Yoga Friends,
Welcome to the new year!
I resonate with the promise of fresh beginnings and potentiality. However, for the last 25 years, I have not set new year resolutions in January... I have saved them for March!
Let me tell you why.
The Winter Solstice was just two weeks ago, so here on January 1st, we have JUST stepped into winter, the season of nature's stillness and rest. I like to think of this as the gestation and dream time.
Winter isn't a time of death, but of rather of transformation occurring in the hidden realms. This was evident to me a couple of weeks ago when I planted some hyacinth bulbs for spring flowers. As I dug in the soil, I encountered a few daffodil bulbs that were busy in their winter process. They were not void of life, quite the contrary, they were a stunningly white, filled with moisture and sending out new root tendrils. They were busy gathering inner resources and slowly changing in the hidden realms. We are invited to do the same.
In Taoism, the fundamental principle for fostering physical and psychological harmony is to look to the natural rhythm as our wisdom teacher. With that in mind, winter is demonstrating the necessity to do less in order to replenish our inner reservoirs, to recharge our symbolic battery back.
Coming out of the gate running, sort to speak, in January, may cause us to dissipate our resources before they have time fill up. We may loose momentum or follow through. An important teaching in traditional medicine is - how you care for your energy in this season will influence your energy resources in the season six months from now.
In traditional medicine, essential vitality is said to reside in the Kidneys. Kidneys work with the Urinary Bladder to govern the water element and they need hydration, sleep, and unctuous oils, like the Omega oils found in nuts, fish, brussels sprouts, avocados, some beans and more. Physical rest and eating warm, moisture rich foods replenish energy reserves that can then be tapped into for creativity and clear thought. In the spring, we can harness that quick rising and expanding energy to ensure greater success in our endeavors... thus, taking action on resolutions in March!
We can challenge what we have been conditioned to think - that January is the time to diet, increase our physical activity and burn off the weight from the holiday season. I am all for shifting the food after the holidays, but do so with the seasonal support. Eat warm food like roasted vegetables, soups, stews and chili and avoid cold and raw foods (save those for summer). Keep the body well hydrated with water and hot herbal teas. Yes, move your body, but do so with a slower pace with walks and gentle yoga. Sleep a little longer at night, nap from time to time, enjoy a sauna or long soak with Epsom salt and frankincense, ginger, clove, or peppermint.
Consider allowing January and February be the time to turn attention back to yourself in a meaningful and kind way. Reflect and dream and then use the growth and expansion energy of spring to move more, sweat, and put those plans into action.
Winter allows us to turn attention back to our selves in meaningful ways. That can be taking the time to remember, honor, grieve, rejoice, and shake your head at the wonder of it all. It can be a time to reflect on bends in the road behind you and prepare intentionally for what lies ahead - known and unknown.
We will keep talking about the physical and psychological associations with Winter, the Kidneys/Urinary Bladder, and the Archetype of the Wise One in the coming weeks in all the yoga classes I lead (especially the Yin Yoga classes). For now, let me leave you with these words from the IChing that describes well this call to doing by not doing (wu wei) in winter:
"The winter season has always been celebrated as the resting time of the year - as custom that survives in the time of rest observed at the new year. In winter, the life energy, symbolized by thunder, is arousing in the underground. Movement is just at its beginning, therefore it must be strengthened by rest so that it will not be dissipated by being used prematurely. This principle of allowing energy that is renewing itself to be reinforced by rest, applies to all similar situations like the return of health after illness or the return of understanding after an estrangement. Everything must be treated tenderly and with care at the beginning, so that the return may lead to a flowering."
To support your easeful approach to your body and inner reservoirs, you may enjoy this Joint Care class that offers a bit of gentle yoga and Yin Yoga. A small token from me to you as you find ease in this new year.
Joint Care: Gentle and Yin Yoga Practice
Warmest regards and much love,
Machelle