The gift of rain

August marks the seasonal peak of high summer. Yes, despite the rain- it is still summer! The 1st of August is the ancient Celtic feast day of Lughnasah or Lammas, the feast of the grain harvest. We are surrounded by the signs of ripening fruits and crops and abundant flowers marking the beginnings of the harvest season.

We live in a land much dominated by the weather and it is a topic of discussion during many of our day to day conversations. And let’s confess, a lot of that is about complaining isn’t it? Indeed, we think about clouds and rain as “bad” weather. Just as easily however, we could don our waterproofs, open our brollies and enjoy the odd shower, taking delight in the brief and frequent windows of sunshine that appear amidst the clouds and celebrating the precious gift of abundant life-giving water. Have a look at the Cloud Appreciation Society  for some real weather-lovers.

One of the many gifts of yoga can be a greater peace with nature and an acknowledgment and acceptance of the energy of each season. Through our practice we learn how it feels to stop struggling – with our bodies, with our breath and with our thoughts- even if we only catch a glimpse of how this feels. Off the mat, this can carry over into our relationship with the world. In August, we invite you to continue to share this, and the many other gifts of yoga with us.