Summer Solstice

Salute the Sun & Summer Solstice Sunday

My skin is carrying a darker color than usual, and is definitely not the shade my dermatologist would recommend. But, wow oh wow has it felt good lately to be out in the sunshine. Soaking up the Vitamin D, drinking in a clarifying warmth, burning away the lethargy of the last several months and reconnecting to my own lightness within.
 
This weekend we celebrate the summer solstice. And, often we practice Surya Namaskars in our asana practice. Both of which honor the Sun, the light, the warmth. I was thinking this morning on my sunny, morning walk how these practices of honoring the sun came to be. Imagine being surrounded in darkness before electricity, where fire provided the needed warmth and light during winter months. And, how incredible it must have felt to have the return of the warmth, the light, the longer days, and the nourishment it brought plants and people. Crops bursting from the ground, more external connection with community, joy returning, a kind of energy I see would be revered.
 
And, here we are today, not only coming out of winter season literally, but also metaphorically. Regardless of the myriad of our personal experiences during the last 18 months, we’ve all had a time of contraction. A winter in a sense. I wonder if you feel similarly to me that there were parts of my own journey that I don’t want to lose, and other parts I’m ready to burn away. What feels stuck and stagnant that could use some melting, softening, clarifying? How do we step toward the light and keep a steady warmth on? How do we sustain a steady burn-not too hot, not too cool as we continue forward? These are the questions yoga reminds me to ask. And, questions the Solstice brings forth.
 
Here are a few ways you could honor the Solstice:
1) Start your day with Yoga. With the extra daylight, rise with the sun, drink warm lemon water to stoke your inner fire, and sit in a 5 min meditation to clarify your mind/body/spirit before stepping into your day.
2) Sun Salutations or a Nap. Rather than reaching for caffeine or a snack, consider practicing 3 Surya Namaskars – Sun Salutations - when your energy gets low during the day to boost your fire. Or, if that doesn’t feel quite right, then take need a nap. 20min. 40 min. 60 min. Don’t forget the power and potency of taking deep rest, and the way in which that can help us sustain our energy.
3) Get outside. So much in the practice of yoga suggests that simply getting into nature is what we need most of all.
4) Come see me this Sunday. We will be celebrating the summer solstice Sunday in my regular 9:30am class at CorePower Yoga La Cumbre, so you can also join us there to celebrate,

Sending you much love, clarifying warmth and light,
Kelly