Winter Solstice is the perfect  time to set new intentions and get some wonderful healthy self care rituals going. Life gets busy over the holidays and we usually make less time for ourselves. Leaving us run down and sick when the festivities begin.

To help you with your home yoga practice, I am running a 30 Day Winter Solstice Yoga Self Care Ritual Challenge where you can do a daily “clock in” to let us know that you have done your yoga. Make sure I have your phone number to add you to the what’s app group.

Y means yoga done.

M for meditation done.

R for ritual.

P means positive affirmation and

H is healthy drink

This is a chance for us to gather together and check in each day Monday to Saturday so I can help you feel motivated, positive, healthy and revitalised. Sometimes the ritual and the daily asks  will overlap as you may perform your ritual while doing yoga or meditating etc.

In the tradition of Kundalini Yoga solstices are celebrated as energetic portals that can be accessed for spiritual transformation. 

Winter Solstice is the equivalent of the solar New Year. It is a fertile time to set new habits and intentions. The longest night of the year has been celebrated by many traditions as a sacred and rich time. In the past, it’s been a night to gather around the fire, practice spiritual ceremonies to call back the Sun.

Here are some more self care ritual ideas.

1. Morning Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar): Start your day with a series of gentle sun salutations to awaken your body, stretch your muscles, and connect with the energy of the sun.
2. Mindful Breathing (Pranayama): Take a few minutes to practice deep, conscious breathing exercises. Focus on inhaling positive energy and exhaling any tension or stress.
3. Gratitude Journaling: Begin or end your day by jotting down a few things you’re grateful for. This practice promotes a positive mindset and shifts your focus towards the positive aspects of your life.
4. Nature Walk or Grounding: Spend time in nature, whether it’s a short walk in the park or simply standing barefoot on the grass. Connect with the earth to ground yourself and feel more centered.
5. Warm Herbal Tea Ritual: Prepare a calming herbal tea like chamomile or lavender. Sit quietly, savor each sip, and appreciate the soothing warmth.
6. Digital Detox Hour: Set aside an hour each day to disconnect from electronic devices. Use this time for reading, meditating, or simply being present with your thoughts.
7. Gentle Yoga Stretch Breaks: Incorporate short yoga stretches throughout your day, especially if you have a desk job. Stretching helps release tension and improves circulation.
8. Mindful Eating: Eat your meals with full attention, savoring each bite. Consider the flavors, textures, and nourishment provided by the food.
9. Evening Meditation: Before bedtime, engage in a short meditation. Focus on your breath, release the day’s stress, and create a calm mental space for a restful night’s sleep.
10. Self-Massage with Essential Oils: Treat yourself to a self-massage using natural oils like coconut or almond oil. Pay attention to your body, massaging away tension, and promoting relaxation.
11. Yoga Nidra (Guided Relaxation): Explore the practice of Yoga Nidra, a guided relaxation technique that helps calm the mind and body. Many guided sessions are available online.
12. Affirmations and Mantras: Choose positive affirmations or mantras that resonate with you. Repeat them during moments of stress or uncertainty to cultivate a positive mindset.
13. Laughter Yoga: Engage in laughter yoga exercises, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Laughter is a powerful tool for reducing stress and increasing overall well-being.
14. Creative Expression: Allow yourself time for creative expression, whether it’s through art, writing, or any other form. It’s a therapeutic way to connect with your inner self.
15. Candlelight Relaxation: Create a calming atmosphere with soft lighting. Spend a few moments in quiet reflection or meditation by candlelight.

Also to celebrate the day!!!!!!!

Winter Solstice Ritual Kundalini Yoga & Meditation Online Workshop 5-7am

The earths magnetic field or aura is strongest during the Solstices. The hours before dawn is the most powerful time of the day for yoga and meditation. We will be taping into this energy to create stronger energy fields and to expand our inner selves.

Yogi Bhajan says, “in the West we feel that if we build our outside and expand ourselves materially, we will be strong and have balanced lives. But this is wrong. There is an inner law that for every expansion, there is a corresponding. You must work first to develop the spiritual power inside. Then the power of the outside world will become smaller and you shall be in command.”

This holistic yoga and meditation experience will deeply nourish our spiritual side so we are more in command of our outside world and can attract powerfully what we need in our lives.

