Hello Summer!
The world around us is stepping into its vibrant nature and so are you! The energy at the studio is growing more alive, playful, and definitely…sweatier. People gather on the outdoor stoop before and after classes to soak in the fresh air and sunshine, meetups for outside adventures and social gatherings are picking up, and our energy overall vibrates at a higher, more fiery frequency. Just as the days have grown longer and fuller in the buildup to the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice, so has our own internal sun.
In so many ways, the summer is a crescendo, the crest of the wave that’s been swelling since the ground thawed in the early spring. The birds are in full-blown symphony as the sun rises at an hour we couldn’t fathom waking up at during the winter—and the extra hours of evening light leave us feeling expansive, free, and buzzing with life. As the land we call home receives more and more of the sun’s power and light, our entire ecosystem feels fully charged.
Our bright inner fire primes us to create, play, and celebrate, to embody our fullest expression. We may feel more inspired to sing, dance, paint, or build. We may have more energy to move our body, socialize, or work. We may function well on less sleep and find ourselves flowing through the day without as much (or any) coffee. In many ways, summertime is the season of “doing.”
The world around us (of course!) reflects this peak vibrancy. Mother ducks flank groups of fuzzy ducklings as they float down the river and mulberry trees drip with sweetness begging to be picked. All of the nutrition stored and dreams explored throughout the winter, as well as the deepening roots of the spring, were in dutiful and devoted preparation for this exact moment. Summer. The fullest, most outward expression of all that is. If it feels like a party, that’s because it is! The energy of summer is ecstatic.
The Summer Transition And Our Yoga Practice
The expression of your practice from spring to summer may seem a little less dramatic than the transition from the stillness of winter into spring but, nonetheless, it’s in full bloom right now! With the heat pulsing through our energetic bodies, movement may feel more freeing and accessible to us. We may crave practices that are more energetic and fiery in nature as we grow more open physically, mentally, and emotionally.
We naturally become more playful during the summer months and are thus more open to trying fun and challenging physical aspects of the practice, such as inversions, arm balances, and backbends. In the studio, mats are pulled against the wall post class to play with inversions and heart openers. Everyone cheers each other on, encouraging and building up each other’s inner fire and joy.
We continue to shake off the dampness of spring (think extra sweaty heated vinyasa flows) so that we can feel lighter and brighter as we harness our ability to move and have FUN both on and off the mat. It’s time to do things that bring you joy! Along with the physical expansion of our practice, the connections that we’ve formed with each other also seem to expand during this time. The friendships you’ve nurtured within the walls of the studio take on new life off of the mat as well. This is a time of true illumination for our inner being and the external world!
Reflection For Summertime / Journal Prompts
Take a moment to think about the seeds you nurtured this spring.
How do they look and feel to you now?
Pause to reflect on how far you’ve come. We don’t often take a moment to acknowledge our own growth (no matter how big) before moving on to our next goal.
How can you express and grow your own inner fire in a meaningful way, while also deepening connections with the ones you love?
How do you balance your need for alone time with your need for connection?
Give your energy to things that bring you joy and passion this summer season.
Chakra Associated With Summer: Solar Plexus Chakra
The Summer season is associated with the Manipura Chakra, also known as the Solar Plexus Chakra, filling us with passion, energy, and joy — all qualities we need to have FUN and live life to its fullest!
Represented by the element of fire, this chakra ignites your inner passions and zest for life! Housed within this energetic body are your self-esteem, self-worth, and power. When you believe in yourself, you can truly bring your desires to life.
The color associated with this chakra is yellow, the color of the sun! When you think of the color yellow, what qualities come to mind? Those are exactly the sensations dwelling within you and around you this season.
Give yourself permission to feel connected, expansive, and ignited with joy!
Summer Through A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Lens
According to the 5 Element Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), our internal environment mirrors our external environment. Although we cannot truly separate these elements because they all influence one another in different ways, we’re going to focus on the Fire Element, which represents the season of Summer.
When balanced, the Fire Element is associated with joy and passion. When out of balance, we can feel anxiety or have a harder time sleeping. Here lives our ability to communicate in a deep and meaningful way. It gives us permission to be vulnerable and intimate in our relationships—to truly be seen at a heart level.
It’s important to honor the balance between withdrawing for some solo time and emerging to connect with others. As we let down our guard, our intimate connections deepen. We can be vulnerable through clear and focused communication while holding compassion for ourselves and others.
Four main meridians are associated with the Fire Element: the heart, the small intestine, the pericardium, and the triple burner (sometimes called the triple warmer or triple heater). The Circulatory system is connected with these meridians to help regulate temperature and fluids in the body. In TCM, it’s believed that our Spirit or Shen lives in the heart. Spirit is an embodiment of our consciousness, our spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being, as well as our vitality. We are beings that truly live from the heart.
