Opening to optimism
Tapping into joy
As I write this, we’re right at the beginning of meteorological summer here in the UK. Though the British weather has generally been its usual hit and miss self there have been signs of the transition from spring to summer over the past few weeks in the plants, the changes in the air and light and I even noticed it in my energy levels and the kinds of foods I now want to eat. I experience this shift each year, so when I originally learned that in the Chinese lunar calendar the beginning of summer (Lixia) is in early May it really made sense to me.
Summer is season of the Fire element and the most yang time of the year. The brighter, longer days of summer usually bring with them a sense of optimism, renewed energy and the desire get out more, do more and see more.
I love it when the sun is shining in my hometown of London. To me it always feels like someone has turned the colour dial right up to full, making everything look vibrant.
And maybe I’m imagining it, but people seem to smile more when the sun comes out. I certainly notice my own spirits lifting when the daylight hours are longer. It’s hardly surprising that the primary emotion linked with summer is joy.
Back in March, I wrote here about the organs associated with spring in Chinese medicine, their energetic qualities and supporting the flow of Qi through our bodies. I also shared a spring themed yin yoga practice for paid subscribers here.
In summer, the associated organs are the Heart (yin organ) and Small Intestine (yang organ). Connected to them are the Pericardium (a small sac surrounding the heart) and the Triple Heater (which describes three sub-systems that play an important role in our overall vitality).
Known as the ‘Supreme Monarch’, it is believed in some Chinese philosophies that the Heart is where the ‘Shen’ (our spiritual essence) resides. From an energetic perspective, it is the Heart that governs our ability to love and be loved, as well as playing a crucial role in our mental health. The Small Intestine is meanwhile energetically associated with our capacity for clear judgement.
As well as helping us to feel more able to give and receive love without fearing rejection, balanced Heart Qi also helps us in feeling more connected to our truth and inner compass, unafraid of boundary setting, more energetic, enthusiastic, open and trusting. On the flipside, when Heart and Small Intestine Qi is out of balance some of the ways this can manifest include: heart palpitations and heartburn, agitation, restlessness, forgetfulness, insomnia, low energy, sadness and a lack of joy, depression, intolerance, digestive issues and poor circulation.
A few tips for supporting Heart Qi in Summer:
CREATE SPACE IN YOUR DAYS: In the summer months it can be tempting to fill up your time whether it’s trying to pack in as many experiences as possible or using the longer days to get more done. However, this can have a detrimental effect on the Shen and Heart Qi, leading to overstimulation, over-excitement and the increased likelihood of making hasty decisions you might later regret. While we do want to enjoy the increased energy and enthusiasm that summer can bring, your fire can go out when you are doing too much, even when its things you like. To avoid depleting yourself it is important to allow some space in your days by not overscheduling or overburdening yourself with tasks.
MELTING HEART POSE (Anahatasana): Begin in a tabletop position on the floor. A folded blanket can be used here to pad your knees if you like.
Aim to keep your tailbone in the air and your hips and knees roughly in line with each other as you walk your hands forward on your mat. Rest palms flat and allow the centre of your chest and forehead to move towards the ground.
If you would like to add some support:
You can choose to rest your forehead on a yoga block or a few books stacked up. Another option is to rest your forearms on a bolster or cushions.
Alternatively, you may like to place a bolster or cushions under your chest.
Remain here in your Melting Heart pose for between one and five minutes, allowing your breath to be steady.
To exit, carefully guide yourself up to kneeling or come into child’s pose for several breaths.
Here’s a short video where I show how to do Melting Heart Pose
ACUPRESSURE: Shenmen, or Heart 7 (also known as ‘Spirit Gate’) is the seventh point along the Heart meridian. It is one of the main points on this meridian and it is said that stimulating this point can help to cool internal fire and nourish the blood, making it beneficial for Heart-related issues including (though not limited to) stress, anxiety, depression, panic, insomnia, chest tightness and palpitations.
Heart 7 is located at the inner wrist crease. To find it, trace a finger down the inner side of your hand to your wrist crease. At your wrist crease, move your finger slightly inwards until you find a depression.
Apply mild pressure here for fifteen to thirty seconds.
Alternate between the left and right wrist crease for between three and five minutes up to three times a day.
Now is the time
This is the season where yang energy is at its highest. You may see seeds that you planted for your life in the autumn or winter reaching maturation. If not, this is a perfect time to mirror the qualities we see being expressed in nature. Is there something you’ve been procrastinating over that you know deep down you want to do? Now is the time to act.
Interested in yin yoga? Here are some upcoming opportunities to practice with me over the next month:
IN-PERSON:
REST + RESTORE: Join me on Friday 9th June 7-8.30pm at Embody Wellness in Vauxhall. This will be a relaxing evening of contemplative practices to regulate your nervous system and restore your equilibrium. Find full details and book your place via the Embody Wellness website here.
SOFT LIFE SUNDAYS: A luxury wellness event for mid-life Black women on Sunday 2nd July 10am-4pm at Rosewood London where I’ll be offering a rejuvenating and nurturing yoga session. Find full details and book at After9 Lifestyle here.
ONLINE:
In June’s edition of The Reset I’ll be sharing a summer themed yin yoga practice. The Reset is one of my regular monthly offerings for my closed Substack community. If you’re currently a free subscriber, upgrading your subscription will give you access to all my new yoga and meditation practices here as well as my growing archive of all posts.
Mindwalk Yoga – you can find a selection of restorative yoga, yin yoga and gentle flow practices with me on Mindwalk Yoga’s Video-on-Demand App. There you’ll also find over 250 yoga practices to support your wellbeing. Download Mindwalk-Yoga from the App Store and Google Play to sign up for a 7-day free trial.
Ekhart Yoga – I have a selection of classes here including my Get Grounded Yin and Yin & Restorative Reset.
Over to you - an enquiry you might like to journal on:
How will I utilise the energy of the summer season to execute positive changes in my life?
🙏🏾🪻💜