A Yoga Sequence For The Winter Solstice To Set Intentions For The New Season

Start off by warming up your spine and feeling the fluidity through your upper and lower back as you flow through a cat-cow sequence.

Link each curve of your body with an individual breath, keeping the pace as slow or as fast as feels good for you. This is a great way to wake up the body and prepare it for the rest of the energizing yoga sequence.

After you've completed about five rounds of cat-cow, find some internal and external strength in plank pose.

Engage your shoulders and spread your fingers wide on the mat so that your wrists are firmly supported. Stay centered and stable, and hold the plank for about 10 even, slow breaths. Make sure to keep your body as straight as possible.

Transition from a plank into your first downward facing dog, pedaling out your feet and allowing your calves and hamstrings to gently open up.

Draw your belly button toward your spine, and bring your heels as close to the mat as feels comfortable. Strongly engage your entire body, but be sure to maintain balance as you find softness in this asana, as well. Take a few deep breaths in and out in this pose.

Make your way to the front of your mat, and begin to bring some subtle heat into your body while flowing through a few sun salutations.

In the spirit of the winter solstice, take your time with each movement, filling your sequence with intention and mindfulness. Now is the perfect time to set some intentions for this next season and the new year ahead.

When you've completed about three rounds of sun salutations, bring your body into a grounded, yet energetic warrior II pose.

Extend your arms firmly and powerfully, and sink deeply into your front knee, shooting your energy toward the front of the room. Stand tall and strong, gazing just past the tips of your fingers.

Introduce a juicy side stretch into your practice by reversing your warrior and gazing up at your outstretched arm.

Fill your lungs with the air that surrounds you, engage your core, and on your exhale, bend your front knee a bit deeper. This stretch should feel challenging yet soothing.

Turn inward, and honor the magic of the winter solstice by folding forward toward the Earth in devotion.

Humble warrior will open your shoulders and release your hips, while also requiring strength and stability throughout your body.

While you're still in humble warrior, gaze slightly beyond your front foot and prepare for half moon, a pose infused with balance and focus.

Engage your lifted leg and pretend that you're pushing against an imaginary wall. Fix your gaze on a stable object to maintain your strength and stability. Don’t forget to smile throughout this yoga sequence as you’re trying your best.

First, make sure to repeat the poses from warrior II to half moon pose on the opposite side of your body. It’s important all poses and stretches are done on both sides of the body.

Once you've completed both sides, make your way to the front of your mat, and sink into a chair pose. Channel your inner power, and maintain gentle and full breaths as you sit deeper into your imaginary chair. Lift your chest higher and higher, opening your heart as you do so.

Turn inward once more, wrapping your legs in a bind and mimicking this motion by interlacing your arms together. This is an eagle pose.

Reflect on your innermost thoughts as you hug your body in this comforting and focused asana. Keep your balance by focusing on one object straight ahead.

As you unravel your limbs from eagle pose, shoot one of your legs backward into a strong and balanced warrior III.

Gaze forward as you bring your hands to the center of your chest, connecting your thumbs to your heart space. This pose requires a lot of balance and concentration, so it may take you a second to get into it.

Gently drop your back leg and sink your knee into a low lunge. Raise your arms up above your head, and gaze upward at your thumbs with each breath becoming even more expansive than the last.

Consider adding a comfortable backbend into this pose to create even more space in your upper body.

Create a counter stretch for all of the space you've just created by surrendering into a half split, and stretching your hamstring out as much as you can without hurting yourself. Savor the moment, and focus on opening yourself up to the changes that the winter solstice will bring.

Still in your half split, create an angle with your front knee and make sure that your hips are squared with your back leg directly behind you.

Melt into this deep, hip-opening pigeon pose, and let go of everything that doesn't serve you as you transition into the brand new solstice. Lean forward to sink deeper into the stretch, taking deep breaths in this position.

Before you prepare for camel pose, be sure to repeat the asanas from eagle pose to pigeon pose on the opposite side of your body.

Once the sequence has been balanced on both sides of your body, begin to make your way into the heart-opening backbend that is ustrasana. If your lower back isn't ready for the full expression of the yoga pose, tuck your toes so that your heels will be closer to you and more accessible or lean back and put your hands on your lower back for support.

After you've practiced camel pose anywhere from one to three times, make your way onto your back with your knees bent and your feet on the outer edges of your mat. Allow your knees to come together and touch.

After you've rested here for a few breaths, lift your hips up into a bridge pose, bringing your arms and shoulders underneath you for gentle support and stability. Stay with your even breaths and concentrate as you imagine yourself squeezing an imaginary block between your knees.

Release any tension that you may have been holding in your lower back by hugging your knees into your chest for a knees to chest pose. This is a great counter stretch for the back-bending your body has just done.

Remember, all poses come with a way to balance themselves to help you find equilibrium during the winter solstice.

Extend your body outward and drop your knees to one side of your body, with outstretched arms, to release and rejuvenate your lower back. The reclined spinal twist stretches, lengthens and relaxes the spin. Consider moving into and out of this pose very slowly.

Stay revolved toward one side for a few breaths, and then repeat the asana on the opposite side of your body.

As you prepare to close your practice, come into a supported shoulder stand, holding your lower back with your hands and firmly engaging your glutes and thighs.

Consider complementing your shoulder stand with a relaxing and rejuvenating plow pose before you come to lay on your back. Maybe your body will want to stretch further and transition to a happy baby pose.

Finally, slip into a soothing savasana, and enjoy this energizing, yet grounding conclusion to your winter solstice flow. Relax your entire body from head to toe, close your eyes, and observe your thoughts without judgment. Thank yourself for dedicating this time to your practice, and express gratitude for the magical rising of the winter sun.