Winter is our Wonderland

Winter time is here. A time for heart-warming soups, hand-warming drinks, warm jumpers and blankets to bring a sense of comfort as well as protection from the cool weather. It's also a time where we nestle-in and feel unapologetic for sleeping and resting longer; where we come deeper into the essence of Yin and the progressive darkness which provides the utmost nurturing of all essence.

So how do we get anything done at this time? Life simply does not stop for us mere humans as the weather cools. However, it does bring awareness to the busyness of life, and where more balance can be found to incorporate this restful and nurturing Yin essence. And it all starts at home, the home itself, as well as the home within.

With our Winter Solstice arriving Saturday 21st June 2025, right now is the perfect time for working with the psyche, practicing meditation, Yin yoga, and other restful yet also gently warming inner-practices. As we welcome the birth of light at our Winter Solstice, where the Sun not only appears to stand still but is also viewed at its furthermost point from the Earth, we cherish the moment of longest night, being in the womb of Earth's embrace, and begin the journey of rotation back to cherish the Sun, towards the essence of Yang, day by day until we arrive at our Summer Solstice in December.

To welcome your inner Sun and motivation for the morning, in the tradition of Kundalini Yoga, this yogic routine is a staple practice for getting out of bed, and is also perfect for Winter time:

1. Place your hands on your closed eyes, slowly move your hands away and open your eyes to begin a connection with your hands, face and body. You may even gently massage your face.

2. Stretch a nice big stretch, with arms up and toes pointed, then cat stretch with arms out to the sides, bending one knee and bringing it across the straight leg into a gentle twist of the mid-section, softly flexing the body. Then repeat on the other side.

3. As an optional extra, practice 1 minute of stretch pose, then briefly rest hugging the knees into the chest with long deep breathing.

4. Rub hands together and soles of the feet together. Roll to your right side, then slowly get out of bed.

To do stretch pose: lift legs and head approximately 6 inches off the ground (bed), with feet together, look at the toes. Activate core. Arms are at the side of the body and off the ground (bed), palms face the sides of the legs. Begin breath of fire (or long deep breathing if you are new to this breath). To end, inhale, hold pose, exhale and relax. For medical conditions please seek approval to practice, and also please stick to long deep breathing if you are on the heaviest days of your period or pregnant.

For those excited to come a little deeper in embodying yogic practices for Winter, join the 10 Day Kundalini Yoga Winter Challenge via https://www.thesunshinechannel.com.au/programs.

Solstice blessings to all, Nicole x

Nicole Edwards is a Coach, Mentor, and Trauma Informed Yoga, Meditation, and Sound Teacher from Australia. Contact TheSunshineChannel@outlook.com to connect or book a 1:1 session, class, program, or workshop, at https://thesunshinechannel.com.au today.