“We are approaching the threshold of winter.
Life is being drawn into the earth, painlessly descending down into the very heart of herself.
And we as natural human animals are being called to do the same, the pull to descend into our bodies, into sleep, darkness and the depths of our own inner caves continually tugging at our marrow.”
–Brigit Anna McNeill
There is often an intuitive pull to turn inward at this time of the year. Honoring the natural cycles of light and darkness is innate in most of us. The Winter Solstice was celebrated by many ancient cultures as the rebirth of light. For while the light grows shorter now, it will return. Within this cycle, now is the opportunity to work with some of the heavier aspects of our inner worlds. Acknowledge and honor the sadness, or the heartache, the anger, or resentments. To do this write about them in a journal, or place them on slips of paper to burn in your Yule fire. To bring more light into the darkness, light candles, build fires, put up twinkling lights, take a walk in the sunshine, eat a flavorful, warm meal with loved ones. Spend time in contemplation. What is the spark inside you that lights your fire? How can you grow that light, and share it with others?
See you on the mat!
For my December teaching schedule, there are some additions, some cancellations, and some subs! Please see here: https://physiquebyfountain.com/yoga/
December Meditation: Inner Drishti (gaze)
Find a comfortable, supported seated position and close your eyes. Take three easy, full breaths, releasing tension held in the body on the exhale. Allow the breath to fall into its own natural rhythm. As you continue to breath softly and comfortably, bring your awareness to the shape of your body sitting–noting heaviness, softness, the breath filling all the space within–for three minutes.
Then, gently bring your awareness to your heart, center of your chest–noting sensations such as warmth, expansion/contraction, perhaps even feeling your heartbeat, whatever comes up for you–for three minutes.
Next, gently move your awareness to your third-eye center, middle of the forehead, between the eyebrows–breathing as though through this spot, noting sensations, perhaps the sense of air moving inward to the center of your skull on the inhale, and back out on the exhale–for three minutes.
Next, gently move your awareness to the roof of the skull–again noticing any sensations you may become aware of, using the rhythm of your breath as an anchor–for three minutes.
Finally, simply rest in an open field of awareness, noting all passing phenomenon from the movement of breath, to the flicker of thoughts or images, and sounds reaching your ears. All is allowed, all passes through, nothing lingers, as you remain still and at ease. Rest here for as long as you like. It can be useful to use an app such as “Insight Timer” that allows you set interval chimes.
Enjoy!
Claudia Fountain Fitness + Yoga 