Gravitational Nature

Another summer is passing, as we move toward the Autumn equinox, I hope you've had some good and replenishing moments. I love how the body remembers seasonal change, as our relationship with the sun shifts; we've done this all before. How is the start of September, this time around? I'm a mixture of enjoying harvesting some fruit and feeling the new start feel of this time of year, and looking at the calendar and wondering if I will have the energy for it all - maybe you know what I mean? 

Balance is one of the words people use when they describe which quality they would like from shiatsu; balance, centreing, calm, alignment, earthing, ground. It makes sense, when there is so much we have to attend to and so much that can attract and distract our attention, pulling us out of the centre of our own circle. Returning to ourselves and making the adjustments that our body and mind are asking of us is a constant and at times unrelenting work. Shiatsu can be an avenue of support in this and I'm offering a 10% discount for 3 sessions taken in a month, if anyone feels like some focused work as the seasons change.

”It’s also helpful to realize that this very body that we have, that’s sitting right here right now…with its aches and its pleasures…is exactly what we need to be fully human, fully awake, fully alive.”  Pema Chodron

With the oriental 5 element system used in shiatsu, we are in late summer, harvest time; the element is Earth, the emotion is sympathy or concern. The Earth element is associated with the stomach and spleen and in Zen Shiatsu it is all about about material fulfillment and having our needs met. Taking in nourishment from food, digesting and transforming to energy; warming yellow subtly sweet food is great for this time of year, think of root vegetable soups, rice and dahl. It is also the capacity to reach into life and take what we want. When the Earth energy is imbalanced, we can have a tendency to worry, overthink and to lose ourselves in over-giving to others. Many of us can relate to how this imbalance shows up. We can use this time to pause and reflect, in a deep down in the belly sense, what nourishes, resources and supports us? Taking our needs seriously, because our health, vitality and life force depend on it. 

In this naturally abundant time, we can lean into our relationship with the Earth, helping ourselves to apples, plums and pears where we can find them. Remembering the resource, unconditonal support and intelligence of nature that we are a part of and can and re-associate ourselves with; the living ground beneath our feet.

"Gravity is the soul's reminder that we belong here, on this Earth."

 — Coleman Barks (inspired by Rumi)

MOVEMENT MEDICINE

Sunday morning dance class starting again on September 7th 10.30 -12.00 Rose Hill Community Centre. Come as you are, breathe, move, release - enjoy and explore your embodiment and elemental nature .https://www.movementmedicineoxford.uk

From September 5th I'm changing to work Friday mornings in Sandford-on-Thames. Monday afternoons I remain at Bullingdon House, East Oxford and Wednesday and Friday I'll now be working from home. In October I will be working from a new address at Rose Hill, with a new working pattern, alongside Mondays at Bullingdon House. I will be in touch with details closer to the time.