To do, or not to do, this summer?

Summertime conjures up images of lounge chairs, tropical drinks, and lazy days. Or maybe it’s bonfires, backyard BBQs, and open roads…?

While many of us have some sort of break during the coming months, how we use our freedom can vary wildly. Some days we dive straight into a hammock with a good book, while on others, the best way to recharge is a game of beach volleyball with friends. So when faced with a quintessential, idyllic, “no-plans” summer day, we find ourselves asking—to do, or not to do?

This very same question often comes up in a movement practice. There are days when you need sweaty intensity, and lying still feels like the ultimate challenge. On others you know that the best way to care for your body is to simply help it rest. It’s so important to listen to that internal guidance, and choose a practice that supports your need for stimulation, relaxation, or anything in between. Yoga runs the gamut from restful Restorative to fast-paced Vinyasa Flow precisely because both needs are equally important.

One of the best things about summer is the heightened opportunity for spontaneity. The days are longer, the nights are warm, and the world outside becomes our playground. Just don’t succumb to any ideas about what this season—or your practice—is “supposed” to look like. Whether you decide to re-energize through rest or feed your spirit with fun, if you’re honoring your own needs, you’re doing summer just right.