seasonal change gives us a natural opportunity to reflect on our own lives. Just as the garden asks what is ready to be harvested and what is ready to be released, we can ask ourselves the same questions.

Find a quiet place with your tea, your journal, or simply a few uninterrupted minutes.

• What has this summer taught me?
• What am I ready to harvest from this season of my life?
• What am I ready to let go of?
• What do I want to carry with me into the darker months?
• Where am I being invited to slow down?
• What needs tending before winter arrives?
• What does rest look like for me right now?
• What made me laugh this summer, and how do I get more of that?

You don’t need to answer every question. Choose the one that catches your attention. Sometimes, the question we want to avoid is the one worth sitting with.

Want this on paper? Download the free Fall Equinox Ritual Card: the three-herb tea blend, the five-pose sequence, and all eight journal prompts on one printable page you can stick on the fridge.

[Send me the ritual card →] (Kit form embed)

How to Create Your Own Fall Equinox Ritual

A fall equinox ritual can be as simple as lighting a candle, making a seasonal meal, and writing down one thing you’re ready to release. It doesn’t require a tradition or a script. It only requires that you stop long enough to notice the turn. This year the equinox falls on Monday, September 22, at 5:06 p.m. Pacific.

For generations, people have marked seasonal changes with gathering, food, gratitude, ceremony, and reflection. The autumnal equinox offers a natural pause in the calendar and a chance to acknowledge the changing balance of light and darkness.

We don’t have to follow a particular tradition to honor the season. We can create a simple ritual of our own.

Light a candle. Make a seasonal meal. Harvest herbs from your garden. Share food with friends. Write down what you’re grateful for. Take a quiet walk and notice what has changed since the beginning of summer. Choose one thing you are ready to release.

And not every ritual has to be quiet. Some of the best ones are a table full of people and too much food and somebody’s dog underfoot. Gathering is an old way of marking a harvest, and it still works.

The ritual doesn’t have to be elaborate. It simply needs to help you pause long enough to recognize the season you are in.

Prepare Your Body for the Colder Months

Preparing for the colder months mostly means small, unglamorous adjustments: warmer food and drinks, consistent sleep, continued movement, and time outside while the weather still allows it. The goal is to support your body through the change, not to overhaul your routine overnight.

Our bodies experience the changing season, too. As the days become shorter and temperatures begin to drop, we may naturally want to move a little differently. This can be a good time to gently shift our routines.

• Choose warmer foods and drinks.
• Stay hydrated.
• Prioritize sleep and rest.
• Continue moving your body as the weather changes.
• Spend time outdoors while the weather allows.
• Create calming evening rituals.
• Make herbal teas part of your daily rhythm.

Most importantly, notice changes in your energy rather than judging or fighting them.

The goal isn’t to force ourselves into a completely new routine overnight. It is to listen. The same way we listen to the garden. Preparation is about supporting ourselves as our environment changes. The light changes. The temperature changes. The plants change. And we change, too.

What Will You Gather From This Season?

Goldenrod will eventually fade. The sunflower will bow beneath the weight of its seeds. The asters will bloom, and then they, too, will pass. The vegetable garden will become quieter. The mornings will become colder. The nights will become longer.

This isn’t an ending so much as a shift. The garden isn’t failing because it is no longer blooming. It is moving into its next season.

We can do that, too. We can gather what this season has given us. We can release what we no longer need. We can prepare our homes, our gardens, and our bodies for what is coming. And we can slow down enough to appreciate the transition itself.

We don’t have to put everything in order before we are allowed to rest.

And rest isn’t the end of it. We slow down so we can feel things again. The first genuinely cold morning. The smell of the kitchen when the tomatoes are going. The particular pleasure of a season that asks less of us. Slowing down is how we come back to life, not how we step away from it.

So, as summer gives way to fall, take a moment to ask yourself: What are you harvesting from this season? What are you releasing? What are you carrying forward?

Maybe you don’t need to have the answers yet. Maybe, just like the garden, you are simply moving with the season.

And perhaps that is enough.

Questions About Seasonal Rituals and Herbs

About the Author

Lisa LeCuyer is a Master Herbalist, NBC-Health & Wellness Coach, and ESM Shamanic Practitioner. She grows and harvests her own medicinal and vegetable gardens and teaches others to work with the plants growing closest to them.

Take the Season With You

The changing seasons remind us that we don’t always need to keep moving. Sometimes we need to pause, breathe, listen, and give ourselves space to reconnect.

