Happy Summer Solstice, arriving in late June in the Northern Hemisphere, and a time of high summer, early harvests, fruits and berries, creative energy in the natural world and for us individually.
Tap into the radiant energy of long bright days, short nights (as well as tipping into times of shorter days), basking, glowing, radiance, enjoyment, savoring, bounty, nourishment, possibly also thriving, relaxation, rest, vacation, getting outside, energy and adventure.
A ripe time for dance and sport intensives, camps, writing and creativity, and rich possibility for growth and breakthroughs!
Yoga & Meditation
Warming from the inside out, thawing out in the warm rays, embracing the longest day of the year even as we tip towards longer nights, these are some of the impulses behind yoga and mindfulness practices at this time of year.
I have created a number of stand-alone practices that are appropriate for Summer, as well as a Yogalicious 5-Day ReTREAT series.
Sunny Greetings
This Surya Namaskara / Sun Salutation yoga practice is guided by a “Sunny Greetings” Poem, my own adaptation and translation of a German yoga for kids Sonnengrüße/Sun Salutation from Seelenbaumler 3 minutes 50 seconds in.
Poetry can be helpful for children and for people of all ages to learn movement sequences such as yoga flows and dance choreographies, providing linguistic cues and imagery to fuel physical and artistic practice.
I demonstrate just a couple versions of many possible Sun Salutation variations, you may choose your own adaptation or approach to fit.
The first 2 repetitions I do a Surya Namaskara A along with the text of the poem, starting with the one side, then repeating on the other, the third round I demonstrate an upper-body, “no hands,” (no downward dog), potentially-seated option.
Develop focus, strength, mobility, and balance, a powerful presence and connection to the world around you!
Radiant Reflection
Basking like a lizard on a hot rock, a bather at the sea, savoring the fruits of the season, literal and figurative. We imagine glowing warmth and abundance in this meditation for Summer and Solstice celebration:
00:00 Introduction and Intention-Setting
01:00 Summer Energy Visualization
03:00 Summer & Solstice Meditation
05:15 Radiant Reflection with music (or silence)
08:15 Returning to shine our light into the world
09:20 Powerful Questions to contemplate
10:25 Much more summer fun to be had!
Some More Solar Practices
Glow Like Fire Yoga
Includes a Seated Sun Salutation at 6 minutes 17 seconds and other yummies
Yoga Sun Salutations
Birds of Summer 30-Minute Yoga Practice
Bumble Bee Breath
Beach Bonfire Guided Elements Visualization
Summery Yoga Books
- Yoga Through the Year: A Seasonal Approach to Your Practice by Jill Shipway
- Chakras & Self-Care: Activate the Healing Power of Chakras with Everyday Rituals by Ambi Kavanagh
Ripe for Reflection
Summer Solstice and my birthday in June are a juicy opportunity to take a look back at the first 6 months of the year and ahead at the next 6. There is still time to do what we dreamed for this year, but it is critical to review, reflect, and take action.
In 2024, I shared a midyear reflection in the Juicy June & Quarter Two Flew – 2024 Month 6 Review, Q2 & First-Half Wrap-Up article, which was one of the monthly reflections that Judith Peters inspired me to share during her Jahresrueckblick / Annual Review Blog challenge, and 2025’s update is soon due…
Consider recording your thoughts on the first half of the year and refreshing for the second.
Creativity
Maybe our reflections a the Summer Solstice move us with new momentum forward.
Energy tends to be high in summer with the long days, so it may be a great time to create something (although R&R is also totally legit!), and in this case you’ll also want to check out my Charming Chosen Challenges – creative ways to try out or jumpstart a habit collection and the Summer Fun In & Out of the Sun article or go directly to one of the following challenges:
- Ignite the Spark of Creativity Challenge, which features six different creative modalities in an approachable way
- Get Down Daily Challenge – build a habit of creative dance
- Balletlicious Building Blocks of Dance 7-Day Free Virtual Challenge
Questions for Reflection
- What will you harvest and savor this summer?
- Which items are on your summer bucket list/seasonal conditions of satisfaction?
- What is meaningful to you about the summertime or this current transition?
- In what direction is your creative energy flowing?
- Which holidays do you celebrate in the summer?
- How do you cultivate a sense of warmth and bounty at any time of year?
Resources for Further Exploration
- Summer Fun In & Out of the Sun – a Hot Weather Bucket List
- Rest & Recovery Rocks My World
- Wake Up! Yoga for Energy & Enthusiasm
- Cool Downs to Cleanse the Palate – 5 Ways to Cool Off & Wind Down
- Reflective Practice Through Journaling in Dance, Yoga, & Life
- Seaside, Oceanic & Watery Inspirations
- Spring Flings & Bright Things – a Bucket List of Fresh Seasonal Experiences
- Autumn Equinox Magic – Rituals to Romance the Transition from Summer to Fall
- Winter Wonders & Warmers – a Bucket List for Dark but Festive Times
- Happy PRIDE Month! Celebrating Diversity, Identity & Justice – Leaping Out of the Closet (again and again)
- Yogalicious 5-Day ReTREAT: Escape Virtually, Anytime
- Balletlicious Building Blocks of Dance 7-Day Free Virtual Challenge
- Adaptive Adult Summer Dance Intensive
- Balletlicious Summertime Dance Music Playlist on YouTube
The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing about as well as my favorite work from other creators is to subscribe to my weekly email newsletter. Would love to be connected to you there, on social media, online or in-person.
Thanks for reading and for practicing together in spirit or in fact! Take good care until next time.
Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
she/her or they/them
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education