Transitions: Seasons Change

In just two days, the solstice is upon us. The solstice signifies the change to a new season. On December 21 in the northern hemisphere we transition into the Winter season. On this same day, southern hemisphere, the makes its way into Summer season. The solstice signals the transitioning of the earth from Fall to Winter or Spring to Summer. In the rest of this article, I address the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere.

What Exactly is a Solstice?

If we look at the word itself, "sol" is the Latin root for the sun. It refers to your location on earth in relation to the sun. The second part of the word stice means to stand still. It is the sun that stands still while the earth moves around it.

Our planet continues to make its annual revolution around the sun. The solstice is a transitory time between the seasons. That is, specifically the changes from Fall to Winter and Spring to Summer. (The Summer to Fall and the Winter to Spring are known as equinoxes). The earth never stands still. It continues to revolve around the stationary sun. Thus, I prefer to think of this solstice time as a time for transitions.

The good news about the Winter Solstice is that is the day where the length of sunlight in each day slowly increases as our planet circles the sun. Also, good is during these darker days, provides us with the ability to go deeper inside ourselves to reflect and restore.

How Do We Recognize the Solstice in Yoga?

Most countries around the world recognize the solar Gregorian calendar where the solstices begin on December 21 and June 21, respectively. (Britannica, 2022). I have written before about June 21 as International Day of Yoga. We don't really have anything comparable in yoga on the opposite solstice. But we do have everyday yoga tools that help us to manage transitions in our lives. There are certain rituals you can perform including some inward-looking meditations, mudras and yoga sequences that keep one rooted to the earth.

So here, let's recognize the change of the seasons. Changing seasons means transitions in our lives. For some, it means staying indoors more often, going to bed and staying there for longer periods of time, because the days have less sunshine hours. Here in Florida and other subtropical climates, it generally means low humidity (yay!) and clear skies. It can also mean that we too, get out our winter gear to protect our very thin blood from the few days it is below 60 degrees!

The winter season embodies the characteristics of reflection, slowness and darkness. Thus, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga are perfect for honoring this time of year (Carroll, n.d.) These tools help to calm our minds and bodies from the craziness of shopping and preparing for family gatherings. During this transitional time, we begin to ready ourselves for rebirth and renewal. A personal renaissance, if you will.

A really nice pose for this transitionary time is child's pose. Child's pose establishes grounding and promotes your relationship to the earth -- your rootedness. It is an extremely self-nurturing pose.

Here I share some options for doing child's pose (Illustrations are found after the list).

• Option 1: Seated in a chair. Stack as many blankets, bolsters and/or pillows in your lap as you need to keep. If required for more comfort, place a pillow or bolster under the feet. Lengthen the spine, extend the arms and on an inhale bend as far forward as you comfortably can. If you have enough pillows, place your forehead on the top pillow.
• Option 2. Starting in table top (hands and knees), bring the toes together and spread the knees apart. sit back on the feet as your arms reach in front of you to help lengthen the back. (Use props, as needed)
• Option 3. From table top (on hands and knees), bring the legs together and push back into child's pose. You have the option to bring your arms next to your body (Use props, as needed).

Hold this pose for 3 to 5 minutes. Allow your mind to gather in all the nurturing warmth you are receiving from a loving earth.

Next, no matter which option you took, extend your arms and head to the right side and lengthen.

Hold for 2 to 3 minutes. Then come back to center and do the same on the left. After 3 minutes come back to center and return to a comfortable seated position. (Please remember to consult with your healthcare provider before engaging in yoga or other physical activities.)

The seasons are always in transition. This week is a great time to acknowledge the change. We can take this transitional opportunity, to transform ourselves.

Further Readings and Resources

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2022, October 6). Gregorian calendar. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gregorian-calendar

Carroll, M. (n.d.). The Yoga Writer. Yoga Poses to Honor the Winter Solstice: The Dance of Duality.