Summer Solstice Yoga

Summer Solstice
Festival of Achievement
20-23 June in the Northern Hemisphere
20-23 December in the Southern Hemisphere

From perfect discipline of the Sun, one has knowledge of the worlds.
Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3:36

"A considerable proportion of Indian mystical physiology is based upon the identification of “suns” and “moons” in the human body.”
Mircea Elliade, "Yoga: Immortality and Freedom"

The Sun bows Down to Moon at the Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice is a doorway into the second half of the year. It is a fiery, fertile, exuberant, passionate time, when the earth’s loveliness just seems to go on and on. Energy wise the Summer Solstice is like the full moon; it is pregnant with possibility.

At the Solstice the sun appears to stand still before it changes direction. We too stand still, pause, and take time to reflect. We have reached the top of a mountain and stop now to take in the view. We look back over the journey we have taken since the Winter Solstice and look ahead to the path that lead us into the darker half of the year.

It is natural to want summer to go on forever, and, many of us feel pangs of regret that it won’t. And although summer isn’t over yet, there are still warm, sunny days ahead; yet at the same time the year has turned, and gradually the days will shorten, and the nights get longer. At the Winter Solstice in December we wholeheartedly celebrate the return of the Sun and the rebirth of the light; however, at the Summer Solstice, we may feel more ambivalent about welcoming back the waxing cycle of the darkness. We balance this by remembering that the dark half of the year gives us the opportunity, to take stock, to plan, and to gestate
ideas; ready to be delivered out into the world during next spring and summer’s growing season.

Radiate!

The sun is a star at the centre of the solar system, All the planets revolve around it. At the Summer Solstice the sun is reaching the height of its powers, before the energy shifts and the days begin to gradually shorten again.

When you are practising expansive poses such as Trikonasana, Ardha Chandrasana, or Virabhadrasana fire up your poses by imagining a radiant sun at your centre. Re-charge and energise your system by picturing this sun brighten and expand as you inhale. As you exhale imagine warm rays of sunlight radiating throughout your body. Also, as you practice Surya Namaskar, Salute to the Sun, keep in your mind's eye an image of the sun. Feel that warm glow!

Is The Sun a God or a Goddess

According to Tantric scriptures, the sun was nothing more than a garment of light for the Great Goddess. The popular European tradition usually made the sun male and the moon female, chiefly to assert that "his" light was stronger, and that "she" shone only by reflected glory, symbol of the position of women in patriarchal society. However, Oriental and pre-Christian systems frequently made the sun a goddess.

The Solar System as Mandala

In astrology the Sun symbol is a dot within a circle. The astrologer Margaret Hone says, "Its symbol is that of eternity, and of the power of spirit, of primal motion from whence all else issued and was created". The sun sign may have shown the sun at high noon on high in the middle of heavens dome. According to the oldest symbolism, the circle enclosing a dot represented the primal womb, containing the spark of creation. Like the bindu within the Yoni Yantra of Hindu tradition.
At the time of the Summer Solstice use the sun symbol as a bhavana, or focus, during an entire yoga practice. Throughout the practice keep bringing an image of the sun symbol into your mind's eye. Observe what effect this has on your practice.

The Alchemy of Fire

"I celebrate the living energy of Fire to generate energy, expansion and growth. It is the active power of response and release. Fire gets things moving and is a catalyst for change and transformation. Fire is associated with will power and conscious choice. Fire inspires me to take risks, to act on the strength of my convictions and to tap into my courage and inner strength. It lies in the spark of inspiration, the spark of the imagination, the inner spark of my love and passion and my desire for happiness. These are generated from within me and inspire my actions in the world.
As an alchemist, I seek Secret Fire, Hidden Fire or Sacred Fire, the Fire that lives within me and helps me to be in touch with what is truly important for my spiritual journey. I aim to unite my inner Fire with my outer Fire, so that every thing I do in my everyday life, and in the world, is a reflection of this union.
By uniting the two I create a doorway, an interface where my inner and outer Fire can fuse together. Their union releases spontaneity and trust in myself, a clarity of inner strength and true integrity. I picture the opening this united Fire energy brings and jump right in. A new part of my journey has begun."
Glennie Kindred, from Earth Alchemy

  Use Fire to cleanse and purify and to burn away obstacles so that you can move forwards.
    Take time to explore passion, creativity, and growth as related to the Fire element.
     Light candles or bonfires for what you desire in the season of growth.

Stay Grounded and Centred

The energy at the Summer Solstice is yang, expansive, and outward looking. During this busy period of rampant growth it is important to stay centred and grounded. At the start of your yoga practice stand in Tadasana, mountain pose, close your eyes and each time you exhale drop your awareness down, from your head, to your hara, your belly, your centre. Do this for a few breaths.
Then try this: each time you inhale imagine that you are drawing prana, chi, vital energy up from deep down in the earth, up through the soles of your feet and your legs, to your hara. Each time you exhale imagine that you are storing this energy in your hara. As you do your yoga practice keep bringing your awareness back to your centre. This will help to induce a sense of calmness and spaciousness that you can carry with you in to your everyday life.