Warmth from the Inside: Yoga & Meditation in the Winter

Winter can be a heavy time. We shuffle slowly down the sidewalk carrying ten extra pounds of clothing, battling the sharp air. It's hard to peel yourself out of bed in the morning, and the dark nights can make you feel like your bedtime is 5pm.

This is one of the most important times of year to connect with a spiritual practice. Not only can it help combat depression and holiday stress, practices such as yoga and meditation stimulate health and well-being for both body and mind. Yoga is proven to strengthen the immune system and counteract joint stiffness that comes from cold weather and lack of movement. Meditation invites stillness into a chaotic and fatigued mind, allowing spaciousness and compassion to melt the armor we wear during winter.

Try this simple exercise to relax into the season:

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Spread your weight evenly between both feet and lengthen your spine. Bring your skull back slightly with your chin gently tucked. Relax your shoulders and your fingers. Stand this way and breathe deeply in what is called Tadasana or Mountain Pose. Try this while you are outside, see if you can keep your muscles relaxed rather than tensed in resistance to the cold. Releasing tension in response to the cold is warming because blood can flow more easily through relaxed muscles.

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