August is a real turning point for me. The days are still long, but the sunlight is different—it’s softer and more golden. The extreme heat of July is fading, and I can already feel the evenings getting cooler and the light starting to fade a little earlier each day.
It’s a month of contradictions, especially after the heatwaves we’ve had. We’re still in the peak of summer, but you can feel autumn in the air. Like nature, we’re being asked to slow down. Leaves are starting to change colour, and berries are ripening, which are quiet signs that the season is shifting. This is a chance for all of us to be present and find inspiration from the natural world.
This transition is a perfect time to deepen your yoga practice. Beyond the physical poses, yoga is a way of living that connects us to each season. By turning inward on your mat, you can mirror this natural slowing down and learn to nourish your body, mind, and spirit by moving with the season’s new rhythm.
So, how can we embrace this shift? Here are some suggestions on how to align your yoga, diet, and daily routine with the energy of the season.
Your August Yoga Practice
Hot summer temperatures can often leave us feeling a little scattered. This is a great time to take a more meditative approach to your yoga. In my classes, we’ve been embracing a slower, more intentional practice that works with the heat by promoting stillness, reducing body temperature, and calming the mind. This is exactly what our bodies and minds need right now.
- Cooling Breathwork: We’ve been starting with the cooling practice of Sitkari Pranayama (the Hissing Breath). With your teeth gently touching, part your lips and inhale slowly through your teeth, making a soft hissing sound. Then, exhale slowly through your nose. It’s a great way to feel cooler, soothe irritability, and promote deep relaxation.
- Restorative Poses: This isn’t the month for a fast-paced vinyasa flow. Intense, fast-moving practices can increase the body’s internal heat (pitta), which is already high in the summer, leaving you feeling tired and more agitated. Instead, we’ve been focusing on restorative and Yin poses with long holds. Poses like Child’s Pose (Balasana), Reclining Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana), and Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani) are perfect for releasing heat and feeling calm.
- Practice Outdoors: I like to take my practice into the garden whenever I can to feel the earth beneath my feet, and I encourage you to do the same. This practice, often called “earthing” or “grounding,” can connect you to the season’s energy and help you feel more stable. Plus, the cool grass feels great underfoot!
Nourishment: Eat with the Season
August is the ultimate harvest month, with produce that is both delicious and incredibly hydrating. The best way to beat the heat isn’t just with a cool drink, but with the right foods. According to Ayurveda, eating with the season helps balance the body’s internal heat, or pitta dosha, which naturally rises in summer. By aligning your diet with the rhythm of nature, you’re not only enjoying produce at its peak but also supporting your body’s natural need for cooling and hydration.
- Go for Hydration: Build your meals around foods with high water content. Think ripe watermelon, sweet strawberries, juicy tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers. These are packed with vitamins and electrolytes that replenish your body naturally.
- Simple is Best: I think the heat of August calls for “no-cook” or low-cook meals. A watermelon and feta salad with mint is one of my personal favourites.
- Grill your way to dinner: Take advantage of the long evenings by grilling seasonal produce like corn on the cob, courgettes, and bell peppers. This simple cooking method brings out their natural sweetness and helps to preserve their nutritional value. It’s a fast, flavourful, and light way to enjoy a healthy dinner.
Wellbeing: Slowing Down
By embracing the transition from summer to autumn, you can support your body, mind, and spirit as the seasons change. The practices of yoga, nourishing your body with seasonal foods, and cultivating presence are powerful tools that help you release the busy energy of summer and find a new sense of groundedness.
- Practice Presence: Leave your phone at home and take a walk. Notice the sound of the wind, the feel of the sun, and the vibrant colors of late-summer. This simple act of mindful walking can be a powerful way to calm a busy mind and help you feel more grounded.
- Nurture Your Creativity: Use the inspiration of the season for a creative outlet. Try writing, photography, or starting a nature journal. Getting creative can help you process your thoughts and emotions, leading to a deeper sense of calmness. It will also help you to shift your focus to the present moment, which can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Journal with Gratitude: The end of summer can feel rushed, so reflecting helps you pause and hold onto the positive energy and lessons from the past few months. Think about what you’re grateful for. Journal prompts might include:
- What have you felt most grateful for? This could be the chance to spend more time outdoors or to reconnect with friends and family.
- What are you ready to let go of? Consider letting go of the guilt you might feel for not being as productive as you wanted to be over the summer.
- What do you want to carry forward? This could be a new habit, like a yoga class or another group you’ve joined, that you want to continue throughout the darker months.
August Wellness Reset
This isn’t just a trend; it’s a way of living that connects us to nature. Humans are part of nature, and just as the earth cycles through seasons of growth and rest, so do we. By living in line with these natural rhythms, you respect your body’s innate need for different kinds of energy and activity throughout the year. It can lead to better sleep, improved mental clarity, and a deeper sense of inner peace. Ultimately, this approach helps you to not only thrive but also to embrace each phase of life—recognising that this isn’t about the end of summer, but the new beginning of autumn. I don’t know about you but I’m already looking forward to crunchy leaves, pumpkins, Halloween, and spiced chai lattes!
Find your inner strength….body ~ mind ~ spirit.
Namaste
Claire x
Claire Fratson Yoga Warriors 
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