Connections in Early Summer

Early Summer? Isn’t it strange when the weather doesn’t match our expectations and our desire for warmth, sunshine and blue skies!

This short season is the warm up for the arrival of full Summer. The time to start stretching our fascia and connective tissue, preparing for that full on expansiveness (and hopefully heat) of Summer.

So what can we do to embrace this short season?

Looking after our physical body….

• Introduce a daily stretching routine. The Dao Yin of the Dragon is an ideal practice to warm and stretch the connective tissue while also guiding and moving energy through the entire body
• It strengthens the spine, keeps the joints mobile and deeply massages the internal organs
• Hydrate, drink more water
• Body brush before your shower and take time to massage in oil or moisturiser afterwards
• How about a cold shower or wild swimming? Research confirms the physical and mental benefits of both

Connecting to your emotions 😀😢😂😝🤨😫😡😳😱🤯

• Make time to connect to how you are feeling. Checking in with your emotions is a practice you can repeat throughout your day. It’s easy, just ask yourself “How do I feel?” and then acknowledge the emotions without judgement. Just like the breath emotions can come and go, if we let them
• Who or what makes you feel connected? Make time to catch up with friends, activities or places where you feel a deep sense of support and connection

And finally, how is your mind?

• Check in with yourself regularly and without judgement
• If your mind is busy and stretched in lots of different directions try to make time for meditation, a walk in nature every day or treat yourself to a new journal. Writing down your lists, thoughts, worries is a great way to empty your mind and create a space for calmness and a sense of space