We're tailing towards the end of summer, slipping into the Earth Element, starting to harvest the fruits of summer, transitioning between seasons. Maybe we're slowing down a bit, settling into our homes, cleaning, redecorating, resting and nesting. Or maybe you (like me) are embracing Sierra season and trekking into mountainous passes for colorful days, colds nights, and the brightest of stars. How does this transitional time— chang xia 長夏 in Chinese— look and feel for you?
"If tomorrow you were gifted the perfect day, what would your perfect day look like?" Thomas Dick, Mountain Rose Herbs VP and my fellow Herbal Radio podcast host, concludes every "Interviews on Herbal Radio" show with the same question. "Nature, relaxation, and community," answer Leah and Chloe of Rising Appalachia. "... that human beings around the planet learn respect," says 7song. "Naked on a rock in the middle of a river with everyone I care for well taken care of— and world peace," I respond, serious-joking, hopeful.
I enjoyed this lovely day, this past month. Dawn yoga, surf, lunch, hike, river plunge/ lounge, dinner, then resting in bed with a book by dark. A wonderful day: friends, food, solo time, both saltwater and freshwater immersion, and an abundance of time.
This past month of non-scheduling (besides clinic days) has been the perfect respite. "No," I said many times. "That can wait," to my overflowing inbox. "I'd love to— but let's not schedule yet," to friends, organizations, possibilities. I gave into the Elements of Ayurveda, welcoming spacy vata into what can be an overly scheduled fiery pitta life, and lazing by the river enjoying earthy kapha. A perfect day, one exhale after another, stillness amidst movement, quiet amongst chaos. A pause.
What is your perfect day?
When was the last time you experienced this?
What is filling your cup— and what is depleting it?
How can you give yourself a pause to recalibrate, revision, and realign— before continuing on your brilliant life path, your one wild and precious life?
Fallen trees replenishing the soil. Eastern Sierra, CA
Coming up
- Ecstatic Dance at Bodhi Salt in Ventura, CA. Final Fridays of each month! Free for members, sliding scale $15-30 for public. Next dance Aug. 25 with community-DJ Bryan SantaOlalla!
- Nourishing Life at the Omega Institute in upstate NY, a Five Elements immersion in a gorgeous location. All participants get a copy of my Embodying Elements workbook. Sept. 11 - 15
- Elemental Creativity at Green Gulch Farm in nor-Cal— Art, movement, and meditation with Zen Monk Fu Schroeder and Art Monk Abbess Suiko McCall! Nov. 29 - Dec. 3
Recommendations
- Enjoy new podcast interviews with fellow acupuncturists Toby Daly and Athene Eisenhardt on Herbal Radio!
- The book Hagitude beautifully interweaves myth, psychology, and memoir around “reimagining the second half of life." I’ve been raving about it with my menopausal patients, and recommend it for people with partners who will experience menopause one day, too.
- Are you an herbal aficionado, or fellow California acupuncturist? The Ojai Herbal Symposium is back! Nov. 11-12 in Ojai, CA and online. Offering 12 CEUs for acupuncturists! (Pending CAB approval)
❤️ Enjoy Earth Element time,
acupuncture . herbs . yoga
Book your acupuncture appointment here
If someone forwarded you this email & you loved it, then subscribe here!
ACU-WAITLIST │ Having trouble booking an appointment? Get on my waitlist here. I will only message if spaces open (maximum once a week). If necessary, please remember to reschedule your appointments at least 48 hours in advance, to prevent being charged for the full rate of your appointment. This allows others the opportunity to receive treatment. Thank you!
