How Much Can a Yogi Bear? Our Top reasons to do yoga during winter

 
"Have you ever noticed a tree standing naked against the sky,
How beautiful it is?
All its branches are outlined, and in its nakedness
There is a poem, there is a song.
Every leaf is gone and it is waiting for the spring.
When the spring comes, it again fills the tree with
The music of many leaves,
Which in due season fall and are blown away.
And this is the way of life."

- Krishnamurti

As we approach the winter solstice (on the night of 21/22 June) the natural energies are at their lowest point. In the weeks leading up to and following the solstice we can serve our selves best by finding ways to keep the warmth and energy flowing through our systems. This is not the time of the year to be taking on major new projects, but it’s also not the time to become dormant.

A great way to keep your energy levels up is to do yoga, as much yoga as you can. Yoga, being a yin activity, nourishes and supports all systems of the body without wasting any of your precious reserves. It combats the stagnation that so easily sets in through the winter months and maintains and builds your immune system.

Top reasons to do yoga during winter:

1.    Resist the call of the couch. Put down the remote and get your ass into class! Yes, the couch is very seductive, but it will still be there when you come home and how much nicer it will feel when you are warm, happy and energised after class.

2.    Keep fit and stop the winter bulge. We tend to eat heavy, stodgy foods during winter to keep warm and comforted. Combined with lack of activity, it's easy to stack on a few extra kilos. Come to yoga and stop your muffin top turning into a swimming ring!

3.    Beat the Blues. Reduced sunlight makes it easy to slip into a gloomy state of mind. Make the effort to get out of the house and keep your inner light glowing. Depression can simply be energy getting stuck. Yoga moves the energy of your body and mind, and stops you getting stuck in negativity.

4.    Ward of winter chills & ills. Yoga keeps the whole body working efficiently. Our asana practice tones and regulates our organs, keeps our joints mobile and oiled. Breathing practices build up the reserves of our lungs and immune system.

5.    Circulate and keep warm. Keep your blood flowing right down to your toes and keep yourself warm. Stop the winter aches and pains from taking hold and getting the better of you. You know what they say, move it or lose it!

6.    Stay in front of the Winter Beast. Keep your momentum going and the winter beast won’t be able to catch you! It is amazing how easy it is to slip into bad habits. Stay vigilant and make it easier for yourself to maintain your yoga!

7.    Don’t tune out, tune in. The winter months support looking deeply within and getting to know the quieter, more reflective sides of your self. Take advantage of the still winter energy and go a little deeper…

You always leave yoga feeling better than you did when you arrived.

Remind yourself that if you make the effort to come to class you will be rewarded. One of the best ways to keep up good habits is to make small, achievable goals. Approach each class as a one off prospect. Don’t give in! Pause after each class & reflect on how much better you feel. Give yourself a pat on the back. Your psyche will remember this and make it easier to come next time!