That’s what a retreat is for. Four days away from the pace of everyday life, with practice, real rest, and women who understand exactly where you are.

If the herbalism in this post is what pulled you in, Rewilding the Sacred is where we do all of it together. Four days in the Oregon forest. Yoga, hands-on plant medicine, deep rest, and enough quiet to finally hear yourself think.

July 15–18, 2027 · Twenty women · From $997

View Rewilding the Sacred →

Or see all upcoming Ambuja Yoga retreats →

The post Fall Equinox Rituals: Harvesting, Herbs, and Yoga for the Seasonal Shift appeared first on Ambuja Yoga.

by Lisa LeCuyer, MH, NBC-HWC

This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medications and aren’t right for everyone. Check with your healthcare provider before starting, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription medication.

A daily herbal ritual can be one of the simplest ways to support calm, clarity, and connection in your everyday life. By combining

• nourishing herbal tea
• aromatherapy
• intentional time in nature

you can create a wellness practice that supports both your nervous system and overall well-being.

As an Herbalist and Wellness Coach, I’ve found that small, consistent practices often have the greatest impact. Rather than adding another complicated routine to your day, a daily herbal ritual invites you to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and cultivate greater presence.

In this article, I’ll share three simple practices that you can begin today

• a nourishing herbal tea blend
• an aromatherapy ritual for focus and clarity
• and a nature-based mindfulness practice inspired by the wisdom of plants

What Is a Daily Herbal Ritual?

A daily herbal ritual is a simple practice that incorporates herbs into your everyday life with intention and consistency.

While herbs can support physical wellness, the ritual itself also creates space for mindfulness, reflection, and self-care.

Your daily herbal ritual doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the most effective rituals are often the ones that are easy to maintain.

A cup of tea, a few deep breaths with essential oils, or a mindful walk outdoors can become powerful tools for nervous system support.

Step 1: Brew a Nervous System Tea (Lemon Balm, Oat Straw + Holy Basil)

The simplest daily herbal ritual is a calming cup of tea. A blend of lemon balm, oat straw, and holy basil gently supports the nervous system and helps the body settle out of “go mode.”

Tea offers more than hydration. The simple act of preparing and sipping a warm cup invites us to slow down, breathe, and become present.

One of my favorite blends for supporting the nervous system combines three herbal allies

• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
• Oat straw (Avena sativa)
• Holy Basil [Tulsi] (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Together, they create a deeply nourishing infusion that helps calm the mind, support resilience, and restore balance.

Lemon balm: The Gentle Calmer

True to its name, Lemon balm offers a bright lemony-mint flavor and a soothing effect on both body and mind. Traditionally used to ease stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness, it is one of my favorite herbs for people who feel overwhelmed or emotionally depleted.

Lemon balm supports

• healthy digestion
• helps relax tension in the body
• may encourage more restful sleep

It contains compounds that help preserve GABA, an important neurotransmitter involved in relaxation and emotional regulation.

I often recommend Lemon balm for those who feel like their nervous system is stuck in “go mode” and needs a reminder that it’s safe to rest.

Oat Straw: Deep Nourishment for the Nervous System

Oat straw is one of the most supportive herbs I have worked with over the years. Rich in minerals, B vitamins, silica, and other nutrients, it provides nourishment that many modern nervous systems desperately need.

Unlike herbs that create an immediate effect, oat straw works gradually, helping replenish depleted reserves over time.

Herbalists have long valued oat straw for supporting mental clarity, emotional resilience, and overall vitality.

Whenever life feels demanding, I often turn to Oat as a steady, nourishing companion.

Holy Basil (Tulsi): The Stress Balancer

No discussion about stress support would be complete without Holy Basil.

Known in India as Tulsi, this revered herb is considered sacred in Ayurvedic tradition.

Holy Basil is classified as an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress and maintain balance.

I’ve seen Holy Basil work wonders for individuals who feel constantly “on” and unable to relax. It seems to gently remind the body that it doesn’t need to stay in a perpetual state of alertness.

After incorporating Tulsi into their daily routine, many people find its benefits in

• improved sleep
• better stress resilience
• a greater sense of calm

Happy Nervous System Tea

Ingredients

• ½ cup Oat straw
• ¼ cup Holy Basil
• ¼ cup Lemon balm

Method

• Mix all ingredients together in a 4-cup container with a lid
• Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and allow it to cool slightly
• Pour the water over the herbs
• Cover and steep overnight or for at least 8 hours
• Strain into another container and refrigerate
• Consume within five days

I recommend drinking one cup in the afternoon and another about two hours before bedtime.

