February 2025 Theme
by Jackie Hudson CYTA Committee Member
As the winter ebbs towards its completion and the first signs of spring start to appear I am enjoying times of reflection and a conscious awareness of my surroundings and the subtle changes that are occurring. Taking time to appreciate and reflect on our environment is important at this time of year as during the winter months we can become disconnected with nature and the outside world, perhaps becoming insular during the dark and colder months.
February brings two celebrations that can give us inspiration – Imbolc (or Brigid’s Day) and Valentine’s Day.
The Imbolc falls on 1st or 2nd February and is a festival of returning light and the stirrings of Spring. It is a turning point as spring starts to show early signs of growth and new life and it is the mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, or Cross Quarter Day.
The gaelic term Imbolc means ‘in the belly’ and is mentioned as early as 10th century literature, often relating to the new lambs beginning to grow in the sheep’s bellies. In yoga, belly breathing (or diaphragmatic breathing) has many benefits and is an invitation to create more space within the breath and perhaps gentle focus on the turning points (or kumbhakas) in pranayama.
Most people are aware of February 14th… this can be a good way focus on the heart space and cultivate feelings of love and compassion. Partner yoga can be a nice way to celebrate Valentine’s if that is appropriate for your group or if not there are many ‘heart opening’ asanas that we can practise:
Bow, Bridge, Dancer, Cow Face, Cobra, Camel, Fish, Sphinx…you get the idea.
Finally, a great way to connect to the heart space is through a gratitude practise. Some people find a gratitude journal helpful and for others simply to look around you the next time you are ‘present’ and count 5 or 10 things you are thankful for – simple things or more complex (eg, your ability to actually see, the cup that might be holding your cup of tea, the sense of taste to be able to enjoy the tea). Gratefulness is way to become more present in our daily lives and can lift our mood and enhance our physical health and done on a regular basis as part of your yoga really helps us to connect with our heart energy.
Sending love and light
Jackie