The shimmering lights of the holiday season are a mere reminder that even in the darkness (yin) there is always some light (yang) to guide you on your way. Let the long wintery nights ahead remind you that it is in the void of the darkness where potential unfolds, life begins, healing takes place and where dreams come to life. It is in the yin wisdom of the waters where we begin to understand who we are with a deeper sense of clarity and purpose. To develop a deeper sense of who were are, we must be willing to plunge into the darkness of the unknown and patiently wait for the potential of a new way of being to come to life. For some, swimming in this uncharted water is a scary thing but we must develop a trust in life and surrender to its tow. low back), lose our initiative and spark for life, become forgetful, more fearful, develop depression, sexual and sleep disturbances, gravitate toward addictive patterns, and/or we freeze and develop -cold feet- whereby we are unable to move forward and take on life.Ĭultivating the spirit of Water we need to learn to let go of the struggle and practice yielding to the natural flow of life. We may begin to experience stiffness, tightness and joint pain (esp. When we push ourselves beyond our own limits to the point of total exhaustion by overworking, over committing, over analyzing, consuming too many chemical stimulants- we begin to deplete our essence (vitality) and disturb the Kidneys and Water element. It is our bones and joints that are nourished and lubricated by the Water element. The power of water gives us the flexibility and fluidity for movement. Water is a shape shifter and is able to adapt to the hardness of what lies in its path by yielding. It our will, courage and instincts that help determine our life’s purpose.
Just as the buried seed which contains the potential for life in the winter, sprouts spontaneously from the darkness in springtime, forges and pushes ahead against all obstacles in its path upward toward the sky where it becomes what it is meant to be, it is this will for life that has brought us all here to this very moment. The Water element is about our courage and will. Their virtue is wisdom and the emotion associated is fear. They imbue us with the desire to grow, flourish and age gracefully. They store our essence (called Jing in TCM) which our parents gifted us at the moment of conception and contain the seat of our vitality. The Kidneys are a very important organ because they are the root of both the yin and yang energies of the body. Winter is associated with the Kidneys (and Urinary Bladder) and with the Water element, according to Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Like the trees that have shed their leaves and stand bare against the horizon, it is in this deep, dark mysterious place where we let go of the things that need to die, in order to hold and contain the potential for new life to surge forward in the spring.
In this abounding darkness, the ultimate yin, we travel into the world of the water element. We begin to dive deeper into the abyss of the cold and wintery months ahead as the winter solstice approaches. ***Please note, if you’re booking 2 or more places you have to set up multiple MindBody accounts when purchasing.This month we leave the Metal element of Fall behind and continue our journey forward. This 1 hour 45mins workshop costs €22 (10% discount for members) There will be chai tea after to warm you up even more
This workshop is suitable for all levels and abilities During this cosy practice, you will be guided through a gentle Restorative Yoga sequence, with the use of aromatherapy oils, followed by a dreamy Yoga Nidra meditation to reset and restore your whole being. This restful practice is an offering of healing for body, mind & spirit in this busy time. By setting intentions at the Winter Solstice, we are building a path that lights the way through the darkness of winter and guides us toward our brightest future.Īs this transition space between Autumn & Winter can be tough, this often leads to both physical and mental exhaustion. On the shortest day of the year as we begin the return to light, in this practice together we will rest, relax, and restore, as we turn inwards to honour and nurture the light within. Winter Solstice Restorative Yoga with Mary Williams Posted in Yoga & Meditation by Lisa Wilkinson on 13th November 2019