12/25/2025
Another beautiful Facebook memory of times gone by at Orchard Hill Center: Health & Wellness - formerly Princeton Yoga - this one from 2017. As many of you know I so loved contemplating on and weaving together teachings of our varied wisdom traditions and nature into a contemplative tapestry.
Rest...Silence...Service...
"At Christmas, we are naturally called, as yogis, to understand that we are part of a collective story. And our mission is to uplift the world in which we live. One cannot do this without loving-kindness, generosity, and giving to others.
During the Holidays, our natural rhythms change. The inner soil is prepared by time-off, the sweet company of loved ones, rituals, and sacred tradition.
As yogis, we are called to cultivate inner awareness and learn how to harness the energies present to us during various times of the year-the change of seasons, the phases of the moon, the sacred times of the year.
…Naturally, the season of winter makes us more reflective and internally-directed. It is a time of hibernation, of looking within, of building a fire, and slowing down. There is less day light, more darkness, more quiet hours, and less prana (or vital energy).
Listening to the inner rhythm of winter gives us some clues on how to attain balance in our practice. It is important that we become very intentional about adding in more meditative, contemplative, and inwardly-directed practices to balance the physical asana practice.
It is beneficial to consciously slow down and engage in breathing techniques to increase pranic energy levels of the body that are naturally lower at this time. And so, this Christmas, in between parties, celebration, joy, wine, food, and friendship, perhaps we can begin to listen deeply to the seasonal pull of winter.
Yes…the Holidays are as much about celebration, joy, togetherness, and love.
But balancing the attentiveness you give to your external life with a similar attentiveness to your internal life will begin to breathe sacredness back into your experience of the Holidays.
And, perhaps, initiate conditions that will guide you into a peaceful, non-hectic, and centered start to the New Year."
Take some moments to come back home to yourself – with a little help from memories from your time at Orchard Hill Center.
Wishing all a joyous holiday season and wondrous new year!
Deborah Metzger
(Above excerpted from https://www.thehouseofyoga.com/…/three-sacred-practices-yog….)
