December: A Winter Pause
Have you inadvertently found yourself rushing, in body and in mind, as we head into the holiday seasons?
There’s a rush to finish projects, buy gifts, decorate the house for the holidays, to pack and prepare for travels.
While our artificial life rushes, when we step out into the natural world, even in an urban park, we feel a slowness in the pulse of our surroundings, a pause even amongst the trees and birds.
Introducing our December Theme: WINTER PAUSE
This month, our rest practices will be centered around actually creating space to pause.
Why winter pause?
The natural world, at least in the northern hemisphere, recognizes this transitional season into winter as a time to slow, to pause, to rest. Our bodies are made of the same cut and fabric as the birds and trees you see outside, and yet our minds have constructed these urgencies.
What if, this year, we take some more intentional time to honor this natural rhythm?
Perhaps you might find yourself on the other side of the holiday season less drained, less depleted, without a “holiday hangover,” and not feeling like you need a vacation from your holiday.
A winter pause can look like:
Saying no to events (it’s easier to say yes later than to retract a yes)
Layering up and going outside, instead of watching another episode of your show
Cozying up by the fireplace with hot cocoa and a (physical) book
Going to bed earlier and prioritizing sleep
Marinating in soft mornings with this playlist
Swapping out a caffeinated or alcoholic beverage for a warm cup of herbal tea
Reading a poem instead of an Instagram caption
Handwriting letters and holiday cards, sending them via slow mail
Preparing simple root vegetable stews or rice porridges to give your digestion a pause between heavy meals
Sipping on hot lemon + ginger tea between meals (a tsp or grated ginger steeped in hot water, then squeeze in some lemon to your liking, add honey if you like)
Resting in restorative yoga
Can you think of other ways to weave in pauses in your current daily life?
Inside Your Library
Settling Snowflakes Yoga Nidra
Drifting Into the Night Sky Yoga Nidra
Spine Nourisher - A guided sensory awareness practice
Sacred Pauses for the Spine Yoga Practice
The practices inside your Library this month are all focused on creating more spaces and inviting more pauses in your own yoga practice, including the transitions between poses. You’ll find that, with time, as you weave more pauses into your yoga practices, this pattern will naturally translate into your daily life and rituals as well.