Click to enlarge individual images below
The Heart Meridian
Image source: Journal of Acupuncture And Meridian Studies
The Small Intestine Meridian
Image sources: Glastonbury Acupuncture + Namaha Wellness
The Pericardium Meridian
Image source: Journal of Acupuncture And Meridian Studies
The Triple Burner Meridian
Image source: Carol Macrae
Poses To Support The Fire Element
Anything and everything playful—as well as anything heart-opening (especially with the arms over the head)—supports the heart, small intestine, pericardium, and triple burner meridians. You can also support the Fire Element by practicing in a warm space with extra awareness around the heart and chest. Hello, heart-opening and back-bending!
Here are some heart opening poses that stimulate the above meridians along with some fiery poses that stimulate the Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra (think three-dimensional core strength):
Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Facing Bow)
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
Anahatasana (Puppy Pose)
Gomukasana Arms (works with the rotator cuff)
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Navasana (Boat Pose)
Plank Pose
Bakasana (Crow Pose)
Sirsasana (Bound Headstand)
Acupressure For Supporting The Heart Meridian
An acupressure point is a point on the body that can be stimulated through pressure to help maintain the flow of vital life force energy (a.k.a. Qi).
Shenmen (HT7) point is located along the heart meridian and is primarily used to relieve stress, anxiety, and insomnia. This point also helps nourish our blood and calm excess inner fire to bring overall balance and harmony to our system.
Place your thumb pad over this point and hold a consistent pressure for 60 seconds. You can either hold still or roll your thumb in gentle circles. Breathe and relax as you visualize the stress, anxiety, and excess fire releasing from your being while inviting cooling balance and harmony into your body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
Myofascial Release (MFR) For Supporting The Fire Element
Self Myofascial Release is a beautiful way of working with your fascia to support a healthy flow of Qi throughout your tissues. Fascia is connective tissue that protects and connects everything in your body! Working with this tissue using tools such as our favorite, RAD Recovery Rounds, you can massage along the points listed below.
When practicing self-MFR, be mindful of your breath. If your breath is fluid, you’re in a good place; if it’s hard to breathe, move the placement of your MFR tools so you can breathe easily. Avoid rolling on bones, bruises, or cuts. For specifics, we welcome you to join one of our monthly MFR Full Body Reset Classes!
Focus on:
Infraspinatus
Supraspinatus
Levator Scapulae
Upper portion of Lats
Triceps
Pecs
Biceps
Rectus Abdominis
QL
Erector Spinae
**Disclaimer: If you are pregnant or unsure if you should practice any of the healing tools listed above, please refer to your doctor!
Summer In The Garden & On Our Plates
Planned when the ground was still frozen and planted as the days grew longer, our gardens are now full and abundant. Months of nurturing and investment now burst into some of the foods we look forward to all year. Summer is the season of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers, berries, stone fruits, and melons. Local farmers markets brim with variety—and it’s easier (and perhaps more exciting) than ever to eat foods harvested within miles of your home (or in your own backyard).
Unsurprisingly, these staple summer crops are all rich in water, helping us stay hydrated amidst the intense summer sun and heat. ‘Tis the season of raw salads, smoothies, and in general, a pull towards lighter foods and more plant-based meals. The charge of the sun may even leave us feeling less hungry overall.
A lighter, cooling way of eating offers the perfect balance to the fire element that in so many ways drives this time of year. However, if your inner fire needs kindling, you may still feel drawn to warming foods like soup or broth, which are easy to digest and maintain the inner heat needed for motivation and overall energy. Check in with yourself about what nourishment you need right now. Hydrating and cooling picks from the garden serve you well when your inner fire is roaring—and especially if that tends to lead to overextending yourself or feeling otherwise ungrounded. But if you feel sluggish, lethargic, or stuck, the warming, body-building foods often relied upon in the colder seasons deserve space on your plate.
Summer Nutrition Reflections
What kinds of foods and meals am I drawn to on hot, sunny days?
Does my inner fire feel balanced? Am I feeling unmotivated or tired (low fire) or burnt-out from too much doing (excess fire)? How can my nourishment support balance?
How can I enjoy and appreciate the glory of bountiful local foods this summer?
Herbal Allies For Summer
The herbs we turn to for support throughout the summertime serve a similar role to our food and can help us stoke a smoldering inner fire or cool one that burns too hot.
When the energy of this season becomes chaotic or overwhelming, cooling herbs can turn down the heat. They’re also just really refreshing on hot days. A few to try:
Dandelion leaves
Hibiscus
Licorice root
Mint or lemon balm
Making an herbal infusion is an easy way to enjoy these herbs and experience their benefits while also hydrating. Add a handful of dried herbs to a large glass jar, cover with hot water, screw on the lid, and let it steep overnight. In the morning, strain your infusion and drink it throughout the day. Stash any extra in the refrigerator.
Mint, lemon balm, and hibiscus also happen to be delicious in lemonade, mocktails, and other mixed drinks.
If you need to awaken your inner fire and get going, turn to warming and circulation-boosting herbs like:
Rosemary (and other culinary herbs like thyme)
Ginger
Turmeric
Cacao
Of course, drinking these hot will really amplify their impact, heating up the body from the inside out and moving your blood and energy, clearing out stagnation, and circulating renewed life force.
Mantras for Summer
“I am worthy of joy.”
“I feel empowered and strong.”
“I celebrate connection with compassion.”
“Abundance is available to me.”