2024 Winter Solstice Vibes in Paris
Ride those waves into the holidays: yoga, meditation and sound baths to welcome the light
“(…) by darkness a star is perfected.”
— Marianne Moore
Every creature, plant and luminous celestial emanation has a need for darkness and the stillness it brings. When we want to relax or sleep, we close our eyes. Because nighttime is important. Did you ever stop to wonder why Estée Lauder named her bestselling serum Advanced Night Repair? It is because it is during the night that “your skin is most actively restoring itself.”
Nighttime is Nature’s self-care
When you start to feel down about the fact that the sun will set at 16h54 today, try to remember that the darkness is there to assist in your ongoing perfection (with or without expensive skincare.) Lean into it; find ways to enjoy it; have a hot chocolate; slather on more serum; indulge in a little face yoga.
Last year I wrote that the solstice marks the time of year when night and day hold each other in perfect equilibrium. Night and Day are equal in duration. However that perfect equilibrium comes with a caveat: it is fleeting.
I find it a comfort knowing that Nature herself can’t find balance for more than an instant. If she can’t do it, there’s no need for me to beat myself up over not being able to achieve it (and maybe there’s really no need for chasing perfection via expensive serum after all.) All I can do is swing for it, wobble in and out of it, hold it lightly, and hope that my experience of perfection leaves me with a little extra glow.
After the jump: five different ways to saddle up your yoga and ride its waves into the holiday season…
DIFFERENT WAYS TO CELEBRATE SYMMETRY BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARK
Would any Winter Solstice celebration be complete without some Plasmic Gong Bath and Mantras with Romulo Pelliza in Paris? Friday December 20th, 2024, 20h-22h. Reserve here.
Prepare for the Winter Solstice with Samasthiti Studio’s Caroline Boulinguez and Nicolas Nakamoto: Yoga Nidra and Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutations), followed by a gong bath. Saturday December 21st, 2024, 17h-19h30. More details here.
Take advantage of the longest night of the year and delve into a healing sound bath with Moon Sisters Paris’ Alexandra. Saturday December 21st,2024, 15h-16h30. Reserve here.
When we posted about Zen & Sounds upcoming gong bath dates here, there were many slots available. Now with the Winter Solstice so close, most sessions are waitlisted however there are a few with availability. Check details and reserve here.
A more dynamic way to welcome the light is to join Anandakala in Montreuil for 54 sun salutations, pranayama and meditation. Sunday December 22nd, 2024, 10h-12h. Reserve here.
“Come forth into the light of things, let Nature be your teacher.”
—William Wordsworth