Description

Celebrate the Winter Solstice - join us for a full day of yoga

As the shortest day approaches, nature encourages us to look inwards, retreat and withdraw for a period of rest and contemplation. Meanwhile, at this time of year many of us are juggling work, family and social commitments which can leave us feeling depleted and worn out.

Five inspiring sessions will provide you with tools to navigate your own journey through this part of nature's cycle. There are regular breaks throughout the day to enable you to move away from the screen, process and reflect on your experience and find sustenance.

Joining us this year are:

• Emma Slade - Pratyahara, Concentration and Meditation - Insights from Mountain Retreat in Bhutan 
• Verity Sawyer - A Yin Journey through the Water Element
• Tarik Dervish - Ayurvedic Winter Nurturing 
• Donna Negus - Wake Up Your Inner Body (Scaravelli inspired)
• Gray Nolan - Wintering practices from the heart

You can attend as many of the sessions live as you wish and you will have access to recordings for all the sessions within 48 hours of the event finishing (found in the Meeting Information and in the Resources tab of the event, accessed via your dashboard calendar).

This event is for anyone with an interest in yoga, whether you are a BWY member or not, if you're a beginner yoga enthusiast or an experienced teacher - you are all very welcome. There will be options given, allowing you to choose what feels right for you on the day.

NB If you would like to purchase a non-member ticket, please register for a free account here first: https://portal.bwy.org.uk/register and login. Then the non-member ticket will appear at the bottom of the event screen.

CPD Points for teachers

If you attend the full day in-person then you will automatically have 6 pts added to your profile. If you attend online or a mixture of in-person and online then you will need to enter the event manually to your CPD record, allowing one point per hour attended.

Additional Information

Session 1, 9-10.15am

Emma Slade - Pratyahara, Concentration and Meditation - Insights from Mountain Retreat in Bhutan

Working from personal experience and years teaching meditation, Emma will talk about the way the later stages of yoga connect and why retreat is so crucial as a method for bringing them to life. The session will be live from Bhutan and use a key Bhutanese text.

This session will be approximately: 50% talk, 25% discussion, 25% practice.

Session 2, 10.45am-12.00pm

Verity Sawyer - A Yin Journey Through the Water Element

Explore the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine as we move through soothing yin postures that awaken the water element — the essence of winter, stillness, and depth. Through long, meditative holds, we’ll stimulate the Water meridians, release layers of fascia and calm the nervous system, guiding you into a deep state of peace and tranquillity.

Session 3, 1-2.15pm

Tarik Dervish - Ayurvedic Winter Nurturing

Seasonal regimen is an intrinsic aspect of the ancient teachings of Ayurveda. Understanding the impact of the seasons and knowing how to protect against its aggravating factors can helps us navigate through life more skilfully.  Discover how to stay balanced through the colder months. Learn how food, herbs, yoga and simple lifestyle choices can support your body and mind during winter.

Session 4, 2.45-4pm

Donna Negus - Wake Up Your Inner Body

The winter months can be seen as an opportunity to look inwards and discover our amazing ability to nourish ourselves.

With attentive movement and connection to the deeper places within us we may begin to find space and move with freedom and ease.

This practice aims to give you a glimpse of the possibility of moving with comfort. It is for all abilities and will simply allow you to move, breathe and be.

I have been taught, practice and teach with the insights from Vanda Scaravelli for over 20 years now. This way allows us to come away from performing shapes and connect to that deep place within us that responds to attention and care.

Session 5, 4.30-5.45pm

Gray Nolan

Slow down, unwind, and honour your body as we move gently through a mindful sequence of movement, breathwork and mantra. This end-of-day session is designed to help you connect with the natural rhythms of the season, fostering a sense of harmony, reflection and closure as the day draws to a close.

What to Bring

Each session may require different items, so please do check the information below so that you have everything you need:

Session 1

• A notepad and whatever you need to sit comfortably.

Session 2

• Blocks, cushions or bolsters and blankets.  

Session 3

• Notepad, mat, belt, blocks, bolster. 

Session 4

• A mat and whatever you normally need for asana and attentive movement.

Session 5

• Bolster or cushions/pillows, a blanket