August Theme: Clarity Through Space
Breathing Room: Clarity and Spaciousness in the Heat of Summer
As we step into August, we arrive at the height of Pitta season—when the sun blazes high, the air is thick with heat, and the fire within can start to burn a little too brightly. Governed by the elements of fire (agni) and water (apas), Pitta energy is purposeful, passionate, and precise. But when imbalanced, that intensity can tip into irritability, burnout, and overwhelm.
If you’ve been feeling run down, spread thin, or out of sorts—you’re not alone. Me too.
The combination of summer heat, the natural drive of Pitta within me, Mercury Retrograde’s shake-ups, and a few surprise life lessons from the universe has me feeling all of it.
So how do we find clarity in the heat, in the swirl of retrograde, and in the ever-changing nature of life?
This month, I’m choosing to find it through space.
Clarity Through Space (Ākāśa)
When the inner fire flares too high, the space element—ākāśa—is the balm. Ākāśan offers stillness, perspective, and breath. It doesn’t extinguish the fire, but it gives it room—so the flame can glow rather than burn out.
Think of space like the wide-open sky that holds the sun. Without it, the heat becomes suffocating.
Pitta types often crave room—choosing the aisle seat, opening windows, resisting crowded schedules. Whether or not you identify as a “Pitta,” this season may stir a longing for more space, more breath, more pause. More being.
“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” — Lao Tzu
When we slow down, get quiet, and clear the mental clutter… something magical happens. Like the sky after a storm, the fog lifts. Thoughts settle. Truth reveals itself—naturally. You don’t have to force clarity. You just have to make space for it.
This Month at Moonflower: Inviting Spaciousness on All Levels
🌀 In Practice
On the mat, we’re inviting in shapes that create room in the body—especially around the belly, chest, and hips where heat tends to gather. Expect wide-legged folds, slow twists, and restorative postures like Supta Baddha Konasanawith arms extended open to the sky.
✨ In Breath
Cooling pranayama—like Sheetali or Nadi Shodhana—helps release heat and quiet the mind. Even just a few deep, conscious breaths can make a world of difference.
🌿 In Daily Life
Create space between your commitments. Step outside. Gaze at the sky. Touch grass. Let go of the to-do list for a moment. Give yourself permission to do nothing—and feel no guilt. That pause is medicine.
💬 In Communication
During Mercury Retrograde (through August 11), slow down and speak with intention. Double-check messages. Breathe before you respond. Sometimes what’s unspoken says the most. And once retrograde ends, take a quiet moment to reflect—What have you learned in the stillness?
A Gentle Practice to Try: Uni-Tasking
In a world that celebrates multitasking, uni-tasking—doing one thing at a time with full presence—is a radical act of spaciousness.
By focusing on one task at a time, we:
Reduce mental clutter
Improve clarity and decision-making
Feel more grounded and less reactive
Create breathing room for insight to emerge
Just like a spacious yoga pose or a mindful pause, uni-tasking brings us back to the present—and that’s where clarity lives.
So this month, soften the structure.
Air out your calendar, your lungs, your limbs.
Trust that in the space you create, clarity will return.
With love and cool breezes,
Katie