The seasons are changing and the first day of summer is approaching.
Can you feel the shift of the light? We’ve been along the Spanish coastline known as the Costa de Luz or the “coast of the light”. It’s a magical place for the solstice. Days are LONG.
I just met up with a powerhouse group of women from the States for our summer solstice yoga retreat at Suryalila Retreat Centre. We are in the rolling hills and sunflower fields of Cadiz. The sun doesn’t rise until 7ish and yet it sets closer to 10pm. This is something to get used to coming from Arizona, where I’m used to getting up before 5am and going to bed by 9pm.
To me, it’s more about getting in sync with the sun than it is about what time it is. The best thing is there is less need for a long night’s rest in the summer. It’s the mode of action and strong digestion, so there is an impulse of movement and activity. The Spaniards love their afternoon meal which makes so much sense. It’s the best time of day to eat because your system releases digestive enzymes midday.
So it makes it easy for us to be up experiencing the power of the morning hours or “brahmamuhurta” the ambrosial hours before the sun rises.
I love the changing of the seasons and it’s fun to see how different cultures align their lifestyles in such ways. The Spanish love their midday meal and a siesta. The small villages close down in the middle of the day and then they come alive later in the evening when the sun goes down. They have a light dinner or tapa and a glass of wine, walk the streets and let the kids play.
If you are looking for a few considerations for your own summer rhythm, grab the FREE Summer Tip Sheet or purchase the Simple Summer Meal Guide. Both are great resources to align your summer so you don’t overheat and can get the most out of the full days without burning out.
Let yourself become more fluid and soft and take on the qualities of water as you play in the summer light.
What are some of your favorite travel essentials?
I’d love to know,
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Rachel Peters is a yoga teacher, yoga health coach, lifestyle and habits expert, easeful living advocate, and lover of wild places. She leads others towards Embodying Ease through a yearlong wellness & lifestyle journey to dissolve perfectionism, embody daily habits that promote mental clarity, overall ease, and deeper connection to life on this wild ride of modern living. Learn MORE today!