Exploring Late Summer, Earth Element and Fluidity (from the ground up)

Late summer is the fifth season followed in Chinese five element theory. It falls through August and September, when the peak of fiery heat begins to fade and we transition to the hazy days of late summer. It’s a season to ground, find clarity and slow down to appreciate the richness of life. Think of the fruits coming in to season at this time of year - deep blackberries, sweet cherries and juicy plums. There is a richness to the landscape at this time of year and it always resonates with a feeling of ‘coming home’ to me.

This season is associated with the Earth element as well as our stomach and spleen organs responsible for a healthy digestion.

"In its central position the Earth is the pivot for all of the other Elements which encircle and spin around it. It is a place of stability within the body, mind, and spirit. From this stable anchor, change and growth can take place. Our food can be transformed and processed by the Stomach and Spleen and turned into qi that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit” 

Angela Hicks, Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture

Earth is a gently rolling hill, long golden sands, or a vast mountain range. It is varied and abundant. Emotionally, we associate the Earth element with our relationships to close family and friends. Consider the Earth as the fabric of life, our source of stability and a resource to be nurtured with integrity.

In keeping with this seasonality, we have a beautiful opportunity to explore a sense of groundedness through our yoga practice at this time of year. 

All my classes across September will be centred around the Earth element, with the opportunity to explore our sense of introspection as we sense the body from the ground up. We’ll be interweaving movement and meditation in practices designed to help find the ground beneath you, rooting in and using the Earth as a source of not just stability, but a more fluid sense of flow also.

You’ll find me teaching Yoga for Hospitality every Monday at 5pm (drop in £4) as well as covering Yin every Tuesday through September at 7.45pm (book here) at Stretch on Ada Street, Broadway Market. I can’t wait to see you there x