August is the only month without a US holiday. Maybe because August itself is a holiday? Ahhhh…. summer August bliss. The month when most people in the northern hemisphere let down their hair, lay in the sun, and allow work and responsibilities to slide for just a wee bit.
Ouch! What’s that? Enter September with her raised eyebrow and sharp elbow of weather shifts, prodding us to organize and get the show back on the road.
For me, this transition always feels premature and weighty. Even the seasonal word is intimidating: fall. Isn’t that something that happens just before you twist your ankle?
Movie sequels being standard in US culture these days, if I were president, I would officially cancel September and instead create “August 2”, pushing fall to the month where all scary things belong: October.
But I digress. Since I’m not on the presidential ballot this year, I’ve made a backup plan to ease my own fall transition … at least in my asana practice.
The Problem
June, July and August are too hot and sticky where I live for a flowy vinyasa practice. In September as I return to vinyasa, I crave the seamless flow of the breath and postures, but fear the possible strain in my shoulders/neck/back that’s prone to happen when my muscles are out of shape from their summer vacation.
What to do?
Even without a hammock, I think like an aerial yogi and turn the problem on its head. Is it a strength problem? No! It’s a GRAVITY problem. How can gravity’s weighty force be redirected into something that creates levity, space, and realignment?
Solution
Change the angle. By using a hill, I redistribute the force of gravity on my body.
Here’s how I do it, and how you can do it, too:
Face uphill on standing postures to shift more weight into larger muscle groups (and larger bones) to balance physical effort and keep ease in the flow.
Then do balance postures uphill, AND repeat them downhill… for balance.
Continue facing downhill with backbends and seated postures, so that gravity can assist in flexibility and alignment.
Gravity problem solved!
May your September be easeful, and may you find creative solutions for anything weighing you down!
- Find soft ground or grass and use yoga paws (no mat) or,
- Find consistently flat ground (like a driveway) on an incline and use a mat.
- Play with different slopes to find the right balance for you.
- Move with curiosity and mindfulness as you start to explore.
