Summertime - Smooth & Steady

An excellent way to boost and balance your life energy is to become more in synch with the energy flows of nature. When you do this, your life energy system works more effectively and efficiently, and you are able to gain more life energy from the earth, the heavens, and the environment around you.

One way to become more in synch is to shift the way that you practice at the beginning of each new season.

For example, at the beginning of summer you want to shift your practice to help your body and life energy take advantage of what the energies of summer naturally do for plants, animals, and other creatures.

While spring brings with it quick bursts of change and fast growth, summer brings smoother change and steady growth.

These qualities of summer are obvious when we think about the ways trees and other plants grow.

During the summer you want your practice to become smooth and steady. So when you practice, be sure to gently and steadily stretch your muscles and open your joints. Also, particularly emphasize the outward expressions of energy in your movements,

You don't need to try very hard - if you just give a little effort, then the energies of summer will carry that effort into results within your body and life energy. The trees and plants don't try to grow in the summer - they just do, because the conditions are right for growth.

In the summer, don't strive for, look for, or expect big improvements or shifts. Instead, allow your system to gradually and steadily gain more stretch, more flexibility, more openness, and more energy.

Another key is to keep your practice regular and steady. Try to practice almost every day, even if it's for a short period of time. For plants, summertime means growth - give them regular sun and water and watch them go. Your body and energy also will grow in the summer - they just need some regular input of practice.

Finally, don't vary your practice too much. Pick something that you'd like to develop during the summer and do so - whether it's learning a new set of movements or refining some particular aspect of movements you already know.

Enjoy.

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