🌞 Celebrate International Yoga Day and the Summer Solstice with a Dance for the Sun!
It has been said, “Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the oneness within yourself, the world, and nature.”
International Yoga Day is a global celebration of the profound significance of yoga, held annually on June 21, which also marks the summer solstice. This special day honors the sun's light and warmth and celebrates Earth's incredible journey around the sun. It's a magical time to dive deep within and discover your own inner light!
One exciting tradition is to practice 108 Sun Salutations. Why 108? Well, it’s a sacred number in the yogic tradition, symbolizing the universe's wholeness. But let’s be real—that’s a lot of sun salutations! 😅
For a more practical approach, how about trying 12 Sun Salutations? This number aligns perfectly with the 12 poses in the sequence, the 12 months of the year, and the 12 zodiac signs. And if you're practicing with kids, start with just 1 and go with the flow! Maybe aim for 3, symbolizing body, mind, and spirit.
The Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) is like a ‘mandala’ or circle of poses. ‘Surya’ means ‘sun’ and ‘namaskar’ means ‘bow to.’ The series starts and ends with hands together at the heart, using the breath as your guide, flowing smoothly from one pose to the next. The inhale nurtures, and the exhale releases what no longer serves us. Just like the sun, Sun Salutations are both energizing and relaxing, giving us exactly what we need.
Benefits of Sun Salutations:
- Improve focus and attention
- Increase flexibility and strength
- Enhance balance and coordination
- Calm and regulate emotions
Surya Namaskar can be a daily practice, reminding us that there's always an inner sun shining, even on cloudy days!
So, as you celebrate International Yoga Day and the summer solstice, remember:
The light in me sees the light in you.
Xoxo, Kathe and Mel 🌸
Get Moving with the Sun Salutation Sequence! ☀️
- Mountain Pose
- Stand tall with hands at your heart.
- Upward Salute
- Inhale, reach arms up.
- Standing Forward Bend
- Exhale, fold forward.
- Low Lunge
- Inhale, step the right leg back.
- Downward Facing Dog
- Exhale, step the left leg back and lift the hips high.
- Eight Point Pose
- Inhale, and lower. Toes, knees, hands, chest, and chin touch the ground.
- Cobra Pose
- Inhale, lift head and chest.
- Downward Facing Dog
- Exhale, hips up and back.
- Low Lunge
- Inhale, step the right foot forward.
- Standing Forward Bend
- Exhale, fold forward.
- Upward Salute
- Inhale, reach up.
- Mountain Pose
- Exhale, hands to heart.
Enjoy your practice and feel the sun's warmth within!
P.S. Thought we'd share some stats from a recent promo, #1 in 3 categories, woohoo!!
