DIY Winter Solstice Yoga Retreat
At the end of the year in 2022, my mother and I had an impromptu winter solstice yoga retreat. We planned it as we went, and the intentions set during that time have help me stay focused all through 2023.
Not to mention that they have all come to fruition. Meaning that after a year of growing a business, community and relationships, I am now in a much better place than when I was at the beginning of the year. 2023 has been so successful, that we are going to do it again. And this time I am going to share our DIY Winter Solstice Yoga Retreat with you!
🤷♂️ What is the Winter Solstice?
Thursday December 21st is the winter solstice for 2023. It’s the shortest day of the year when there is more darkness than light, but after today each day gets brighter! It’s my favorite day of the year, a day when the Earth begins to tilt back towards the sun. A day when things end and begin again. Darkness means that there is more space to bring in light for a new beginning. Learn more about the winter solstice here.
🤔 What are Intentions?
Intentions are not goals or resolutions. Intentions are statements that we set, refer back to, and change as we go. Intentions are fluid and flowing. Setting intentions means to have a plan, a purpose, a focus. They may not turn out as you think, but intentions will come around and bring growth and change they way you need them to.
❄️ How do I create my own DIY Winter Solstice Yoga Retreat?
Creating you own winter solstice yoga retreat can be done in your own home, or going to another place to truly get away from it all. My mother and I chose the beach, but the mountains are a nice place to retreat to. If you are able to be in your own home, alone or with a friend, that’s always a comfortable (and affordable) place to be. As long as there are not too many distractions from the resting and relaxing intention of the retreat.
📝 Here is a list of things you will need/do:
✅ Journal - or notebook. Just something to write down your answers to the prompts, and thoughts, feelings and emotions that arise during the retreat. These prompts will guide you to set intentions for the retreat and the New Year. Find more prompts here.
Journal Prompts
Write about something you are grateful to have today that you didn’t have a year ago.
How have you truly expressed self-love this year?
How have you expressed love to others this year?
In one word, what has been your theme for this year?
In which ways have you best expressed yourself this year?
What was the biggest challenge or struggle you overcame this year?
Reflect on the most fruitful relationship(s) you’ve built this year
✅ Winter Yoga Nidra - one of my favorites! I listen to this winter yoga nidra practice several times a year. The nidra is guided by my dear friend Miranda Perterson-Harton, she is trained in the practice of yoga nidra and is a wonderful person.
✅ 61 Points of Light Relaxation Practice - 61 points of light relaxation practice is meant to prepare the body for winter and bring in more light. This relaxation practice is guided by me, and created for the purpose of the DIY Winter Solstice Yoga Retreat.
✅ Exercise - Go for a walk, run, bike ride, hike, paddle, anything outdoors. Here is am paddling on the Silver Springs River in FL during a DIY Winter Solstice Yoga Retreat. One of my favorite retreat activities!
Paddling on Silver Springs River
✅ Healthy Food & Snacks - Prepare a few yummy dishes to eat during the retreat. Here is one of my favorite dishes for retreat weekends. Click here for full recipe and more yummy salads to prepare
Lentil Salad:
Lentils
Kalamata olives
Cherry/grape tomatoes
Kale
Cucumbers
Dill
Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil
Salt & Pepper
✅ Inspirational/favorite books - your choice! Read an inspirational book, or a fun “beach book.” Here are a few books I have read that have brought guidance and inspiration:
The Four Agreements: A Practical to Person Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment by Thich Nhat Han
The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving-Kindness by Pema Chodron
✅ Yin Yoga Videos - Yin Yoga helps to prepare the body for rest and quiet. There are very few poses and they are held for 3-5 minutes. This is to allow time for the muscle to relax and open up. It’s a nice way to celebrate the winter solstice. I like this one, and have used it before, but feel free to search for your own.
✅ Yoga with Ms. Brandon podcast with more guided relaxation and meditation practices.
✅ Other Retreat Activities
Vision Board - Put the intention to action with a vision board of all the things you want to manifest.
Art/Craft Supplies to create - Feeling artsy? Take time to create something.
Puzzles
Music
📆 Schedule
The DIY Winter Solstice Yoga Retreat can be a one day event, or an evening/whole day/ morning celebration. No technology (use this time to “retreat” from the outside world and go within). The times can be based on your own routine, there is space to be flexible. Here is a general schedule to use as a guideline when setting up your retreat:
Day/Evening before the Winter Solstice:
Begin by gathering all the supplies you will need, going shopping and prepare for this time. *Optional: turn off the cell phone. Tell your friends you will be unavailable for a short time.
6pm - 7pm: Dinner Time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
7pm-8pm: Journal Time - use the journal prompts and choose one, two or three to focus on this evening. This sets the intention for the retreat.
8pm until bedtime: Free Time - Read, relax, or listen to the 25 minute Winter Yoga Nidra to prepare for bed.
Day of the Winter Solstice
Wake up! - Whenever you like, this is a retreat weekend, so taking rest is important and encouraged.
Before Breakfast: Meditation Practice - Sit and practice one of the the meditation practices, or practice your own.
8am - 9am: Breakfast time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
9am - until lunch: Free Time - use this time to do any of the things on the list. For example: Go for a walk, create art, start a puzzle, read a book, listen to music, practice yoga, journal more, take a nap, etc.
Before Lunch: Meditation Practice
12pm - 1pm: Lunch time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
1pm - until dinner: MORE Free Time - continue resting, relaxing and going with the flow. Have you taken a nap yet? Try that, it’s lovely and good for the soul.
Before Dinner: Meditation Practice
6pm - 7pm: Dinner time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
7pm - 8pm: Journal time - choose a few more prompts to write about, or continue the relaxing Free Time activities.
8pm until Bed: Free Time - Listen to the 61 Points of Light Relaxation (guided by me!) created for the Winter Solstice. Or any other relaxation practice. Also…YOU CAN GO TO BED EARLY. 😊
Morning After the Winter Solstice
Wake up! - Whenever you like, this is the last day of the retreat weekend.
Before Breakfast: Meditation Practice
8am - 9am: Breakfast time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
9am - until lunch: Free Time - You may be ready to end this retreat time, and that’s okay. End the retreat when you are ready. If not, feel free to keep it going with more of the free time activities: Go for a walk, create art, start a puzzle, read a book, listen to music, practice yoga, journal more, take a nap, etc.
Before Lunch: Meditation Practice
12pm - 1pm: Lunch time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
AND, you are done!!
How do you feel?? Keep your journal, journaling and intentions to refer back to through out the next year. I like to review my intentions each New and Full Moon to see how they are growing and changing. I also like to have mini DIY Full and New Moon Yoga Retreats each month as time allows. More to come on those in 2024! Happy New Year!!
Ms. Brandon, RCYT, RYT500, holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Western Carolina University, is a highly qualified educator, and has 20 years' experience working with children and children with special needs. Information for the kids yoga blog comes from Ms. Brandon’s 95 hour Children’s Yoga Teacher Training RCYS, and is approved by Yoga Alliance.
