Yin Yoga for Late Summer: The Earth Element & Meridians
Late summer is a unique season in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It sits between the expansive energy of summer and the more inward energy of autumn, inviting us to slow down, nourish ourselves and find a sense of stability.
In the Five Element system of TCM, late summer is associated with the Earth element. Earth represents grounding, nourishment, balance and our ability to receive and digest – not only food, but also experiences, emotions and everything life brings our way.
This makes late summer a beautiful time for a grounding Yin Yoga practice: one that encourages us to settle, soften and reconnect with the centre of the body.
The Earth Element in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Each of the five elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine is connected with a season, a pair of organs, particular meridians and emotional qualities.
The Earth element is associated with:
Late summer
Spleen Meridian
Stomach Meridian
Nourishment and digestion
Grounding and stability
The emotion of worry and overthinking
The Spleen and Stomach are traditionally considered central to our ability to transform and transport nourishment throughout the body. For this reason, the Earth element is closely connected with the idea of being nourished, supported and rooted.
Emotionally, an imbalance in the Earth element is traditionally associated with excessive thinking, worry or difficulty letting the mind settle. A balanced Earth quality, on the other hand, can be experienced as a feeling of being centred, supported and at home in ourselves.
The Spleen & Stomach Meridians
The Spleen and Stomach meridians form the main energetic pair associated with the Earth element.
Both meridians have pathways through the legs, abdomen and torso, making the lower body and centre of the body particularly relevant when practising Yin Yoga for late summer.
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The Spleen Meridian begins at the big toe and travels along the inner leg toward the pelvis and abdomen. Its pathway continues through the torso and chest.
In Yin Yoga, poses that create sensation along the inner legs, hips and abdomen can therefore be used when working with the Spleen Meridian.
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The Stomach Meridian begins below the eye and travels down through the face, neck and chest before continuing through the abdomen and along the front of the leg toward the second toe.
This makes the front body, abdomen, hips and quadriceps interesting areas to explore in a late-summer Yin Yoga practice.
Yin Yoga for Late Summer & the Earth Element
While summer encourages us to expand and express, late summer offers a natural transition toward grounding and nourishment.
A Yin Yoga practice inspired by the Earth element can therefore focus on the hips, inner and outer legs, abdomen and lower body, using longer-held poses to cultivate a sense of steadiness and presence.
Rather than trying to achieve a particular shape, allow the practice to become an opportunity to slow down and notice what you need. Use props whenever they help you feel more supported.
Think of this practice as a moment to come back to your centre, digest the experiences of summer and prepare gently for the change of season.
Late Summer Earth Element Yin Yoga Sequence
Dragon Pose
From all fours, step one foot forward and place your hands on your knee; gently allow the pelvis to move forward and down as you relax the surrounding muscles.
Sphinx Pose
From lying on your belly, come onto your forearms and let your chest gently lift while keeping the lower body relaxed.
Swan Pose
From all fours, bring one leg forward into a pigeon-like shape and allow the front leg and hip to settle naturally—there’s no need to force the foot into any particular position.
Disciple Pose (Anahatasana)
From all fours, keep your hips above your knees, walk your hands forward and gently melt your chest toward the mat.
Happy Baby Pose
Lie on your back, draw your knees toward your chest and hold the outer edges of your feet or your ankles, allowing your knees to soften toward the floor.
Supine Twist
Lie on your back, draw your knees toward your chest and gently lower them to one side while keeping your shoulders relaxed toward the mat.
Practice Yin Yoga With Me
Want to explore Yin Yoga beyond this sequence? Join me for one of my online Yin Yoga classes and take some time to slow down, reconnect and explore the practice together.
Classes are 60 minutes, donation-based and held live on Zoom.
Your first class is free.