Because some people find this blend deeply relaxing, it’s wise to try it first on a day when you don’t need to be highly productive.

Step 2: Use Aromatherapy for Focus and Mental Clarity

Our sense of smell has a direct connection to the brain’s emotional and memory centers, making aromatherapy a simple yet powerful daily ritual.

One essential oil I never travel without is Rosemary. While preparing for my herbalism and coaching certification exams, I frequently reached for a bottle of Rosemary essential oil whenever I felt mentally fatigued or overwhelmed by information.

Research has shown that Rosemary contains compounds such as rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid, which support cognitive function.

Studies have also found that exposure to Rosemary aroma may improve memory recall and concentration.

When your mind feels scattered, a few intentional breaths with Rosemary essential oil can provide a surprising sense of clarity.

Focus Blend

Ingredients

• 8 drops Peppermint essential oil
• 8 drops Rosemary essential oil
• 6 drops Basil essential oil
• 2 drops Cardamom essential oil
• 1 ounce carrier oil (Almond, Jojoba, Apricot kernel)

Method

• Combine all ingredients in a glass bottle and mix well.
• Apply a small amount to the temples, back of the neck, or wrists. You can also diffuse the blend while working, studying, journaling, or practicing yoga.

Even a brief moment of inhaling these aromatic plants can become a powerful mindfulness practice.

Step 3: Practice Forest Bathing and Nature Connection

Forest bathing is the practice of slowing down and connecting with nature through your senses — not hiking for exercise, but simply being present. It’s one of the most grounding parts of a daily herbal ritual.

Nature offers something modern life often cannot: an invitation to simply be.

Whether you live in the countryside or a busy city, spending intentional time outdoors can

• help regulate the nervous system
• improve mood
• restore a sense of connection.

Practices such as forest bathing and plant meditation encourage us to move beyond observing nature and begin participating in a relationship with it.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Herbalist Stephen Buhner:

“Plants will, if genuinely asked, respond to you. They will teach you their medicine, as plants have always taught human beings. And though human beings may lose the knowledge of the medicinal uses of a plant, the plant always remembers what its medicine is. And they will tell you…if you ask.”

Plant meditation is a beautiful way to cultivate this relationship.

• Find a plant, tree, or wildflower that draws your attention.
• Sit quietly beside it.
• Observe its shape, texture, color, and presence.
• Notice how you feel in its company.
• Instead of analyzing, simply listen.

You may be surprised by the insights that emerge when you slow down enough to receive them.

A Simple Forest Bathing Exercise

Explore Tree Bark with Open and Closed Eyes

First, stand at arm’s length from a tree and reach one hand toward a palm-sized area of bark. Close your eyes.

Second, slowly move your fingertips across the bark, noticing differences in texture, temperature, ridges, and patterns. Continue exploring for five to ten minutes, or as long as feels comfortable.

Third, take several deep breaths and slowly open your eyes. Observe the area you were exploring.

Is it similar to what you imagined with your eyes closed? Different? What details stand out now?

This simple exercise encourages presence, curiosity, and sensory awareness—all qualities that support a calmer, more connected state of being.

Want to keep these recipes? I put the Nervous System Tea and Focus Blend on a simple, printable card you can keep by your kettle. Download the free Herbal Ritual recipe card below

How to Start Your Daily Herbal Ritual Today

Creating a daily herbal ritual doesn’t require hours of free time or extensive herbal knowledge. Instead, it begins with small, intentional actions that can be repeated consistently.

Whether you start by brewing a cup of tea, inhaling the aroma of Rosemary before a busy day, or spending a few mindful moments with a tree, each practice offers an opportunity to slow down and reconnect.

Over time, a daily herbal ritual can become an anchor that supports

• calm,
• clarity,
• and connection.

These simple practices remind us that wellness doesn’t always come from doing more, it often comes from returning to the wisdom of nature and the healing power of presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a daily herbal ritual?

A daily herbal ritual is a simple, repeatable practice that brings herbs into your everyday life with intention — usually through tea, aromatherapy, or time in nature. It’s less about adding another task and more about creating small, consistent moments to slow down and support your nervous system.

What herbs are best for calming the nervous system?

Lemon balm, oat straw, and holy basil (tulsi) are three of the most widely used herbs for calming the nervous system. Lemon balm is traditionally used to ease stress and tension, oat straw gently nourishes depleted reserves over time, and holy basil is an adaptogen that helps the body adapt to stress.

Does lemon balm help with stress and sleep?

