As we transition into the second half of August, the energy of summer is shifting. In ancient medicines, this is a threshold from the fire element season, the drive of growth and maturation, and into the earth element season, the quality of emerging ripeness.

Personally, you might feel a sense of wanting to get grounded as routines may be changing. You may feel a call to explore and reprioritize what is most important and nourishing in your life - where you place your precious time and attention.

This late summer, or second summer, is a vital time of year to consciously feel your feet on the earth. Yoga and mindful practices that link breath with gentle movement are meaningful ways to settle body, mind and emotions. Remember yoga comes in many forms and there are countless ways to slow down and connect easeful breaths with awareness, whether in movement or stillness, and get grounded. Spending time in nature, taking time to play and rest, creating simple daily routines and rituals are powerful medicines.

In the Five Element teachings of ancient Chinese medicine, the second summer is associated with the organs of the stomach and spleen, with the sense organ being the lips. This physically and symbolically connects us into drawing attention the ways we nourish ourselves through food and on every level, physically or emotionally. The color associated with the earth element is yellow. The psychological virtual is authentically transforming our worry into deep and lasting trust, trust in ourselves and in the processes we move through. The sound quality is singing - so letting a song come to your lips can lift the mood and settle the heart. We will root deeply into these themes in the Yin Yoga classes I will be leading for the next few weeks.

Here in late summer, the harvest time is near and represents a valuable time to step back and appreciate what you have planted, nourished, and witnessed coming to fullest expression. Take time to step back, really see and appreciate what you have created - whether physically with your gardens or a project or more symbolically in any arenas of your life.

Everything is physically or symbolically following the five element cycle of - release/letting go for something new to grow (Fall/Metal), resting, gestating, gathering energy (Winter/Water), brith and beginnings where new and quick growth sprouts (Spring/Wood), the sustained growth into maturation or fullest expression (Summer/Fire), and the ripeness that nourishes, offering the celebratory gifts of the cycle (Second Summer/Earth). Maybe look at any story in your life and see what "season" or stage it currently is. It can be a great tool for giving us guidance of how to proceed with what comes next.

As for where we are right now in the physical season of late summer, Dr. Sam Francis from our neighboring business, Five Dances Wellness, offers this sage advice, "August is the time of year to pause, celebrate what you have accomplished, and eat peaches under the shade of the tree."

With Love,
Machelle