It’s the summer solstice and the official turning of the season. In the turn from spring to summer are the sights, smells and feel of change: shorter days, dwindling light, increasing bugs, ripening fruits and vegetables, drier, browner foliage (in California), greener, dewier fields (in Massachusetts), freshly mowed grass, parched fennel, more and more animals migrating to precious watering holes (in southern Africa)… add your own examples of summer sensory experience.
In the spirit of the solstice, let’s take a look at how the qualities of summer can support moving in new ways toward your goals.
Have in mind a change you’d like to make, whether it’s switching from coffee to tea, being more direct when you speak, updating your resume or looking for a new job. Now imagine that goal being across the room from you. Look at it and walk across the room toward your goal. Try this a few times noticing how you walk, how you feel, and where you’re looking.
Now let’s play with the qualities of summer. Make a list of the qualities of summer that you notice. Make sure to include those you enjoy. Think about how your movements change in the summer season. For me, it’s light, warm, expansive and energized.
Now imagine that a solstice is happening in your body. So, try on a lighter more energized step, or a more languid approach. And try on the opposite of your tendency playing with the idea of shifting. If you’re someone that hurries toward your goal, shift to the opposite. Take long steps, slow down and take your time moving toward your goal. And if you’re meandering, go in a straight line. Make your walk into a season change.
Walk toward your goal several times experimenting with different qualities.
Then, reflect on one or two qualities you’d like to try out just for the summer. What can you do to integrate those qualities into your action plan? How would slowing down benefit you? What would a straighter path look like? And what would it feel like one of the practices you took on was a daily walk or two toward your goal with your new summer qualities?
A solstice shift can be a resource when we’re stuck in a familiar path. And a solstice walk can be an inventive way to use the body to try out different ways of walking and moving toward our goals.
Try out a new summer strut and see how it serves you!