Winter Solstice: Throughout Time & at Sol Luna Yoga!

Winter Solstice, December 21, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It is a turning point in seasons, where we reach the darkest point before the days begin to get longer and the journey towards light begins again.

Visualize that for a second.

Like entering a tunnel: the light is all enveloping at the entrance of the tunnel, and as you travel farther toward the center, darkness overtakes the light. After you reach the peak darkness at the center though, light begins to overtake the darkness until you reach the other side and are once more enveloped by light.
Sounds like a metaphor for life, if you ask me.

Internally and externally we similarly go through these cycles of duality, of darkness and light. Some days are chaotic and messy and disorganized and it feels overwhelming and scary and never ending. But then there’s a turning point, a change in the mundane, in mindset, in skill, and everything feels like it flows better, easier. Internally we traverse our shadows, our innermost fears, and it feels all-consuming. But as we develop and gain awareness and tolerance and grace, the metaphorical light at the end of the tunnel appears. It doesn’t feel as overwhelming anymore and light and levity appear once more. And like the solstice every year, this cycle occurs over and over within us as well. Ever changing. Ever morphing. Ever enduring.

In countless ancient cultures before us this sacred cycle was recognized and revered as well. Within the Northern Hemisphere, Winter Solstice was celebrated as the return of the Sun and a time to celebrate light and abundance from the past year. Marking the start of winter, it became a time to retire from harvest and work and spend time with family and loved ones as the colder months set in. Fires would be used in celebration as well as seasonal foods that were shared in feast. In some cultures it was considered a time to abundantly feast and celebrate before the routine and discipline of warmer months arrived.

Like a final hurrah to stock up before a human version of hibernation.

In astrology, Winter Solstice falls on the Sagittarius-Capricorn axis and is considered the start of astronomical winter with the pole tilted farthest away from the Earth. Curiously, Sagittarius is a Fire sign, sometimes considered mischievous and a social butterfly. While Capricorn is considered more rigid and structured, being an Earth sign. It makes sense that the Winter Solstice is the transition from Sagittarius to Capricorn.

A tradition in Yoga is incorporating 108 Sun Salutations on the morning of the Winter Solstice as well as focusing on hip and thigh openers within your practice.

Why 108?

So many reasons!

1.) The number 108 coincides with the connection of the Sun, Moon, and Earth. The average distance of the sun and moon to earth is 108 times their diameters, respectively.

2.) There are 117 Marmas in the human body but we can only activate 108. Marmas are points on the body where energy flow can be trapped or stimulated. Energy (nerve impulses, biochemical reactions etc.) flows through these marmas and creates a pattern of energy flow through the body. Numerous energy patterns intersect at areas called chakras which coincide with nerve plexuses. We practice 108 Surya Namaskars to ensure that we activate all of these marmas and energize the entire body.

3.) 108 is the number of “Upanishads” in Indian philosophy.

4.) 108 is double 54, which is the number of letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. However, two sets of the Sanskrit alphabet are always presented: one set of masculine (Shiva) and one set of feminine (Shakti) letters… which equals 108.

5.) There are 108 beads on Indian and Tibetan mala beads and also on a Catholic rosary.

6.) 108 is largely significant within various cultures and belief systems. Additionally, Sun Salutations are commonly used as a means to build heat within the body in a yoga practice and symbolize discipline and structure, which is revered in Yoga as well.

Kind of sounds like the dynamic of Sagittarius and Capricorn: fire meets Earth.
While there are many ways Winter Solstice has been celebrated over the centuries, you can pick and choose how you want to celebrate.

Here are some ideas to create your own Winter Solstice Practice:

Fire
Lighting candles around the house or having a bonfire on the Winter Solstice can be a great way to incorporate the fire element. If you want to embody that fire element more, high intensity yoga or a workout that really breaks a sweat can also be a great way!

A Warm-Hot Bath
Water is always cleansing. Immersing yourself into a warm body of water always seems to soothe. Try a hot bath or a hot spring on Winter Solstice to heat your body while also reflecting, soothing, and nurturing yourself.

Gratitude Practice
A gratitude practice can help you remember and acknowledge the past year: its highs and lows, lessons and learning opportunities for growth. And it can help you articulate what you hope to accomplish or implement for the year to come.

Clean Out Your Living Space
As a way to acknowledge the transition from one year to another, sometimes it helps to clear out the old before bringing in the new - literally and energetically. Take some time to wipe the slate clean and begin the year with a fresh and organized living space.

Spend Time with Loved Ones
Like cultures before us, Winter Solstice can always be celebrated by spending time with loved ones. Even within our current society, this time often marks a period of rest from work and a time of vacation and rest. Indulge in that!

How Sol Luna Yoga Celebrates Winter Solstice

In celebrating Winter Solstice, Sol Luna Yoga will have a special Winter Solstice class on Wednesday, December 21, at 9 AM. Rather than our usual Spark class, this class will include breathwork and a guided visualization, a gentle warm-up, a teaching of various Sun Salutations, and the repetitive sequence of the Sun Salutations of your choice. Class with close with gentle hip opening poses, cool-down, and sound bath savasana. You’ll leave this class feeling centered and energized, embodying the essence of Winter Solstice.