Lemon balm has traditionally been used to ease stress, anxiety, and occasional sleeplessness, and it’s known for its gentle, calming effect. It contains compounds thought to support GABA, a neurotransmitter involved in relaxation. As with any herb, effects vary from person to person.

What is holy basil (tulsi) good for?

Holy basil, known as tulsi, is an adaptogen — an herb that helps the body adapt to stress and maintain balance. In Ayurvedic tradition it’s considered sacred, and many people use it to support a greater sense of calm, steadier energy, and more restful sleep.

How does aromatherapy help with focus and clarity?

Aromatherapy supports focus because the sense of smell connects directly to the brain’s emotional and memory centers. Rosemary in particular contains compounds studied for cognitive support, and a few intentional breaths of an essential oil blend can be a quick way to feel more clear-headed.

What is forest bathing and how do you do it?

Forest bathing is the practice of spending slow, intentional, sensory time in nature — not hiking for exercise, but simply being present with it. You can start by standing with a tree, noticing its bark and textures with your eyes closed, then breathing slowly and observing what you feel.

How long does it take for a daily herbal ritual to work?

A daily herbal ritual works gradually, not instantly. Some effects, like the calm after a cup of tea or a few breaths of essential oil, are immediate, while deeper nervous system support from herbs like oat straw builds over weeks of consistent practice. Consistency matters more than intensity.

Are these herbs safe to take every day?

These herbs are generally well tolerated and have a long history of traditional use, but herbs can interact with medications and aren’t right for everyone. Check with your healthcare provider before starting, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription medication.

A Gentle Invitation

If this way of practicing speaks to you…

I’d love to invite you to join me with Ambuja Yoga for our very first 4-day Herbalism & Yoga Retreat: Rewilding the Sacred in Oregon in July.

This is a space to slow down. To reconnect with the natural rhythms of your body and the wisdom of the plants. To explore yoga not just as movement — but as ritual, presence, and relationship.

Together, we’ll weave herbalism, nervous system support, and intentional practice into something that feels deeply nourishing and real. Not just the poses. But the spaces in between them.

Learn more and join us →

Reset your nervous system. Reconnect with your body. Remember the Earth’s wisdom.

With love,
Lisa

Sources:

• Lisa LeCuyer’s Herbal Materia Medica
• Corinna Wood, “Corinna’s Online Guide to Wise Woman Herbal Medicine,” corinnawood.com
• The Secret Teachings of Plants by Stephen Harrod Buhner — https://www.stephenharrodbuhner.com/
• Food Therapy: Conscious Eating to Navigate Anxiety, Stress and Trauma by Luis Mojica (Hay House, 2026)
• Forest Bathing Guidebook by Olga Terebenina and Gary Evans (Leaping Hare Press 2025)
• WVU Today, “Aromatherapy May Reduce Nurses’ Stress, WVU Researcher Suggests,” May 1, 2020, wvutoday.wvu.edu
• The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood (New World Library, 1991)

The post Daily Herbal Ritual for Calm and Clarity appeared first on Ambuja Yoga.

Hey there fellow yogis! As a yoga teacher, mama, wife, and retreat leader, my heart is always yearning for ways to deepen my own practice and flourish in my many roles. I’ve always been an avid reader and podcast listener… well, until the tiny human arrived, that is. Now that Atlas is “marginally” more independent, one of my intentions for this year is to reclaim the bits and pieces of myself that I tucked away while nurturing this tiny human and welcome the new parts of me that have come to the forefront while on this motherhood journey. This is my time to reclaim my love of reading, so I’ve gathered and researched to fill my home yoga library with loads of inspiring books on yoga, motherhood, and personal transformation. My desire is to come back to a place that feels a little more harmonious rather than chaotic. Yes, I know the chaos will keep on rolling, but maybe it can feel a little more easeful? I’m hopeful!

I always love sharing what’s currently inspiring me, so I thought I would share what I’m reading this year. We’re definitely a “book house”, but I’ve been reading a lot of picture books over the past couple of years. I am more than ready to read some books that are “just for me”. And while I love reading with Atlas and plan to continue satiating his 15+ books a day habit, I’m so thankful it’s still early in 2024 because there are a lot of books I’m looking forward to reading this year. 

I am beyond excited to dive into some incredible books that will enrich both my personal journey and my offerings to you all. Let’s take a peek at the gems that I am currently reading and what I’m eagerly anticipating. I hope you’ll also find some inspiration here among these great books.

