Namaste Beautiful Hearts
February is the month of Valentines and cooler temperatures ! Although we have moved beyond the winter solstice and the days are growing longer, the earth’s temperature is still dropping in the northern hemisphere.
Some of us, may be feeling the winter blues…. But, there are gifts that come with the colder temperatures. It’s often the cold that draws us inward in search of the light and opens us outward toward love, connection and embrace.
Why not take some time this month to focus on warming the inner and outer hearts. To spark the inner flame and heat up your consciousness from the inside out practice Trataka, candle gazing meditation and Bhastrika pranayama.
To warm the outer body challenge yourselves with some heat raising Yoga poses like sun salutations, balance poses and core activation. Warm your hearts by snuggling with someone you love or by practicing Karma Yoga, volunteering your services to someone in need.
The cold can feel depleting and energy draining. It takes concentrated effort to balance the icy temperatures by awakening your own inner light.
The natural inward direction of our energy is quite supportive to a mediation practice.
Use that inward contractive to serve you in your practices of the higher limbs of Yoga, Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses, Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (bliss). Take time each day to follow that natural current and sit in stillness.
Use images of fire to stoke the inner flame. Candle gazing is the perfect practice.
Create a warm environment in your home. I’m blessed to have a wood burning stove and a husband who builds a fire nightly to warm our home. If you don’t have access to a real fire, you can build your own by lighting lots of warming candles in your home.
Don’t save candles for special occasions and don’t light just one. Light candles upon rising, while you meditate, burn them while you dine, take a bath with lots of candles. Soy and beeswax candles are gentler on the environment.
Winter temps can leave us feeling cold and stiff, especially those with Vata constitution. Warm up by starting each day with cooked grains and warm fruit, drinking warm herbal tea throughout the day and sustaining yourselves with hearty soups and stews are helpful to balance that bone chilling cold.
Abhyanga a warm oil massage can work miracles to increase circulation and nourish dry hair and skin. Always wear a hat and scarf to keep warm even inside.
But the most important warming practices are those that ignite the heart.
Snuggle with someone you love, hug your pod and cozy up with your animal friends.
Community and connecting is the perfect balance to the Isolating feelings that come up in the depth of winter.
Even with the challenges of COVID this winter, we can join a Zoom community, take socially distant walks with friends or volunteer your time to help those in need.
For women looking for healing and connection, I’ve started the Sonic Sacred Healing Circle. Please join us for our next Online gathering on February 11th. Or contact me at lhanna@sonicyoga.com to join our WhatsApp Group for a daily connection.
Sending you warmth and love,
Lauren
