AUGUST
The Sunday of Summer
Reflections by Emily Bingham
The last full month of summer is upon us, and with it I’ve noticed a subtle swell of pressure — both internal and external — to squeeze as much as I can out of this season before fall arrives. My calendar is packed, my garden is bursting, everything is alive and abundant — I am grateful! — and yet I also find myself starting to feel a little depleted, a little overextended. And in those moments I remember the words of Mary Oliver in her poem “The Old Poets of China:”
“Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe
that I do not want it. Now I understand
why the old poets of China went so far and high
into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.”
The world offers me its busyness — but do I want it? Maybe not quite so much of it, actually. So as we stride into the bright hum of August, I’m feeling called to be more intentional about weaving in time for slowness and softening — adding in a little more cooling, quiet yin energy to balance out all of summer’s fiery yang.
For me this feels like committing to less screen time and more presence, turning off notifications, saying “no” to events that don’t resonate, meeting friends for sunsets and slow walks in the woods, and embracing practices like journaling, restorative yoga and yin yoga (thank you for making this so accessible, Calm and Surrender teachers!)
How about you? What comes up for you when the world offers you its busyness? What do your body and spirit yearn for in these golden days of summer, and how might you give that to yourself?
With love and gratitude,
— Emily Bingham
MEDITATE
A Leo season meditation by queen Brenann Woodruff. Use it as needed.
LISTEN
Land in August’s season of manifestation and expansion through this playlist, created to raise your vibration. Take her on your walk, cleaning your house, running errands, or put headphones on and land. Wherever you take her — let her open and expand your heart.
Created for you by Lindsay Stollenwerk
May you land this month.
May this month arrive like a warm exhale—soft, golden, and full of grace.
May you find stillness in the in-between.
May the long light remind you there is time.
Time to pause. Time to play. Time to gather what this season has been teaching you.
As the edges of summer begin to blur,
May you feel rooted in your body,
Open in your heart,
And steady in your rhythm.
Here’s to walking into August with presence,
And letting it hold you like the soft end of a song.
COMING IN FOR LANDING
As the cooler seasons approach, nature begins to slow—and so can we. This is the time to turn inward, reconnect with yourself, and create space for deeper inner work.
At The Space, we’re here to support that journey. Whether you’re ready to dive into our Yoga Teacher Training, join us off-site for one of our upcoming Renewal Retreats, or drop into a transformative workshop, you’ll find offerings designed to help you grow, reflect, and realign.
This season invites stillness, clarity, and connection. Let it be the beginning of something meaningful.
