Alaine's Guide to the Summer Wind-down

The final hazy, lazy days of summer 2012 are trickling in. Hopefully, by now, we have rediscovered how to relax, slow down time, and have a few meaningful adventures.

Every seasonal change encourages journeys within as well. If we find ourselves relaxing near a body of water, we’re encouraged to release our minds (and visit new information and wisdom collected). A summer hike through nature creates a bypass of the daily distraction of the material world. Even traveling on the highways or sitting in traffic reminds us of how populated the world truly is. Do not lose hope in your participation in the greater pursuit of PEACE. Journey within. Relax into this moment. Resist the urges to get up and go. Walk, don’t run. Breathe, and simply take in the late warm summer breezes that are still coming your way. 

Five Peaceful Practices of Savoring Summer:

1. Look up, witness a summer starlit night. Pause ... make a wish.
2. Purposely empty your mind before you go to sleep. Ask for a summer’s dream. Have a journal ready to record your personal images.
3. Visit a local farm stand, purchase seven pieces of fruit. Honor and eat one daily.
4. Find a forest or hiking trail and visit it at a different time of day than usual. Notice the variations of light because you and the Earth are changing times.
5. While stuck in traffic, scan your stereo, find that old summer tune, drop the windows, and sing out loud from your summer soul.

A gifted medium, yogi, teacher and spiritual guide, Alaine Portner has been making a difference in the lives of the community for the past 30 years. Her ability to engage others with compassion, humor and straight-to-the-heart insight has provided her with a loyal following. Her vision is to assist all of her students, both male and female, in discovering their own physical and spiritual energy through yoga mediation, insight and exercise.

For more information about Alaine Portner, visit http://alaineportner.com/index.php.

For more information about The Yoga Center of Medford or to schedule a class visit, http://www.yogacenterofmedford.com or call 609-654-9400.