FALL CHI QUEST INTRO | YOGA | HEALTH & FITNESS | GOAL SETTING

INTRODUCTION
Autumn is my favorite time of year because the crisp cool air returns to the mountains. The sky turns an amazing deep blue and the forests shimmer with golden Aspen leaves. As an athlete, I was always excited for fall because that’s when many of the World and National Championship races were held. In college it was the time to move from the track to cross country, which I loved because we got to do training runs in the woods instead of around the track.

You know the old saying there is a time and a season for everything? Well, as an athlete I really watched the seasons and let nature guide my training, racing and diet. I just tuned into to what the animals did, and did what felt natural to me. (As I researched it a bit more, I learned the Chinese had been doing this for over 5000 years. Amazing!)

RESTORE
This time of year you see and feel a buzz happening in nature. Squirrels are running around like crazy, gathering and storing nuts, while bears are raiding every trash can they can find to get ready for winter. Fall gives us this last little burst of energy to finish out the racing season, achieve that athletic goal you’ve been focusing on all summer, organize your priorities, and finalize projects around the house before winter knocks on the door. It seems like nature knows we need a booster about this time of year; just don’t over do it, because fall is really about turning inward and beginning the process of slowing down. When plants begin to pull their energy in towards their roots, this is our indicator that it’s a good time for us to reflect and go inward. We’ve had our summer fun and have played a ton, and now it’s time to start to restore.

LET GO
I’m always a bit sad about leaving summer and watching all the beautiful flowers die, the leaves fall off the trees, and knowing that snow is coming. If you’re feeling a bit blue, you’re right in tune with the seasons. Fall is the lung time of the year in Chinese medicine, and that’s related to grief. Keep your spirits up (get outside, move around and BREATHE) and take action now by letting go of people, places and things that no longer serve you — just like the trees let go of their leaves.

The wisdom of nature, along with the Chinese philosophy I’ve studied very carefully, helped me become a world champion triathlete. The Women’s Quest retreats incorporate my practices for mind, body, and spirit. I’d love to have all of you join me one day, but until then I’ve developed this multi-part, seasonal “Chi Quest” especially for you. And what better time to begin than with the onset of fall? So click the links below, and enjoy the new season.

FALL CHI QUEST INTRO | YOGA | HEALTH & FITNESS | GOAL SETTING

COLLEEN CANNON is President, CEO and founder of Women’s Quest, a multisport fitness retreat providing athletic and holistic training for women worldwide. Prior to founding Women’s Quest, Colleen was a professional triathlete competing worldwide with over seventy career victories... {more»}

Related Chi: Fall Chi Quest: Goal Setting Fall Chi Quest: Health and Fitness Fall Chi Quest: Yoga Fall 2008 Behind-the-Scenes Gallery Yoga Philosophy for Fall