Winter Solstice Mala (108 Sun Salutation Ceremony)

Name: Winter Solstice Mala (108 Sun Salutation Ceremony)
Start: 2024-12-21T16:00:00-06:00
End: 2024-12-21T18:30:00-06:00
Location: 100 W 3rd, Alton, IL, United States, Illinois 62002

Schedule

Sat Dec 21 2024 at 04:00 pm to 06:30 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

100 W 3rd, Alton, IL, United States, Illinois 62002 | Alton, IL

The Winter Solstice is when darkness peaks and daylight is at its shortest. It marks the longest night and shortest day of the year for the northern hemisphere.
The celebration of Winter Solstice honors that both light and dark show up in our lives like waves. We bring our awareness to how we transition between these two with grace.
To commemorate the sacred day, we will join together in community (kula) and practice 108 Sun Salutations together.
Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois referred to this practice as a Yoga Mala (garland of yoga). He stated each salutation is like a bead to be counted. The garland of 108 salutations adorns us with peace, introspection, and celebration. As he stated, “It’s not your history but your presence on the mat that matters.”
We will begin our practice by honoring the darkness. As we proceed through the ceremony, we will also honor a return to the light, a rebirth. In Blessings for the Longest Night, Jan Richardson explains, “This is the night when you can trust that any direction you go, you will be walking toward the dawn. “
While the practice of Solstice Mala (108 Sun Salutations) might seem intimidating, it is actually a ritual, an act of devotion. Please know that you can attend and complete 1 sun salutation or 108. You are always able to modify and take breaks. Yoga Alliance continuing education credits are available for registered teachers.
Following the Global Mala Project guidelines, we will work through the following:
Round 1 - Dedication for Personal Transformation
Round 2 - Dedications for Family, Friends and Precious Jewels
Round 3 - Dedication for the World
Round 4 - Dedications to the Source
Meditation and Savasana
More background will be provided at the beginning of class. We will have breaks between each round, although you are welcome to take as many breaks as needed. Each participant will receive 108 mala beads and the instructions and supplies needed to make their own 108 bead mala necklace.