Saturday December 21, 2024 at 1:20 am Pacific Time is the start of the Winter Solstice. In the northern hemisphere the sun has gone south and left us in darkness. Yet, there’s hope. On the longest day of the year, the sun slowly begins its travel back.
Instead of waiting for January 1st to make new year’s resolutions – that are easily forgotten by February – what if you started the new year on the Solstice and utilized Nia practices at the same time.
Cultures around the world have their traditions of celebrating the light’s return.
In Newgrange, Ireland, people gather to watch the light enter a 5,200-year-old tomb for 17 minutes.
In South Korea, a red bean porridge called patjuk is eaten to grow older by a year and red is worn for good luck.
In Sweden and Italy St. Lucia’s Day is celebrated with parades and beautiful festivals of light for the martyred saint.
This is a time I want to curl up with a cozy book and hibernate. But I’ve also participated in celebrating the solstice with reverence and ceremony.
In Nia each class begins with a focus and intent. That gives the mind something to do while your body moves. The mind likes to be busy.
I’ve gotten into the habit recently (great suggestion by Debbie Rosas, Nia creator) of setting a focus/intent for the day while I’m still in bed and waking up.
It can be very simple.
- Focus: Laundry
- Intent: To have clean bedding and clothes
- Focus: Nourishment
- Intent: Fill the refrigerator with healthy food
- Focus: Connecting
- Intent: Spend time with my spouse, child, friend (so many choices)
Or your focus/intent can be more complicated. Whatever suits you best. And it’s just for the day rather than the whole year. It’s manageable and accomplishable.
These daily foci have given me more energy and positiveness. And I’ve actually gotten more done. I still have time for that book and I’m taking care of myself and life, too. And that’s what Nia is all about: finding health your body’s way. https://niaondemand.com