December Yoga News in Paris
It’s the most wonderful time… to pause, receive, reflect, and chill the F out
Winter is coming and the best way to prepare is to wear all black, join the Night’s Watch and hide in the fortress known as The Wall 😉
If you don’t appreciate what Winter represents, you could be forgiven for wanting to spend the entire season holed up somewhere, only to emerge when the sun is shining, flowers are blooming and berries are at their peak months later. You’re not alone —bears in the Pyrénées are over Winter, too.
But by hiding you’d be missing a wonderful time of year (maybe not the MOST wonderful): one focused on contemplation and rest; on storing and maintaining energy (qi or chi in Traditional Chinese Medicine); on allowing creative tendrils to unfurl languorously in darkness.
Even bears don’t shut themselves entirely away! They “(…) enter a long and light sleep, and they do still occasionally come out to explore.” And play (an important component of an artistic ursine practice.)
Winter is Yin Season in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Yoga
According to acupuncturist and TCM practitioner Elaine Huntzinger, Winter is Yin season, a time of year for nourishing and replenishing your energy because:
“(…) the long dark nights, the cold, and the desire to remain quiet and inwards is all meant to prepare your qi for the upcoming spring and yang energy.”
Winter’s too-short days, gloomy temperatures and weak solar rays are vital for regeneration because they prime the ground for growth.
More info on Yin: the Chinese Medicine practice, the Yoga practice:
Use Winter to wisely decelerate and let Nature do its thing. To dawdle energetically. To let the systems that support you do their thing. To let your projects and dreams take shape at their own pace, unhurried. It’s a time to pause, receive, reflect, and chill the F out.
Below a sample of sustaining mind-body practices and events to ensure each week leading up to the 31st has something replenishing in store for you.
DECEMBER TO-DO LIST: GIFTING YOURSELF THE LAST MONTH OF 2024
Want to treat yourself inside and out? This two-hour workshop with Julia Truffaut will help you do just that: face yoga + vinyasa + sound bath. Saturday December 7th, 15h-17h. Reservations here.
Winter is Yin season, a time to reclaim your energy by turning inward. Sign up for this workshop with Marine to release into/discover more space in your body and mind. Friday December 13th, 19h15-20h30. Reservations here.
Serial Yogger’s Axelle will get you on your feet and ready for the holidays with two different sessions during Yoga & Pilates de Noël at the MOB Hotel in Saint-Ouen. Sunday December 15th, 14h-17h30. Reservations here.
A sound bath is one of my favorite ways to mark the winter solstice, and this month we’re spoiled for options: a candlelight sound bath with Alexandra, Full Moon Solstice Sacred Circle gong baths at Zen & Sounds, or one that pairs vibrations with the energy of crystals…
Another way to honor the solstice is with sun salutations, pranayama and meditation. This two-hour special class with Helen will celebrate the return of the light by stoking the flame that lives within you. Sunday December 22nd, 10h-12h. Reservations here.
Perhaps what you need to close out the year is a cleansing practice? Join Céline for Vinyasa Détox de Noël that will include pranayama, asana and guided meditation. Tuesday December 24th, 10h30-12h. Reservations here.
Do Yoga in Paris makes a great holiday gift! Just sayin’…
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