Late Summer

 

Earth = Color – Yellow, Nature – Yin/Yang Balance
Organs – Stomach, Spleen, Emotion – Worry/Pensive 
Taste – Sweet, Condition – Damp

There is an extra season in Chinese Medicine – Late Summer. It begins late August through Autumn equinox. Chinese Medicine believes Late Summer belongs to Earth element. This is when Earths luscious fruits and vegetables are bursting for harvest. This is a time of slowing down. Earth season acts as the transition from Yang to Yin energy

 

 

Late Summer Earthis a time of transition and a good time to relax and take a deep breath before we move from the Yang (spring/summer) energy to Yin (fall/winter) energy.  Earth is a short,  and still season, and it rests at the center of Natures cycles. You may struggle with bouts of fatigue as a response to this season, 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.

 

 

 

The Earth Element – Spleen In anatomy, Earth is represented by the organs of Stomach and Spleen. They build and maintain the entire body: Stomach is where food is prepared for absorption, and Spleen helps absorb nutrients, feeding muscle and blood. In Chinese Medicine, Spleen is not viewed as the anatomical spleen (main function to filter blood), but is responsible for digestion and nutrient absorption. Its primary function is converting food into energy, and it is the transporter of Chi, Life Force.

 

Emotionally Earth is nurturing; Providing nutrients to build blood and muscles, and creating energy for organs to work efficiently. Earth is nourishing, and grounding when healthy and balanced, and filled with anxiety and worry when out of balance. If we do too much and feel not nourished, or if we cannot stop worrying, the stomach rebels, becoming weak and tired, digestive issues, ulcers or pain in upper abdomen.

The Spleen helps generate white blood cells in bone marrow, to support the immune system. Spleen converts food into energy, but excessive worry and over thinking weakens its ability to transform nutrients, resulting in fatigue. It transforms nutrients and transports moisture, controlling the lymphatic system. Swollen legs, edema, poor lymphatic drainage, and overweight relate to an out of balance Spleen according to TCM.

Yoga for Earth Season As the organs function in good health, digestion improves, blood sugar regulates and overall good health is promoted. Yoga can provide renewal and rejuvenation to the body’s energy centers, and a meditative and mindful practice brings awareness into an inner world and sharpens self reflection and insight. Quieting the body mind with space to explore and experience physical, emotional and spiritual transformation is a deeply healing personal experience.

 

The Liver and Spleen sit on the sides of the abdomen, so lateral bending and twisting can activate these meridians. Liver and Spleen energy travels up the inner legs, so hip opening poses like Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana – Pigeon, Baddha Konasana – Bound Angle and Upavista Konasana – Wide Angle Seated Forward Fold activates these meridians.

 

Eating for Late Summer Orange and Yellow are the colors connected with Late Summer, following the fiery reds of Summer and preceding the white/off-whites of Autumn’s healing foods. Don’t combine too many ingredients and keep your flavours moderate. Sweets and processed/refined foods can aggravates the pancreas and spleen, irritate the stomach, and create excessive acid and “dampness”, resulting in feeling more anxious, tired and unwell. Resist icy sweet drinks, as the cold and sweetness put stress on the digestive system and Earth organs. Lightly cooked food on moderate temperature is easier on digestive system. Eat sour or pungent flavors to help disperse dampness and regulate digestion. Get exercise as dampness tends to settle in and make you feel lethargic.

 

Balancing Earth In Late Summer, there is rising strength in Earth energy, creating stability, settledness, and a sense of “home”. Earth corresponds with nurturing, the Mother, a sense of self-worth, bonding and formation of trust in relationships. When Earth is happy and nurtured, the Spleen is healthy with good digestion and elimination. The mind is balanced and secure, with a sense of belonging, grounding and connection. When Earth is imbalanced, we worry or have excessive mental agitation, lack of concentration or memory loss. We feel needy for food or attention, seeking sympathy or distraction. An imbalance in Earth can manifest in exhaustion, loss of appetite, poor digestion, easy bruising, bleeding disorders.During harvest we store foods to nourish through the winter ahead, and it is time to harvest and reflect. 

 

Emotionally and spiritually we begin to consolidate memories and experiences through Autumn and Winter.  Much as we harvest and preserve the fruits of summer, Earth provides the impetus to contemplate and reflect. Taking care of Earth reaps an inner harvest : energy to complete projects and fulfill needs, contentment and love of Life. With a healthy Earth, you feel at home in all situations, enjoying your efforts and have the space to love, relax, and nourish self, family and friends.

 

When Earth is off balance, internal cycles may suffer – Earth thrives on routine rhythms, which settles the nervous system, stabilises blood sugars and lowers blood pressure. Balancing work, socializing and self care is essential for healthy body, mind and spirit.

Earth is where we are rooted…where we go to renew…and from which we can grow, blossom, and live life. Everything stems from the Earth…and Late Summer is time to harvest the fruit.