Happy Imbolc 2021!
The halfway mark between winter and spring is upon us! The Wheel of the Year moves forward in the celebration known as Imbolc.
This is a time to ignite your creativity, process new ideas and offer yourself satisfactory self-care.
A restorative form of self-care that I have come to covet lately is the traditional end pose of a yoga asana called savasana.
Lie on your back and let your shoulders relax against the ground. Rest your arms and legs comfortably, supported by the earth.
You have reached savasana. This is a restorative pose.
You don't need to do anything. Breathe.
Inhale through your nose slowly counting to five. Hold your breath for a moment feeling the expanse of your belly.
Exhale through your mouth slowly counting to five. Give one more huff like you are blowing out candles on a cake.
As you breathe in, let your body fill with clean, refreshing air. As you breathe out, expel all the stale, murky air.
Let the increase in oxygen saturate in your bloodstream rejuvenating your muscles, pumping your lymphatic system and letting the next breath come a little easier.
Other forms of self care to practice during Imbolc are:
Set your intentions for the coming season
Light a candle in offering to the sun’s increasing warmth
Sit by a river or watch the rain
Take a bath
Watch the sunrise
A massage
You don't have to go somewhere and pay someone. You can satisfy yourself.
Lie on your back and relax your shoulders. Now bring your knees to your chest. Connect under your knees with your arms or a band. Slowly rock towards your neck feeling the floor put pressure on the muscles along your spine. Now rock toad your butt changing the direction of the pressure. Whether your movement is big or small, you will feel the massage through your muscles. Now stretch out your arms and legs until they are comfortably supported by the ground. Breath. Renew.
Seasons greetings! Happy Imbolc!