Inspiring Books on Motherhood, Personal Transformation, and Yoga for 2024

Motherhood

Beautiful Chaos by Jessica Urlichs: Jessica writes the most beautiful poetry that captures all of the emotions of motherhood. Her words are so relatable. Many tears have been shed while reading her poetry. Beautiful Chaos is her newest book and the paperback isn’t released yet, so I caved and bought the Kindle version.

Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy: If you’re a parent who strives to be gentle and firm, to be respectful, and provide clear boundaries this one is for you. It’s so insightful and encouraging. Her message is clear: we are all good inside. You’ll likely feel inspired to clear up any childhood or generational trauma of your own.

Yoga

Yoga for Transformation: Ancient Teachings and Practices for Healing the Body, Mind, and Heart by Gary Kraftsow: I’ve been teaching yoga at a power yoga studio, and I feel like my practice has drifted toward the physical. I’m feeling called to get back to the other seven limbs of yoga. I regularly reference Gary Kraftsow’s Yoga for Wellness book, so this felt like the right addition to my yoga library.

The Path of the Yoga Sutras by Nicolai Bachman: I’ve been teaching from this book for years, and it’s time for me to revisit it. This is one of the most accessible yoga sutra books I’ve come across.

Personal Transformation

The Luminous Self by Tracee Stanley: I’m simultaneously reading The Luminous Self and loving it. I love being a mother; however, after having Atlas, I really felt like I lost myself in motherhood. Tracee shares practices that guide you into the depths of your being and help you remember the radiant essence within. I’m loving this book. I look forward to sharing some of these practices in upcoming offerings.

If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie: This book had been circling in my periphery for months (maybe years), and it’s finally landed in my hands. I’m reading it currently and I wish I had picked it up sooner. “If Women Rose Rooted” speaks to the parts of me that feel most at home and most rooted when my feet are planted on the earth. It’s a beautiful book that inspires living in alignment with the cycles of life and nature. I’ve already learned so much! I appreciate Sharon Blackie’s exploration of native mythology, feminine wisdom, and empowerment, while still being gentle, empowering, and encouraging. This is great on Audible and they often have free trials.

The Pivot Year: 365 Days to Become the Person You Truly Want to Be by Brianna Wiest: Ah, the sweet promise of transformation! I’ve been intrigued by Brianna Wiest’s work. When I was choosing my books for the year, I felt like I could start with basically any of her books. It was hard to choose where to start. “The Pivot Year” came last week in the mail and it beckons with daily invitations to self-discovery, growth, and possibility. I appreciate the simplicity of this book as it provides a short one or two-paragraph inspirational reading for each day. The part of me that wants to be “all-in” all the time wants to dive into this book right now. However, I know I need time to integrate the teachings and wisdom from The Luminous Self – so I’ll probably start this one in another month or two.

Rewilding by Micah Mortali: “Rewilding” speaks to me on a primal level. In its own way, it offers a roadmap back to our roots. I look forward to exploring Micah’s blend of yoga, mindfulness, and nature connection to rediscover the wild spirit within. What is rewilding? “Rewilding is a return to our essential nature. It is an attempt to reclaim something of what we were before we used words like ‘civilized’ to define ourselves.” ― Micah Mortali. My soul craves being out in nature with my feet in running water and my hands on the earth!

The Enchanted Life: Unlocking the Magic of the Everyday by Sharon Blackie: Toni brought this book to the Back to Nature Retreat last year. I was able to read the first quarter of it during our downtime and I look forward to finishing it. “The Enchanted Life” speaks of childlike wonder and possibility. It is a beautiful reminder to see the world through eyes alight with curiosity and awe.

Embody Your Inner Goddess by Lauren Leduc: Lauren’s book was recommended by a fellow yogini as we chatted after class about our spiritual journey, seasons of life, motherhood, etc. I took a peek inside and Lauren does an amazing job of honoring the feminine spirit. She offers beautiful practices to nurture, empower, and transform us in a really gentle and accessible way.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz: Simple yet profound, “The Four Agreements” is full of timeless wisdom. Don Miguel Ruiz’s principles serve as gentle reminders to live authentically and walk the path of integrity. This is a great book to revisit again and again. If you like Audible, it’s a short inspiring listen that is great for the car, train, etc.

Each of these books holds the promise of growth, insight, and inspiration. Each book was mindfully chosen for its potential to guide us deeper into the heart of our practice and the essence of who we are. As I eagerly turn the pages, I invite you to join me on this sacred journey of exploration and discovery. What’s inspiring you? What inspiring books are you reading?

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