108 Sun Salutations Winter Solstice

A lot of people ask why we do 108 sun salutations for the solstice and what’s the significance of the number 108. You can follow those links and find out! In a nutshell though, 108 is mathematically, astrologically, and spiritually a significant number for many, many reasons. When it comes to measurements, alphabets, chakras/nadis, beads, science, language, etc… there are a lot of reasons (and, at times, a lot of math involved too). The change of the seasons is traditionally celebrated by doing 108 sun salutations. We salute the sun for doing its thing and bringing us each of these lovely seasons throughout the year. We celebrate the spring and fall equinox… equal parts day and night, and the summer and winter solstice…longest and shortest time of sunlight. These have been celebrated for thousands of years.

At Happy Hour we often schedule 108 Sun Salutations for the change of the seasons. Doing 108 sun salutations isn’t easy! And it’s totally okay if you can’t do all 108. As always, you need to honor your body and not push it too far. What kind of a celebration would it be if you walked away with an injury? It wouldn’t be. So if you come to the class, do what you can, and celebrate the fact that you’re healthy and you gave it a try!

We’ll be celebrating the Winter Solstice on Saturday, December 21st, at 3:30 pm. You’ll push yourself, and work up a sweat, detox and challenge your physical body! But you’ll also slow down and clear your mind. It’s a moving meditation, and after a few rounds, you should start to feel a flow, and sort of “get lost” in the rhythm. We are celebrating the shortest day of the year….the day with the most darkness! Some would say “why would we celebrate that?” Well, because… here comes the sun! Our days will get longer and longer starting on December 22nd. The Winter Solstice symbolizes death and rebirth. The Fall Equanox shows us that it’s ok to let things go, and Winter Solstice shows us that is ok to rest and reboot. It’s not only ok, but its wonderful to stop and find silence and reconfigure, plan change, recharge, and be still. Come and celebrate that with us!

On Saturday we will celebrate with six rounds of 18 sun salutations. That’s five breaks… that sounds a little better doesn’t it? I’ll count for you, you don’t need to worry about that. I’m also going to give you a mantra to repeat to yourself with each round of 18; just some words to give you focus and inspiration. These mantras are designed to bring you more peace and a new perspective. They will help you to continue to drop what you dropped in the Fall, and refocus on the future with a more positive and accepting attitude. Let go of the past, let go of regret and shame, be grateful for the lessons and changes in your life, and to move forward with a positive and open mind. That’s the plan. I really hope you can join me. It’s a lovely thing to do for yourself and alongside others.

Hope to see you there…Nancy