Transitions…

We are in my favorite season; late summer. A short, but important time of the year that the five element theory associates with the Earth Element.

It is that sweet and special time of the year, before the Fall where we get warm long days and even a welcome hot spell, summer’s final farewell.

It was so hot a few days ago that I made a batch of golden milk popsicles.

Last night, however, I forgot to close the windows in the kitchen after dinner and it was so freezing in there this morning that we all were wearing our slippers and fleeces. My daughter even went to school with a winter hat, but with a T-shirt under her sweatshirt for the inevitable 70 degrees that will arrive by lunchtime.

This is a time of preparedness and intense transition, both in great nature and within ourselves.

During these transitional times, it is extremely important to stay centered and grounded, in contact with the Earth, so we don’t spin out of control and slip into feelings of anxiety and chaos.

In Katonah Yoga® theory, we speak a lot about center and circumference. Finding center between heaven and earth, right and left, past and potential, the inner and outer worlds. If you know the Magic Square, this would be Room 5, the middle from which all polarity is mediated. This is the crossroads of consciousness, a place of awareness for relaxation and balance.

How to achieve this in a time of such transition and busyness? That is where the practice can help you. This is why the practice changes from season to season, and for the "seasons of your life" as well.

Diet and digestion are always important, but especially now, with the organs associated with late summer and the Earth element being the Stomach and the Spleen, pay more attention to what your body wants and needs.

On warm days, we can still eat light. This week I even made what will probably turn out to be my final batch of granola for the year. This morning I made warm oatmeal.

As the equinox approaches and darkness becomes more dominant, we need to shift to a more warming and building diet. So excited for all the squash!

When we are balanced and centered, we can see and hear everything around us. We can go in the direction of our choosing.

Join me this week for practices that help mediate polarities and find the center and circumference.

With so much love,
Kari