Happy Winter Solstice!
It's the shortest day of the year.
I was just having a conversation with Vicki, Chris' aunt, in which she talked about enjoying the dark. I know that in the summer and fall, I feel compelled to use every spare moment of sunlight to the fullest, being outside for most of it. Frankly, by the time winter and shorter days roll around, I'm almost relieved. My body is strongly telling me to cocoon, to slow down, and to eat lots of buttery objects. Last winter, Chris hosted a winter solstice celebration where we all talked about what we loved about winter and the dark. The list is long: more excuses to drink tea and knit, the closeness of holidays celebrations, the way the snow looks lit up by the moon, extra sleep, fireplaces, and, oft repeated, the sense of life slowing down. The moment to moment becoming fuller and more lived. On this solstice, be glad for the darkness, light some candles, and nestle down into your microcosm.
Happy Winter Solstice!
For this practice, slow down. Listen to your body; it is always telling you something. Listen to when it wants to practice, how deeply it wants to go into poses, how it wants to breathe. If it's saying something different than what you're doing, listen to that, too. Let the movement and breath develop organically. As carefully and slowly as the light will return to the world.
- Garbasana (Child's Pose)
- Rock onto your forearms and back into Child's. Continue rocking
- Vajrasana (Diamond Pose)
- Dirgha Pranayama (Three-part breath)
- Drop sitting bones to one side twist with arm around back for Bharadvajasana (Bharadvaja's Twist Pose)
- Gently twist to other direction for counter-stretch
- Stretch one arm above head and over for side stretch
- Stretch other arm above head and over
- Repeat steps 5-8 switching knees to other side
- Come into squatting position (Malasana). Use a block under heels if they don't touch ground. Bring hands in prayer position in front of the heart. Use elbows to open knees.
- Malasana (full expression).
- Pasasana (Noose Pose). Repeat other side.
- Janu Sirsasana (Head to Knee Pose)
- Marichyasana (Marichi's Twist Pose) with one leg extended
- Krounchasana (Heron Pose) with one leg extended
- Dandasana (Staff Pose)
- Parivrtta Paschimottanasana (Revolved Seated Forward Fold Pose)
- Repeat steps 13-17 other side
- Gomukhasana (Face of Light Pose)
- Fold forward, forehead towards knees, in Gomukhasana
- Ardha Virasana (Half Hero Pose)
- Supta Ardha Virasana (Reclined Half Hero Pose)
- Bring knee that isn't bent for Hero in towards the chest, if comfortable
- Sasangasana (Rabbit Pose)
- Repeat steps 19-24 other side
- Setu Bandhasana (Bride Pose). Slowly come to full extension by lifting and lowering hips with breath.
- Curl into a ball on your back. Gently roll back and forth on along the spine (feet crossed at the ankles)
- Supta Matsyendrasana (Reclined Twist). Repeat other side
- Savasana (Corpse Pose)