Summer Solstice Practice

Saturday 21st June 2025 will be the longest day. The Summer Solstice. The word solstice comes from Latin meaning SUN (sol) and BE STILL (stitium). It’s as if the sun has stopped in the sky and our daylight just goes on and on! The sun is our own radiant star. This ‘cosmic pause’ should be worthy of some kind of celebration. Don’t you think?

The Stillness of a Star: Observing a Cosmic Pause

This stilling of the sun heralds in the summer. It’s as if the sun stops for a moment to prepare for shining her brightest over the new summer season. Encouraging the plants to grow, flowers to blossom, fruits to ripen and animals to come out and play!

Perhaps it’s because there is literally more time- more daylight hours – that makes life seem more leisurely. More time to go out and do different things. Which means more time to get jobs done. And lots more light to be able to see things clearly…

Your Summer Solstice Practice

Grab a blanket and your blocks or cushions and head outdoors to a quiet grassy spot.

Sheetali Pranayama

Begin by finding a comfortable sitting position – use your cushions, blanket and blocks to get super comfy.

If you are able curl up the sides of your tongue to form a tube.  Inhale through the mouth, using your tongue curled at the sides. You will feel a sensation of chilled air hitting your mouth and throat.  If you find it difficult to roll the tongue, try inhaling through the teeth. You will feel the same effect.

Inhale deeply and slowly. Then, close your mouth and hold the breath slightly. Finally, exhale through the nose.  Do it 9 times and feel the coolness of the chest.

Hasta Uttanasana (Raised Arms Pose)

Hasta Uttanasana, or Raised Arms Pose, is a standing backbend. It energizes the body and improves posture. It stretches the spine, shoulders, and abdomen. It is often part of the Sun Salutation sequence and helps build strength and flexibility.

With bare feet, stand tall in Tadasana.

• Stand upright with your feet together or hip-width apart.
• Keep your arms relaxed at your sides and spine tall.
• Ground your feet firmly and engage your core.

1. Inhale: Lift Your Arms Overhead
   • As you inhale, sweep your arms up and overhead.
   • Keep your palms facing each other or join them together.
   • Stretch through your fingertips, lengthening the sides of your body.
2. Create a Gentle Backbend:
   • Gently arch your back, lifting your chest towards the sky.
   • Engage your thighs and core to support your lower back.
   • Keep your head in line with your spine or gently tilt it back.
3. Hold and Breathe:
4. Exhale: Release the Pose

Sun Meditation

Take a moment to enjoy the sun. A very simple meditation is to focus on your breath. As you breathe in, imagine breathing in all the illumination of the sunshine. As you breathe out, imagine breathing out a radiance of love and kindness to everything all around you.

Sit, using cushions and blocks, in a comfortable seated position. Focus on your breath. Soft breaths in and out through the nose. Feel the sunshine on your skin. Start to silently repeat the next mantra. Continue for some time and then let it go. Let go into the silence and relax a while.

***Breathing in – sunshine and brightness***

***Breathing out – a radiant shower of kindness***

Hydrate inside and out!

As the temperatures rise allow yourself more time to go about your daily live – rushing and heat don’t work. Avoid imbalances of energy during the transition to summer. Accept that this is a transition period for a week or two. Remember to ‘take it easy’.

Stay hydrated by drinking about 2 litres of water per day. Take showers and bathe to keep the skin clear and healthy. The skin takes on more work in hot temperatures by regulating our heat. Try to ensure that it remains well aired and well hydrated.