When the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, something stirs within us. Nature retreats. Fields lie fallow, trees shed their foliage, and animals grow quieter. And what about us? We often try to fight against it. We keep up the pace, keep functioning, and are already planning for the coming year. And sometimes, we wonder why our bodies grow weary, why our souls cry out for more stillness. <\/p>\n
In many traditions, particularly in yoga philosophy, nature is seen as a mirror of our inner lives. Winter is not simply “dark” or “cold”\u2014it is an invitation. An invitation to pause, to turn inward, and to digest the year<\/strong>. And that is precisely what we often find difficult.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> In our culture, “withdrawal” quickly takes on the connotation of weakness. Anyone who withdraws is seen as “unable to cope” or “lacking resilience.” Yet in yoga philosophy, withdrawal is a conscious act of strength. It even has its own name: *Pratyahara*\u2014the withdrawal of the senses. <\/p>\n This does not mean isolating ourselves. Rather, it means learning not to constantly make the outside world the focal point of our inner experience. We turn our attention to what lives within\u2014and in winter, there is often much to discover there: <\/p>\n Stillness does not mean stagnation. Stillness means integration.<\/p>\n<\/div> Winter is a threshold between the old and the new. In nature, seeds can only germinate because they rest during the winter. Without this process, there would be no growth in the spring. In terms of yoga philosophy, this means: <\/p>\n For people with a history of trauma, the “winter mode” can be especially valuable. After all, nervous systems that have long been in survival mode require periods of low stimulation, gentle movement, and safe spaces. The stillness of winter can offer exactly that\u2014if we learn to trust it. <\/p>\n Yet silence can also be frightening. It can bring to the surface what we mask with activity in our daily lives. That is normal. And that is why being kind to yourself <\/strong>is so important during this time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> To consciously experience the quality of winter, we can be guided by three principles:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Not everything has to be decided today. Give yourself permission to slow down. Notice what is stirring within you. What does your body feel when you settle down? No winter lasts forever. When we look at nature, we see: everything is in motion, everything lives in waves. We can surrender ourselves to these waves.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> In occupational therapy with people dealing with trauma or illness, we often shift our focus during the winter months. Not dynamic flows, not \u201cpower,\u201d but rather: <\/p>\n It is about allowing yourself to feel yourself again\u2014not about optimizing yourself.<\/p>\n A very simple exercise for the winter is:<\/p>\n Hand on your heart \u2013 hand on your belly.<\/strong> This exercise is not a “tool.” It is a door-opener. A reminder that we are allowed to exist, even when we aren’t accomplishing anything.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Perhaps a lot has happened this year. And perhaps a quiet moment is possible right now.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to let anything go. You are simply allowed to: The Yoga Sutra states:<\/p>\n Winter invites us to do exactly that\u2014not by force, but with quiet friendliness.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Perhaps you might want to ask yourself sometime over the next few weeks:<\/p>\n Perhaps space will open up. Perhaps a sense of expansiveness will emerge. And when the darkness sometimes feels heavy \u2013 remember:<\/p>\n The seeds underground also lie warm and safe in the darkness.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6165,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-unkategorisiert"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Misunderstanding of \u201cRetreat\u201d<\/h4><\/div>
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<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Winter as a transitional space<\/h4><\/div>
Transformation requires periods without performance.<\/em><\/h5>\n
Living yoga philosophy in winter<\/h4><\/div>
1. Gentleness
\n(Sukha)<\/h5>\n
\nNot every day needs a result.<\/p>\n
\nBeing gentle isn\u2019t \u201cless\u201d\u2014it is wise.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>2. Perception
\n(Sv\u0101dhy\u0101ya \u2013 Self-exploration)<\/h5>\n
\nWithout rating.
\nWithout analysis.
\nJust observe.<\/p>\n
\nWhere is the tension located?
\nWhere is there vastness?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>3. Trusting in cycles<\/h5>\n
\nThe light is coming back.
\nAlways.<\/p>\nTraumasensitive yoga in winter<\/h4><\/div>
\n
\nInvite three breaths.
\nNot deeper, not better \u2013 just feel.
\nI am here. That is enough. <\/em><\/p>\nWinter as a time for the soul<\/h4><\/div>
\nPerhaps it was exhausting.
\nPerhaps you are carrying something heavy right now.<\/p>\n
\nYou don\u2019t have to process anything.
\nYou don\u2019t have to find anything.<\/p>\n
\nBe.<\/strong><\/p>\nYoga is the settling of the movements of the mind into stillness.<\/em><\/h5>\n
A personal thought for this month<\/h4><\/div>
What would happen if I allowed myself to feel less of a need to do things?<\/em><\/h5>\n
\nPerhaps a small point of light will appear\u2014one you can carry with you into the new year. <\/p>\n