Finding Balance in Late Summer: Yoga, Seasonal Wisdom, and Self-Care
Finding Balance in Late Summer: Yoga, Seasonal Wisdom, and Self-Care
As the long, warm days of summer begin to fade, there’s a subtle shift in the air. The light changes, the evenings draw in just a little earlier, and nature itself begins to slow its pace. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this time of year is known as Late Summer—a short but vital transitional season between the fiery energy of summer and the cooling, yin energy of autumn and winter.
Whereas Western calendars divide the year into four seasons, the ancient Chinese viewed the year as having five, with Late Summer being a distinct season of its own. It is the season of abundance and harvest, symbolising the Earth element and the Stomach and Spleen organ systems. It is a time of balance, grounding, and nourishment—both physically and emotionally.
But why is this season so important, and how can practices like yoga, mindfulness, and intentional self-care help us navigate it? Let’s explore.
The Energy of Late Summer: A Time to Re-Centre
Late Summer is sometimes referred to as an “Indian Summer” in the West—a period when nature offers its final burst of warmth and growth before the cooler months arrive. Fruit trees hang heavy with apples and plums, fields brim with crops ready for harvest, and there is a sweetness in the air, both literally and metaphorically.
In TCM, this sweetness corresponds with the Earth element. Earth represents stability, nourishment, and a sense of being grounded—qualities that balance the active, outward nature of summer and prepare us for the more inward-focused seasons to come.
But this time of year can also bring challenges. Many of us experience fatigue, digestive discomfort, or feelings of overwhelm as we transition out of busy social summers into back-to-school schedules, work routines, and cooler weather. TCM teaches us that the Stomach and Spleen are most affected during this season. These organs don’t just process the food we eat—they also digest our emotions and experiences. Overthinking, worry, or emotional overload can upset this balance, leaving us feeling unsteady or depleted.
Modern Life Meets Ancient Wisdom
In today’s world, Late Summer often coincides with a sense of “back to routine” energy. After the freedom and playfulness of summer holidays, life speeds up again—school runs, full inboxes, and busy calendars can quickly take over.
This is why the wisdom of Late Summer feels so relevant: it reminds us to slow down, ground ourselves, and create space for balance and self-care rather than diving headfirst into busyness.
Just as farmers harvest their crops now, we can reflect on what we’ve been “growing” in our own lives this year. What projects, relationships, or habits are bearing fruit? Where have we put in time and energy—and what is the return?
This season invites us to be present and intentional, to gather inwards, and to prepare ourselves—physically, mentally, and emotionally—for the quieter, yin months ahead.
Yoga and Practices for Late Summer
Yoga offers the perfect toolkit for navigating this transitional season. Through movement, breathwork, and mindfulness, we can support both the physical body (especially digestion, immunity, and energy levels) and the emotional body (mental clarity, grounding, and balance).
Here are some ways yoga and related practices align beautifully with Late Summer wisdom:
Grounding Poses & Core Work
Poses that connect us to the earth—such as Mountain Pose, Goddess Pose, or Child’s Pose—help create physical and emotional stability.
Core-strengthening practices bring awareness to our centre, mirroring the season’s theme of coming back to our own inner stability.
Yin Yoga for the Stomach & Spleen Meridians
Long-held, floor-based Yin poses like Saddle, Sphinx, or Wide-Knee Child’s Pose target the meridians associated with the Stomach and Spleen, supporting digestion, immunity, and emotional processing.
Breathwork & Mindfulness
Pranayama (breathwork) and meditation help calm overthinking minds, reduce stress, and encourage the parasympathetic nervous system—the body’s rest-and-digest state—to take the lead.
Seasonal Nutrition & Self-Care
Eating seasonal, cooked foods like root vegetables, squashes, and yellow/orange produce nourishes the Earth element.
Avoiding overly cold, raw, or processed foods prevents the Spleen and Stomach from becoming overtaxed.
Reflection Practices
Journaling prompts like “What am I harvesting right now?” or “What do I need to release before the next season?” help us process experiences and emotions we may have been carrying.
The Bigger Picture: Harmony Between Yin and Yang
Late Summer represents the perfect balance of Yin and Yang energy: the active, outward nature of summer meets the inward, slower energy of autumn and winter.
By practicing yoga, eating seasonally, moving with awareness, and taking time to rest, we align ourselves with the rhythms of nature. We learn to embrace change rather than resist it, to ground ourselves when life feels hectic, and to find sweetness and nourishment—in our food, our relationships, and our experiences—without tipping into excess.
Final Thoughts: Slowing Down to Move Forward
Late Summer is a gift. It’s the pause between seasons, the moment to savour abundance, and the invitation to slow down before the quiet of autumn and winter arrives.
Through yoga, mindfulness, nourishing food, and intentional self-care, we can honour this season by finding balance in our own lives—balancing effort with ease, activity with rest, and doing with simply being.
So, as you step into this transitional season, ask yourself:
What am I harvesting right now?
Where can I create more balance and grounding?
How can I nourish myself—in body, mind, and spirit—before the next season arrives?
The answers, like the season itself, may surprise you with their sweetness.