Autumn Equinox Mini-Retreat: Finding Balance
<p>Hello and welcome to this week’s Centered with Abby mini-retreat.</p><p>These retreats are designed to help you create a ritual of self-care—a routine that invites you to pause from daily life, check in, reset, nourish your nervous system, and move forward with more intention. Practice anytime from the comfort of your home, and come as you are—whatever you’re bringing in today is welcome here.</p><p>Before getting started, I encourage you to take some time to get cozy and set your space. You’ll get the most out of this if you carve out some intentional time. Limit distractions, silence notifications, and consider a small ritual to mark the beginning—brew a cup of tea, light a candle or twinkle lights, diffuse some essential oils or incense, or do any other quick practice that signals to yourself that this time is special. Our brains love ritual, so repeating these little opening rituals helps your system drop in more quickly in the future.</p><p><strong>Theme:</strong> This retreat is inspired by the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. As we move into a time of equal daylight and darkness, we are reminded to find balance. Today we’ll explore the lessons of the equinox and examine what balance means in our bodies, breath, and lives.</p><p>What you’ll experience</p><p>* A gentle centering to arrive in your body and your space</p><p>* Breath awareness and even-count breathing (inhale/exhale balanced)</p><p>* Optional box breathing</p><p>* Somatic, balancing movement practice</p><p>* A reflective journaling prompt to integrate your insights</p><p>A note on autonomy & safety</p><p>Everything I offer is a suggestion, not a mandate. Please adapt or rest anytime—this is your practice.</p><p>Journal prompt to take with you</p><p><strong>What aspects of your life feel out of balance right now?</strong> Consider work/school, rest, friendships, family, romance, your relationship with yourself, self-care, health, mental health, spirituality, creativity, and play.</p><p>What would balance look and feel like? <strong>Name 1–3 small actions</strong> that would move you toward it this week.</p><p>If this resonated</p><p>* <strong>Subscribe</strong> to get future mini-retreats and somatic practices in your inbox.</p><p>* <strong>Listen & share</strong> this episode with someone who could use a reset.</p><p>* <strong>Follow on IG:</strong> @centeredwithabby</p><p>* <strong>Website:</strong> abbyilardi.com</p><p>* <strong>SomaSong Method & courses:</strong> learn how to use singing/toning/humming and somatics to build nervous system resilience. Find us at @somasongwellness on Youtube and Instagram and singingsomatics.substack.com. You can also join our email list to be the first to know when our upcoming course drops. (<a target="_blank" href="https://abby-ilardi.kit.com/somasong?_gl=1*11ss08r*_gcl_au*Njc2NDIwMjE2LjE3NTU4MDU4NjcuMTI3MzcyODYwMi4xNzU4MzEwMjkxLjE3NTgzMTAzNDI.">Join Here</a>).</p><p>About Your Host</p><p>Abby is a licensed professional counselor, somatic therapist, yoga teacher, and creator of Centered with Abby and SomaSong. Her work blends psychology, somatic therapy, yoga, and expressive arts to help people care for their inner world and rediscover a life of presence and wonder.</p><p>This is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as psychotherapy or medical advice. If you are struggling and need someone to talk to, call or text your local help line (<strong>988</strong> in the U.S.) for immediate support.</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Centered with Abby at <a href="https://www.centeredwithabby.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.centeredwithabby.com/subscribe</a>
