Planning Ahead: Considerations for August 2025
Holidays & Observations, Doshas, Seasons, Moon Phases
Contents
August Highlights
Seasonal Dosha-Balancing
Moon Phases
Holidays & Observations
Applying Knowledge of Seasons & Cycles
Customizable Content that You Can Distribute
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Recent Newsletters
August Highlights
Northern Hemisphere: Pitta Season, moving into Harvest
Southern Hemisphere: Kapha Season, moving into Spring
Lammas & Imbolc
Lionsgate 8-8 Portal
Ganesh Chaturthi
August 1st: Another turn in the wheel of the year
The Wheel of the Year gives us a very tangible way of integrating sunlight and shadow, light and dark, yin and yang, inner and outer, and heaven and earth, into our lives and into our yoga practice. At the summer solstice when the light is at its most expansive, we learn to stay connected to the inner wisdom and healing powers of darkness. At the winter solstice when darkness has peaked, we learn to create a space within our own hearts for the return of the Sun. The Wheel of the Year is a living mandala. It is a pilgrimage around the seasons of the year that connects us to an ancient Earth wisdom. The Wheel of the Year gives the Seasonal Yoga practitioner a tool to work with and gives order and a structure to our enquiry.
Jilly Shipway (online link no longer availabe)
August 8th: Lionsgate
When the Sun is in the zodiac of Leo and Sirius rises after being hidden, their energies intensify and Earth is able to receive “light energy” from both of these celestial bodies. Our Sun is already warm and nourishing enough and delivers the energy of life, but imagine what happens when it combines its powers with Sirius. If we think of this symbolically, it is like planet Earth is being bathed with two of the most powerful lights in the sky. This light energy can enhance spiritual awakenings, bring about new insights or a new awareness and it can also help to raise the consciousness of the planet.
Seasonal Dosha-Balancing
Northern Hemisphere
Pitta-balancing practices
Pitta-balancing asana (poses)
Southern Hemisphere
Moon Phases
Aligning with Moon Phases
Moon Phases (use quick menu to navigate)
Holidays & Observations
Aug 1st - Lammas / Lughnasadh
“Lughnasadh” is pronounced LOO-nah-sah.
Also called “Lammas” (pronounced LAH-mahs), it is held halfway between summer solstice and fall equinox.
Lammas marks the beginning of the harvest season.
Common symbols are connected with reaping of corn.
Theme ideas and readings here.
Aug 1st - Imbolc
Imbolc / Imbolg is also known as Candlemas, St. Brigid’s Day and the Feast of Brigid.
Imbolc is pronounced “EE-molc” or “IM-olk” and means “in the belly” to refer to the pregnancy of ewes.
It is one of four traditional Gaelic seasonal (“fire”) festivals.
Held halfway between winter solstice (yule) and spring equinox (ostara), Imbolc marks the beginning of spring and the beginning of the agricultural year.
It also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden.
Theme ideas and readings here.
Aug 26th - Ganesh Chaturthi
Also known as “Vinayak Chaturthi” or “Vinayaka Chavithi,” Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival in honor of Lord Ganesha, known as the remover of obstacles (“vighna” = obstacle).
The festival begins on Shukla Chaturthi, the fourth day of the waxing moon and ends on the 14th day of the waxing moon period.
The last day of the ten-day-long festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is known as Anant Chaturdashi. “Anant” means eternal or infinite, and “Chaturdashi” refers to the 14th day of the lunar cycle.
More here.
More Timely Resources
Downloadable planning tools are complementary with membership. Get them here.
Applying Knowledge of Seasons & Cycles
If you’re interested in aligning with natural events but not sure where to start, here are some ways you might engage, starting with simple awareness and progressing through more active involvement as desired.
You can simply become aware of the current natural phenomena. You may begin to make observations and associations with the energy of this phase.
You can go a little deeper by educating yourself on related themes and practices designed to align with the energy. You might experiment with practices on your own or in community.
You might be inspired to incorporate a particular element into your teaching or service work, such as a reading aligned with the theme, or a yoga pose, breathing practice or mantra, for example.
You can design a yoga class or other event that is fully aligned with the themes and energy of this phase.
Planning a Yoga Class
Are you interested in planning a class that is aligned with the themes or energies of a moon phase, seasonal event, holiday or other observation? Here’s a step-by-step approach:
Clear your mind and prepare to be open and creative by practicing / meditating. During or afterward, choose your class intention. Strategic Class Planning: A Process for Inviting Inspiration
Explore teachings and curations to support your intention. Seasonal Yoga & Calendars Hub.
Choose an asana focus and select a sequence. Planning & Sequencing Hub (And teaching toolkits include suggestions)
Invite students to the theme-based class.
Create a class plan. Class Builder
Set aside time before class for personal practice (no matter how brief) to ensure you are embodying the teachings. Personal Practice & Study
Customizable Content that You Can Distribute
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Recent Newsletters
Timely
Planning Ahead: Considerations for July 2025 — Holidays & Observations, Doshas, Seasons, Moon Phases link
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Health & Wellness
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For more: Newsletter Archive