Can you feel it? The days are warm, and the sun is high. There’s a certain golden quality to the afternoon light. It signals a shift. The busy energy of midsummer is starting to soften. The longer shadows of evening are arriving a little earlier. In the quiet moments, you might hear a new, unmistakable sound. It is the call of geese, high above, as they begin migration.
Flying in their perfect V-formation, the geese offer us a living metaphor for the energy of August. A reminder that even as we enjoy the last days of summer warmth and abundance, a new season, change, is on the horizon. We can use this wisdom, this natural flow, to inform and deepen our yoga practice.
The Energy of August: A Time of Gratitude and Subtle Shift
You might have heard August referred to as the month of gratitude. This is because it is peak harvest time. A time to be thankful for everything that has bloomed and come to fruition in your life. Whether this is literal crops grown on the allotment or in the garden, or goals we set for ourselves earlier in the year, we reap the rewards of the seeds planted in spring. The lazy, sunny days invite us to slow down, pause, and reflect, and to appreciate the abundance around us.
But, there is a subtle yet unmistakable shift happening as the earth prepares for its fallow period. Just as the geese are preparing for a long and difficult journey, so too is nature preparing us for a time of turning inward. The energy is one of both holding on and letting go—a duality that we can honour on our yoga mat.
The Wisdom of the V-Formation: Lessons from the Geese
The famous V-formation of migrating geese isn’t just for show; it’s a brilliant survival strategy. By flying in this shape, each bird flies slightly above the bird in front. This reduces wind resistance. It creates an uplift for the bird behind. These factors reduce the effort needed to fly.
The geese take turns being the leader, falling back when they get tired. This means they can fly for a long time before they need to rest. This strategy makes it easier to keep track of every bird in the group, helping each member to communicate and coordinate with each other more effectively.
…in a Sangha, no person is an island.
This is a profound lesson in community and support, or Sangha. Roughly translated as community or assembly, in a Sangha, no person is an island. Just as each goose supports the next, we support each other in a yoga class. Our shared presence and intention make the journey easier for all. The geese teach us that the journey is easier when the burden is shared. We find it easier when we allow others to help us along.
Migration is also an act of preparation and instinct. The geese don’t wait for a sign from the weather forecast; they feel the deep, natural pull to move. This is a powerful reminder to listen to our own bodies’ inner wisdom. We can take a cue from the geese. We should recognise our own needs. These include when to rest, when to work hard, and when to prepare for the next phase of our lives. The act of migration is a letting go of the familiar. It is a trusting of the unknown, an embracing of change. This is the foundation of a strong yoga practice. It involves moving away from what no longer serves us, such as a tight muscle or a limiting belief that holds us back.
Nature’s Broader Message in Late Summer
It’s not just the geese that are beginning to transition. Other animals are also beginning to prepare for the shift in seasons. Squirrels start burying nuts, in preparation for the scarcity of food in the colder months. The leaves are starting to change colour, orange, red, and yellow. A sign and promise of the autumn display that’s on its way.
These are not endpoints, but natural, beautiful parts of an ongoing seasonal cycle. Change is constant and necessary. By observing these quiet shifts in the natural world, we can become more at ease with change. This can help us to accept change within ourselves.
Bringing Nature’s Lessons to the Mat: Yoga for August
So, how do we apply the August energy to our yoga practice?
Grounding and Gratitude – to ground yourself in the present and appreciate the abundance of the month, try poses that root you to the earth:
- Mountain Pose (Tadasana) is a perfect starting point. Stand tall, feel your feet on the ground, and imagine yourself as a strong, stable tree, grateful for your roots. This pose roots us to the earth, helping us feel stable, strong and present, much like the geese must feel before their momentous flight.
- Tree Pose (Vrksasana) deepens this feeling, challenging your balance and forcing you to be completely present in the moment.
Strength and Endurance – to build the inner strength for your own “migrations,” practice poses that require focus and stamina:
- Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II) and Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III) are excellent for building mental and physical endurance. They remind us that we can stand strong and face any direction, ready for what’s next.
Breath and Inner Knowing: use your breath to tap into your natural instinct:
Ujjayi breath, also known as victorious breath or ocean breath, creates a rhythmic and calming sound. It centres you and drowns out the noise of the outside world. It becomes your personal GPS, guiding you inward.
This pranayama practice involves breathing through the nose while slightly constricting the back of the throat. This constriction creates a soft, audible sound that is often compared to the sound of ocean waves. Think of breathing onto a window pane to fog it up – that’s the sound. Controlled by the diaphragm, with the length of the inhalation and exhalation equal, Ujjayi breath is very calming for the nervous system.
Final thoughts: The Gentle Shift
As you step onto your mat in these late summer days, take a moment, look up at the sky, and listen for the calls of the migrating geese. Feel the gentle shift in the air. Then, bring that awareness to your yoga practice. Remember the message from the geese that there is strength and support in community, wisdom in trusting the seasonal cycles and rhythms of nature, and power for preparing for what lies ahead.
Just as the geese must conserve their energy for their long journey, we too can use this time to align our own energy to prepare for the inward turn of autumn. Flow with the seasonal change, and as you watch the geese, remember that even in letting go, you are on the right path.
Find your inner strength…body ~ mind ~ spirit.
Namaste
Claire x
Disclaimer: The information in this post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.
Claire Fratson Yoga Warriors 
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