Summer? Really? For us in Scotland the weather doesn’t seem to be matching the season yet!
Nature is at its fullest expression, the garden is in full bloom, the crops are growing and growing nicely building towards their harvest. We should also be feeling as if we are at the peak of our energy. Time to get outdoors for exercise, walking, jogging, cycling , playing tennis or just sitting in the park, garden or in nature, watching the bees, smelling the freshly cut grass or the perfume of the flowers.
The element associated with Summer is the Fire Element. Fire can be a destructive element but also symbolises purification. It represents peak power. Reaching your fullest potential, pushing yourself to reach whatever goals, dreams or ideas you want to realise.
The organs associated with Summer are the Heart and Small Intestine. The heart pumps the blood around our body and is associated with the emotions of love, passion, joy and connection.
The Small Intestine works to digest our food and then releases the nutrients and minerals into our bloodstream to be distributed throughout the body by the heart. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the small intestine is believed to separate the truth from the untruth, your “gut feelings”, discerning what is good for you and what is not!
So no matter what the weather brings this Summer, here are some tips to help you realise your peak potential this season…
- Establish a daily exercise routine which builds heat in the body: Sun Salutations, Dolphin Dips, Jogging, Cycling, fast walking, tennis
- Lighten your diet, smaller portions, steam or boil vegetables , eat bitter salad leaves, increase your water intake
- Set yourself a challenge, see it through to completion! Push yourself even if its only for a short period of time
- Think about what you are grateful for in your life before you go to sleep.
- Share your love, gratitude and passion with others
- Humour is a great tonic. Find things or people who make you laugh
- Its OK to say “No” sometimes, watch for burn out
- Try to connect with others in whatever way is available to you
Why not start your day with a few Sun Salutations to get your energy and body moving. Don’t forget to warm up first with some gentle breathing exercises and stretches such as cat/cow, side bends and gentle squats.
So, happy Summer everyone, hope you can get outdoors, enjoy some sunshine and meet up with friends and family xx
Yoga with Liz 