Summer solstice, Ayurveda and International day of Yoga.

Summer solstice, Ayurveda and International day of Yoga.

The solstice is an auspicious time to honor the sun and allow the welcoming arms of nature to embrace you. The summer solstice is on its way, not only representing mid-way through the year, but the day that receives the most light. What better opportunity than to honor our life-giving sun with yoga, than the 21st June, especially given that it’s international yoga day too!!

Solstice is of Latin origin – ‘Sol’ meaning sun, and ‘stitium’, meaning to stop or be still. It is almost as if our planet bows down towards its life giver and it is from this perception, that celebration and thanksgiving proceed.
Symbolically the Summer Solstice represents light bursting through the shadows and darkness and residing triumphant. From ancient times to every day modernists, humans have always appreciated that all life  originates from the sun with many a ritual in place to acknowledge gratitude.

So how can you honor the sun this solstice using yoga and enjoy weaving a bit of Ayurvedic philosophy into your life?

•  Sun salutations: worshiping the sun, the universal giver of life

 

It is considered auspicious to practice Surya Namaskar at the time of summer solstice, to connect with and build upon the enlivening solar energies that are pulsating within us now. Get up at dawn, face east, and do 108 repetitions of Surya Namaskar sequence. If that seems a bit ambitious, or you’re feeling rushed (or just tuckered out), simply do 11 or one reverent bow to honor the sun.

• Ritucharya: The Rhythms of the Seasons: Revamp Your Routine

According to Ayurveda, the principles of Ritucharya advocate living one’s life according to the flow of the seasons. ‘The term comes from the Sanskrit, ritu, meaning “season,” and charya, meaning “to follow. Ayurveda’s approach to health is to acknowledge and adjust behaviors and patterns with nature and the seasons, “Ritucharya’” traditionally followed the pathways of the sun through the sky with Vedic astronomers dividing the year into two 6 months phase that reflected its course. The increasing light between winter and summer is known as uttarayana, whereas the decreasing light from summer back to winter is called dakshinayana.

Rhythmic movement in the morning and early evening is encouraged so as to prevent stagnant energy and be careful not to become dehydrated, staying cool in the hot and dry sun. Keep meals light to support the natural cooling process of the body and also spend time under the moonlight whenever you can.

• Your Yoga Practice

When Grishma (Summer) begins at the summer solstice, Ayurveda recommends moving towards more pitta pacifying practices which cool and rejuvenate. Poses that connect to the upwards flow of solar energy are ones that open up the heart, back bending but with grounding connection to earth such as Camel Pose (Ustrasana) or Wheel (Urdhva Dhanurasana).

As you practice yoga, try emphasizing on the emptiness of the exhale and allow it to be a potent pause before the fullness of the next breath. The breath represents cycles of movement, of seasons, of life. As you close your practice try several rounds of Sitali breath to cool and pacify pitta by expelling heat before relaxation. Lower energetic centres are activated, drawing energy towards the earth in preparation for grounding backbends. Combining the qualities of fire and water, dynamic movement is employed in postures that stimulate the solar plexus chakra (Manipura), the place where pitta resides.

• Be Outside

What better way to acknowledge the summer solstice than to go outside? Walking by early mornings by the Ocean or a water body, enjoying your garden, taking your yoga practice outside are all good! Just connecting to nature and observing the glory of the sunshine.

Namaste!!