For the online workshop all you will need is a warm blanket, a yoga mat, meditation cushion if you have one.

Please bring sage and palo santo if you have them to waft around your body to cleanse your energy and help you set your intentions for the morning practice.

Create a nice space in your home, somewhere peaceful and quiet. Crystals and flowers can make it more special. Candles to light your way.

A warm drink such as herbal tea.

A cold shower beforehand is the traditional Kundalini Yoga way but optional.

TUNING IN MANTRAS & MEANINGS

ONG NAMO GURU DEV NAMO

This is a meditation, a state of consciousness. We always start the class with this mantra. It is called the “Adi Mantra” which means first mantra. I bow to the subtle divine wisdom, the divine teacher within. An ancient yogic mantra which allows thew chanter to relate instantly to the divine teacher within. Adi means primal or first and mantra means creative mental projection using sound. To centre us in the higher self and to spiritually guide both the teacher and the students during the class.

AD GURAY NAMEH
(Mangala Charan Mantra)
Aad guray name, jugged guray name
Sat guray name, siree guru dayv-ay nameh

I bow to the primal wisdom
I bow to the wisdom true through the ages
I bow to the true wisdom. I bow to the great unseen wisdom

You are guided from the primal core and beginning through every moment of experience and activity, guided in your Hearst deepest truth and being by the unseen Infinity of your highest self. This is a mantra which clears the clouds of doubt and opens us to guidance and protection. It surrounds the magnetic field with protective light.

JAPJI

It is customary to start by reading the JapJi here is the link if you would like to follow the words or print them off. There are a lot of pages so if you would rather you can just listen and meditate as well. But if you can read along that would be great!

https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Learn_all_of_Japji_Sahib

After the Jaji we will do some yoga, the set I have picked is excellent for expanding your energy (similar to reiki).

Relaxation.

Then come up to sitting for some meditation, again you are welcome to listen or join in. Here are the words….

THE ADI SHAKTI MANTRA

 EK ONG KAR SAT NAAM SIRI WHA HAY GUROO (7mins)

One Creator created this creation. Truth is his Name, Great beyond description is His Infinite Wisdom.

The cornerstone of morning Sadhana also called the Long Ek One Kars or Morning Call. This mantra initiates kundalini, initiating the relationship between our soul and the Universal Soul.

THE MUL MANTRA. 

The Mul (Root) Mantra gives an experience of the depth and consciousness of your soul. There are 108 elements in the universe and 108 letters in the mud mantra. This mantra expands creativity and projects us into action in the line with the creator and our destiny. The goal of life is to stay in perfect flow and contact with the perception of the soul at each moment. Imbalance comes when we forget the reality of God and Guru in our soul. This mantra orients like a compass towards God. It forms the basis of the consciousness of our very soul.

Emphasize the “ch” sound at the end of the word such. This add power.

Ek Ong Kaar.                                 One Creator. Creation

Sat Naam                                       Truth Identified

Kartaa Purkh                                   Doer of Everything

Nirbho                                             Fearless

Nirvair                                             Revengeless

Aka Moorat                                     Undying

Ajoonee                                           Unborn

Saibung                                            Self Illumined self existent

Gur Prasaad                                     Gurus grace 

Jap!                                                  Repeat

Aad Such                                          True in the beginning

Jugaad Such                                     True through all time

Hai Chee Such                                   True even now

Nanak Hosee Bhee Such                    Nanak says Truth shall ever be

3. GURU RAM DAS CHANT 

    Guroo Guroo Wha-hay Guroo Guroo Ram Das Guroo

This in phase of the consciousness of Guru Ram Das, invoking his spiritual light, guidance, and protective grace. We are filled with humility

Finish with….

THE LONG TIME SUNSHINE

May the long time sun shine upon you

All love surround you

And the pure light within you guide your way on, guide your way on

May the long time sun shine upon you

All love surround you

And the pure light within you guide your way on, guide your way on

May the long time sun shine upon you

All love surround you

And the pure light within you guide your way on, guide your way on, guide your way on.

Sat Naam

Cost £25

Sign up here….

https://schedulejennifergreenleesholistics.as.me/wintersolsticeritual

It’s free for my online yoga students if they have managed to keep up with their Winter Solstice Daily Yoga and Ritual Practice!!!!