08/12/2026
August is a time for ripening 🌾
All the hard work of planning is done. Now comes the hardest and best part: Waiting.
In tai chi, we’re used to slowing down. We take things one small step at a time, and flow from one state to another. That’s the practice. But what do we do when the flow hits a wall – when obstacles or circumstances force us to stop and wait? Do we simply stand still and stagnate? Try to force our way through? Or is there another way?
In the Chinese calendar, which divides the year into 24 solar terms that guide farming and living practices, August is a time of ripening. People and nature slowly, imperceptibly get ready for the harvest. All the hard work of planting and cultivating is done, and now there’s little left to do except protect the still-developing crop, let Mother Nature finish the job, and appreciate the beauty and efficiency of her work. We can adopt this lesson from the Chinese calendar into our modern lives and into our tai chi, too: waiting can be the hardest and the best part, a gift of time to ripen and sweeten before action is needed. Let’s explore what that looks like?
The Chinese calendar starts August with a period called the Beginning of Autumn, followed by the End of Heat. Yes, you read that right: summer’s heat only stops after fall officially begins!
Knowing the flow of seasons and energy around us helps us see obstacles – and opportunities – beforehand, so we can prepare ourselves accordingly. A great way to learn about the subtle energy shifts throughout each day and each year is to enroll in one of our online courses, including our revamped 1-Year Tai Chi for Health & Longevity course launching in September! This lifetime-certification course gives students an in-depth understanding of the Five Phases of Change that we all cycle through, including the seasons when it’s best to wait, ripen, and rest. Arm yourself with the right information today, and sign up! (Link In Bio)
