In 13 years (or more), our young minds made the annual transition from summer to school. As far as routines go, it’s a very long time. For a long time, it trained our brains and created patterns. Whether or not you have kids at school, you know well when the time comes, even adults. And our minds remember the emotions and great changes of energy.
However, the huge energy shift that occurs when “start of school” does not match the natural calendar is a huge energy shift. Certainly, we often label “Autumn” at this time of year, but that’s not accurate. The autumn equinox will not be until September 22nd, and many parts of the United States will not begin to feel the nature transition into autumn until October.
Therefore, our trained minds are feeling this major change in energy, but our bodies (connected to nature) are not. Yoga often describes the “summer body experience” as an outwardly focus. We are raising awareness of outdoor beauty. Our bodies are energized by the sun in a warm and rewarding way. Our moods are naturally boosted not because of results, but simply because we have more outdoor time. This is very different from the inward-focused focus, preparing for the feel of the new outcome of “starting school.”
Because of all this, it is very common for us to feel like our mind and body connections are not in harmony during this strange time when this strange calendar and nature calendar are not meshed.
But do we need harmony? If you’re fully aware of conflicts now, what if you could use it instead of fighting it? What happens when you balance instead of harmony?
One idea is to use a summer vibe to help you prioritize rest. It’s so easy to get caught up in goal-oriented energy, you just have to use up your own self within a few weeks. But it’s literally just outside our door! A 15-minute walk or 10 minutes of soaking in the backyard sun will give you a respite to reward later. Another idea is to fully recognize conflicting energies. Beware of the inward-focused energy temptations and counter it with natural outward-focused energy in the summer. Don’t let new goals or projects get buried. Take a literal breath of summer air.
So let’s step into this calendar shift. Let us fully recognize that our minds are one way and our bodies are going in another way. And use it to find the balance in the center ground.
Until next time,
Roller
