The seasons are changing and Summer is upon us, and with it comes longer days, warmer temperatures, and a jam-packed calendar. Summer is a Yang time of year, and our activities and physical vitality certainly reflect this as we soak in as much solar energy as possible in this short-lived period by increased physical and social activity.
Caught up in the momentum of the season, our bodies work overtime, and with all that we pile on, it’s easy to overheat, and dry up – physically and energetically. With extra heat and longer days, it is easy to dry up, get angry, irritated or exhausted, especially if work and play are not in balance. Alternatively, the humid, dog days of summer can leave us sluggish or lethargic, causing a stagnation of energy.
So, why not take time to complement what's going on outside in nature with relaxed, slow, cooling movements, maintaining a playful attitude or even closing your eyes during your asana practice to avoid being competitive with others or yourself? Slow down and move from your intuition, listen from within, to grow and mature during this season of abundance.
If we take our cues from nature, this would be the ideal time to take some of the vigor out of our yoga practice, and invite more cooling and slower paced movements. Yin Yoga, specifically, is an ideal choice as the long-held postures can welcome some much needed grounding, and also stimulate the energy body to promote the flow of stagnant qi (energy).
Yin yoga is the perfect complementary practice to a busy summer calendar, helping to really restore and balance our energy by encouraging us to turn inwards and towards stillness to counteract the late nights, long days, and lust for life that summer carries with it. Yin yoga is a grounding, calming, and quiet style of yoga, it is a beautiful antidote to the pace of modern life. A more yin practice might be appropriate in the evenings or on a warm day, to cool and ground yourself.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of yin yoga, come and join our 100hr yin yoga teacher training starting in September.
Join our complimentary info session this Saturday July 2nd, to find out more about our upcoming yin training. Sign up via tt@equalyoga.com
