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.

Six 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.

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.

Additional Information

Timetable

Session 1: 09:00 - 10:15

The Body Breathes: Jonathan Monks

This class is for those interested in deepening their daily practice as we will be looking at how internal release within asana creates cavities in which prana accumulates and, with practice, these charge the body like a battery. This accumulation of pranayama happens in the absence of any imposition of breath, so we will also be looking at ways in which you see how the body breathes for you. Since the key to pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) is prana, this is an excellent class to enrich your journey into practical yoga. 

Due to the nature of the practice, it is advisable not to eat a large meal beforehand.

This session will be approximately 40% talk/discussion and 60% practice.

Follow Jonathan:

@jonathanmonks on Substack

Session 2: 10:45 - 12:00

Yin Yoga - Turning Inwards: Gillian Cawte

Yin yoga is a quiet, floor-based practice that is accessible to all students - no knowledge of yin yoga is required as I will be explaining the poses and guiding you through the practice. The postures are held for 3-5 minutes as I encourage you to remain still with relaxed muscles. Soft bolsters or blankets can be used to help anyone experiencing some restriction.

During the practice we will be focusing on the water element which is connected to winter. We will be stimulating the movement of chi (energy) and restoring vitality through a practice focusing on the kidney and urinary bladder meridians. These meridians, or energy channels, flow through the front and back of the body and our practice will stimulate the water element which can become stagnant during the winter period.

Students are encouraged to feel into the target area and notice sensations or movement of Chi. Variations will be given to inspire students to make the practice their own.

This session will be approximately 25% talk/discussion and 75% practice.

Follow Gillian:

www.gilliancawteyoga.co.uk 
gilliancawte@hotmail.com 

Session 3: 12:30 - 13:45

Mindful Somatic Yoga: Debby Wilkinson

In this session of Mindful Somatic Yoga we will work with a blend of Somatics and floor-based yoga asana to really explore what it means to feel something from within.  

Our bodies react unconsciously to habitual movement and daily stresses, often becoming tight and painful with muscles getting ‘stuck’ in a certain pattern of holding. Somatics can help us learn how to release and recalibrate our muscles allowing the body to re-find an ease in movement that may have been ‘long gone’. We can then apply this experiential knowledge to more traditional yoga asana finding a more graceful and easeful way of moving, avoiding strain or force.

Mindful Somatic Yoga appeals to those who want to nurture themselves, really inhabit their own bodies and practise true self-care from the inside out.  The practice is suitable for all levels of experience.

This session will be approximately 10% talk/discussion and 90% practice.

Follow Debby:

@whitehorseyogacentre on Facebook
www.whitehorseyoga.co.uk

Session 4: 14:45 - 16:00

Ayurveda, a blissful afternoon of winter wellness: Brenda Ward

You are invited to join me for a blissful afternoon exploring the many tools that yoga, and its sister science ayurveda, offer to support and keep us well over the winter months. These include asana, breathwork, lifestyle changes and mindful adjustments to our diet. 

The session will open with the beautiful Purnamadah Mantra followed by a short presentation on the principles of ayurveda including the Five Great Elements and three doshas, as well as the daily and seasonal routine for winter. 

We will then move onto our mats to enjoy an Ayurveda-inspired winter practice which will include asana, breathwork and a simple (optional) warm oil foot massage. 

The session will conclude with a short but sweet guided relaxation. 

No prior knowledge of Ayurveda is required to attend this session.

This session will be approximately 50% talk/discussion and 50% practice.

Follow Brenda:

@brendawardyoga on Facebook and Instagram

www.brendayoga.co.uk

Session 5: 16:30 - 17:45

The value of hibernation – connecting with our True Nature through yoga therapy: Nikki Jackson

Winter is a time for hibernation, to connect with our True Nature, our Shabhava, a peaceful Soul inside. It is a time for rest, reflection, silence, inner growth and to create opportunities for more meaningful pathways in life.

Instead of resenting the cold and darkness, we can learn what Nature teaches us during wintertime - slowing down, sleeping longer, self-nurturing. We then become more accepting of the natural rhythms of life, more resilient and more insightful.  

This session will explore yoga therapy practices that encourage samyam (pacing) to conserve energy and calm the nervous system.

This gives every organ, body system and cell an opportunity for deep rest and restoration ready to blossom again in the Springtime.

We will practice compassionate based yoga therapy practices using somatic, mindful movements, breathwork and pranayama, mudras, mantra and a deep yoga nidra to finish.

A gentle, compassion-based practice suitable for all levels of experience, including beginners.

This session will be approximately 25% talk/discussion and 75% practice.

Follow Nikki:

https://yogafocus.co.uk/
@yogafocusuk and nikki_jackson_yoga_focus on Instagram

Session 6: 19:00 - 20:15

Resting in radiance: Carol Trevor

Winter’s darkness is the perfect companion for the light within. Wherever we are and whatever we feel, restorative yoga welcomes us with open arms, gently unveiling our deepest connection - to ourselves, to each other and beyond. The physical body is fully supported with props, allowing us to receive the poses effortlessly. To close our celebration of the winter solsctice, this nourishing session offers the simplest of sequences, beautiful readings and a gateway to peaceful being. Join us to pause for a while, rebalance and rest wholly in the radiance that is our universal essence.  

This practice is open to all levels of yoga experience. I encourage you to bring as many props as you can, or to gather cushions, blankets and books from around your home (details below) to really help you to get the most out of this session.

This session will be approximately 10% talk/discussion and 90% practice.

Follow Carol:

www.yogacarol.co.uk 

CPD Points for teachers

If you attend the full day in-person then you will automatically have 7.5 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.

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 block to help with sitting
• A notepad if you like to journal your learning
• Best not to have a big breakfast beforehand

Session 2

• Two small cushions or pillows

Session 3

• Your mat and a blanket

Session 4

• Notepad, pen
• Mat, blocks and belt
• For those taking part in the optional foot massage, please bring a small bottle of warm, untoasted sesame seed oil and a towel.

Session 5

• Mat
• Bolster
• Two blankets
• Notepad

Session 6

• Yoga mat
• 1 bolster (alternative: yoga mat rolled within firm blankets, or any version of this that can support our body weight without sinking!)
• 2 firm (yoga) blankets, ideally of equal size
• 2 blocks (or books)
• 1 brick (optional)
• 1 pillow or cushion
• Eye pillow or scarf 
• Cosy socks
• Favourite shawl/soft blanket for comfort