Rooted in ancient agricultural traditions, Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a festival of gratitude and abundance. Interestingly, this seasonal shift and the essence of Lammas can be beautifully aligned with yoga practice. Just as farmers gather the fruits of their labour during this time, yogis can reap the rewards of their inner work through self-discovery and connection. This blog post will explore the meaningful connection between Lammas and yoga and how this union can inspire us to cultivate a bountiful harvest within ourselves.
The Significance of Lammas
Lammas, celebrated on August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere, is an ancient Celtic festival honouring the Celtic god Lugh, the deity of light, wisdom, and craftsmanship. It signifies the halfway point between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox when the days grow shorter. Traditionally, it was a time of gathering the season's first fruits, such as grains and berries and acknowledging the tireless efforts of farmers and nature's abundance. At its core, Lammas encourages us to appreciate the blessings in our lives, give thanks for what we have, and prepare for the coming changes.
Yoga is more than just a physical practice of stretching and bending. It is a holistic approach to life that encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. One of the foundational principles of yoga is the concept of aparigraha, meaning non-grasping or non-attachment. Just as farmers must release the fruits of their labour to share them with others, yoga teaches us to let go of our attachments, fears, and worries, enabling us to open ourselves to life's abundance and possibilities.
The Parallels Between Harvest and Growth
We witness the tangible fruits of nature's growth and nourishment during Lammas. Similarly, we embark on an inner journey of self-discovery and growth through yoga. Yoga helps us sow the seeds of mindfulness, compassion, and self-awareness, which, when nurtured, sprout into transformative experiences. As we tend to our inner landscape, like farmers tending their crops, we cultivate a bountiful harvest of peace, contentment, and self-realization.
Gratitude and Contentment
Lammas is a time of gratitude for the abundance bestowed upon us. Similarly, gratitude is a fundamental aspect of yoga philosophy. By practising gratitude in yoga, we learn to appreciate the little joys in life, the simple breaths, and the privilege of experiencing each moment fully. A grateful heart opens the door to contentment and allows us to find happiness in the present moment, regardless of external circumstances.
Reaping the Rewards of Self-Reflection
As we gather the harvest during Lammas, we also collect the insights and wisdom gained through yoga. The practice of yoga encourages self-reflection, introspection, and self-awareness. We uncover hidden aspects of our personalities and thought patterns by delving into our inner selves. This deeper understanding empowers us to make positive changes, just as farmers prune and care for their crops to ensure a better yield.
Ancient Mythology
We find another fascinating connection to Lammas in Demeter and Persephone's ancient Greek mythological tale. Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, presides over the earth's harvest and fertility. Persephone, her daughter, represents the cycle of life, growth, and transformation. According to the myth, Persephone is abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, and taken to the realm of the dead.
Hades offers Persephone a pomegranate, and by choosing to eat the fruit, Persephone is bound to the underworld for a portion of each year. This event leads to Demeter's grief and sorrow, causing her to halt the growth of crops and plunge the world into perpetual winter.
When Persephone is allowed to return to the surface world for part of the year, Demeter's joy brings forth the abundance of the harvest, marking the beginning of spring and summer. The myth of Demeter and Persephone is intricately tied to the changing seasons and the cycle of life and death. Lammas, being a celebration of the first harvest, aligns with the joyful reunion of Demeter and Persephone, symbolizing the reaping of the rewards of their reunion and the blossoming of life as nature's bounty flourishes once more. This connection between Demeter, Persephone, and Lammas deepens our understanding of the cyclical nature of existence and the eternal dance of growth and transformation, which finds resonance in both mythology and the practice of yoga.
As Lammas heralds the first harvest, it provides a profound opportunity to connect with nature's rhythm and express gratitude for life's blessings. By integrating the principles of yoga with the spirit of Lammas, we learn to appreciate the abundance within and around us, release unnecessary burdens, and grow into the best versions of ourselves. Embrace the wisdom of this seasonal celebration and let yoga be your guiding light, leading you to a more abundant and fulfilling life, both on and off the mat. I am so looking forward to celebrating Lammas in class next week, and you can join me:
Tuesday 1st August
6pm at The Lawyer & The Nurse, Market Street, Kettering
8pm at The Pod, Spencer Street, Burton Latimer
Thursday 3rd August
11.15am Club Diana, Wellingborough
7.45pm The Breathe In Space, Kingsthorpe
Comentários