 Summer Heat Wave.Late Summer is coming with its hot, muggy weather and afternoon thunderstorms. Late summer is one of the Five Seasons in Classical Chinese Medicine. This season is the “dog day afternoons” of late August and “Indian Summer” , which are often hotter and damper days thick in humidity and a feeling of heaviness in the air. This often parallels the way our bodies feel in this season.You may struggle with bouts of fatigue these days, and this low energy and/or motivation is usually triggered by over-exertion, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep from the activities of Summer Fire. Make sure you get proper rest, exercise, stress reduction and nutrition to boost your energy in this Earth time. Late Summer Earth is a time of transition and a good time to relax, eat fresh food, and enjoy family and friends. Earth is a short, languid and still season, and it rests at the center of Natures cycles. This theory of interrelationship describes how we are influenced by Nature – we are actually energy beings. All life—human, plant, animal, and Universal—are connected in the larger macrocosm of life, which shows in the microcosm of our daily lives.Yoga is especially effective to treat fatigue, combining movement, rest and stress reduction as it cultivates Chi (life force energy) and activates the parasympathetic nervous system (Rest and Renew response). Practicing Yoga can address the physical, emotional and energetic causes of fatigue, and facilitate self-observation and self-inquiry. |
