This year the Summer Solstice falls on Saturday, June 20, 2020, which is the longest day of the year introducing the first day of summer. Summer Solstice is the celebration of light and sunshine, which ultimately triumphs and overshadows throughout the season. At the solstice, the angle between the Earth’s equator and the Sun’s rays appear to stand still. The term “solstice” originates from the Latin word sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still).
Spend as much time as you can outside soaking in the sun’s warmth and allow this to empower you. Yoga outdoors in the glow of the sun can be invigorating. Practice your sun salutations as you watch the sunrise on the day of the solstice and feel as though symbolically this is a new beginning for you.
Sun Salutation can be practiced in 12 easy steps:
1. Begin standing tall with your hands together at heart center
2. Inhale and rise up reaching your arms high
3. Exhale – forward fold
4. Inhale – halfway lift
5. Exhale chaturanga (or simply step back to high plank to low push up)
6. Inhale upward facing dog – look up and back
7. Exhale – curl your toes under and push back to downward facing dog
8. Inhale and Exhale a few times
9. Step to the top of your mat
10. Inhale to halfway lift
11. Exhale – forward fold
12. Inhale Rise Up and repeat as desired.
Feel the sun fill you with strength, power and light through each inhale as you flow through your favorite yoga poses. Concentrate as you close your eyes to visualize the sun in your mind while you move with the energy from the sun.
A little fun fact is that your noontime shadow around the time of the solstice will be your shortest noontime shadow of the year! ~ Be filled with light and be touched by peace!
