You feel this time of year deep in your bones, a strong pulling inwards.
The daily sadhana practice for this first cycle of the year incorporates seasonal elements to help you truly experience and embody a deeper connection with yourself and to that which connects you with all.
This is the first sadhana cycle this year. Every 6 weeks (42 days), I’ll share 22-minute sadhana practices that support seasonal integration and wellness on Sadhana Sunday. Each sadhana incorporates guided breathwork, breath-led movement, relaxation, and space to set the tone for your day.
I encourage you to make the time to start your day with this practice and see what shifts in your life.
Sadhana for Deep Winter
The themes to guide you this time of the year:
Turn Inward
With the inward pull of winter comes a natural connection with your third eye, ajna chakra. This energy center is the center of your connection to the subconscious and superconscious: both the gateway to your inner world and to your connection with the Divine. Deep winter is a time for inner focus, reflection and connecting with your intuition and inner wisdom.
Try this By Candlelight meditation to connect with your third eye chakra.
Flow Like Water
Deep winter is associated with the water element in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The most yin element, water invites you to rest, conserve your energy, hydrate and nourish yourself, and drop inward to deep reflection.
This is a time to embrace stillness, so you can connect to the wisdom and intuition within. Just like water, know that you are adaptable and able to overcome any obstacles that arise.
Our sadhana includes Qi Gong practices for the water element to mobilize the spine and circulate fresh energy (qi). Also check out this relaxing guided meditation that aligns with the water element.
Nourish Yourself
We’re transitioning into late winter, a time of cold, dryness, and wind. In Ayurvedic medicine, this season is called Shishira Ritu when the kapha dosha naturally accumulates, encouraging sluggishness and congestion, and the vata dosha is aggravated, leading to dryness and stiffness.
To balance your energies and build warmth, I include gentle sun salutations in your daily sadhana in this winter cycle.
This is also a time when your digestive fire burns strong, encouraging you to eat rich, warm, and nourishing foods. Swap salads and raw foods for hot soups, drink hot teas, and include immune-boosting spices like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric. This is the season of rest and regular sleep.
Try this meditation with kapalbhati (skull-shining breath) to cleanse the sinuses, improve digestion, and bring mental clarity.
Return to Light
The ancient holiday of Imbolc is celebrated midway between the darkest day of the year on winter solstice and the spring equinox, typically February 1 or 2. This time in the Wheel of the Year symbolizes purification, the slow and steady increase of daylight, and rebirth with the first signs of coming spring.
This is the time to get rid of what you no longer need (both externally and internally) and reconnect with your inner light. Consider including a symbolic reminder of the season by lighting a candle during your sadhana and meditations.
Check out this meditation with breath of fire by candle flame to celebrate the spirit of the coming spring.
Heart Over Head
As we move towards the heartfelt month of February, we’re invited to become in touch with our soul body – the first of our ten bodies in Kundalini yoga. The soul is your inner light and connection with Spirit that lives in your heart. Your soul body reminds you to listen to the wisdom of your heart over mind and intellect alone.
Connect with your heart center with the guided meditation dropping February 2.
Connect with Agape
Your heart center, anahata chakra, is the core of your compassion, connection, and love. Unlike the romantic love we typically think of around Valentine’s Day, the love of your heart is best described by “agape” – an unconditional, selfless, and deep love that never waivers. Love is not a feeling or emotion, but a conviction on how to live life, guided by your heart.
Try the meditation dropping Feburary 9 to open and experience your heart chakra.
Experience Sadhana
I hope you enjoy the sadhana practice of this first cycle of the year and make it your own. I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments.
P.S. I also create short meditations that focus on a specific theme related to a seasonal quality. Check it out and either use the meditation on its own or pair after your sadhana each day. For deeper work, check out my hypnotherapy offerings.
Image credits all from Unsplash, in order: Sixteen Miles Out, Faris Mohammed, Haley Parson, Sabina Sturzu, George Hiles, and Olya Mn. Thank you all.
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