Happy August
from Yang to Yin
from Yang to Yin
The summer season can be a lot: with the glare of the sun, the many daylight hours, and the constant pull of fun things to do - there can be an element of constant doing, going, moving forward - a deep presence of Yang. Whilst we absolutely need this to get things done in our lives, this month we’re bringing this energy into balance by inviting in the Yin - the slow, gentle softening of our timelines, our to-do’s and our bodily needs. Within Yin, there is no rush, or hustle, or pressure.
There is simply the invitation to slow down, listen in, and be gently rocked by the undercurrent of feminine energy present in your life - showing yourself it is safe to lean back into the nourishment of a sacred pause.
So, this month, we’re softening, nourishing and retreating. Moving from Yang to Yin, we’re releasing external noise and pressing pause, finding our inner most gentle flow. Where our daily lives can feel hectic and non-stop, this is a time to smooth over those harsh edges and weave softness through intensity. What would this look like for you this month?
DIVE DEEPER
Monthly Mantra
It is safe to soften my timeline today
three ways to slow down & retreat
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Yoga As A Work-In
Reconnect to the practice of your mat not as a work-out, but as a work-in. In essence, Yoga is here to nourish us on all levels - body, mind and soul. So, how can you explore that for yourself this month? How can you experience your practice on a deeper level than perhaps your usual daily practice allows you to do? Perhaps you choose to find soft flows for a whole week, rather than your regular Vinyasa, or you discover new practices to regulate your system, or you simply find an extra minute after your practice to observe how that flow is landing in your body. How may your beloved practice offer you ways in which to connect with the Yin qualities of your inner world?
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A Moment of Just You
Whether you have a full day to spend with & by yourself, or half a day, or an hour - carve out some time this month to be with you. Perhaps beforehand, you feel into what you’d like to do (and if you need any food or other supplies to nourish this moment of just you). Approach this as your own mini retreat and guide yourself through nourishing practices, rituals, crafts or anything that takes your fancy, that allows you to fill up your cup and retreat from the busy outside world for a while.
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Go Analogue
Finding hobbies and interests that have little to nothing to do with any noisy apps will offer you place to go to when you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to slow down. Nourish yourself with learning a new skill, or going for a walk without headphones on, or finally reading that book that’s been sitting on your shelf for a while. You’ll learn to create a space to recharge, inspire and connect with parts of you that may go unnoticed when you’re constantly on the go.
journal prompts
to dive deeper
How are Yang and Yin present for me in this season? In what way does that feel (un)balanced?
Wie zeigen sich Yang und Yin gerade in dieser Jahreszeit in mir? Inwiefern fühlt sich das (un)ausgeglichen an?
What feels harsh, demanding or intense for me right now?
Was fühlt sich gerade hart, fordernd oder intensiv für mich an?
What feels soft, gentle and nourishing for me right now?
Was fühlt sich weich, sanft und nährend an?
How would I like to expand on this gentle nourishment?
Wie möchte ich das, was mich nährt, noch weiter wachsen lassen?
What would slowing down in this season look like for me?
Wie könnte es für mich aussehen, in dieser Jahreszeit langsamer zu werden?
THIS MONTH’S PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION
Currently Reading
“You were not just born to center your entire existence on work and labor. You were born to heal, to grow, to be of service to yourself and community, to practice, to experiment, to create, to have space, to dream, and to connect.”
Rest is Resistance is a manifesto by Tricia Hersey that speaks to anyone suffering from the toxic urgency of modern-day life. This books lays bare the systemic issues that cause us to overwork, and ultimately burn out, and offers liberation through the concept of rest. As it pushes back against everything that maintains hustle culture, rest becomes an act of resistance and a reclaiming of power. In this book, Tricia elevates rest as a divine right, and paves the way towards a more well-rested life that empowers imagination, invention and healing. It will offer you the guidance and context to craft a rest practice for long-term health, both within yourself and society as a whole.
