This image came into my horizon today and I just had to share.  I have to be honest, winter is not my favourite season, so I have to keep reminding myself to embrace the beautiful things about winter. Learning to dance in the rain. Of course, this is a metaphor for finding the inner strength to embrace all of the elements of your life and finding not only acceptance for the circumstances you are in but joy.  Being thankful for all of life's colours.
This reminds me of mountain pose, Tadasana. When we connect to that inner strength and resilience, just like a mountain, we can weather all seasons. Even if the storms, wind and rain create some instability on the surface, we remain who we are at our very core. Unmoved, stable, connected.  We are often challenged by our own emotions and thoughts that arise when are going through a rough time. Thinking of these emotions as passing bad weather and not getting caught up or attaching to them helps us to remember that "this too shall pass".

So here we are, thrust into the middle of winter. How did that happen? Yesterday was the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere and today here in Melbourne we are reminded of how cold winter can be in these southern parts!  
So what does winter mean to you? It can be a lovely time of reconnecting with our families, over hot cups of tea or hot chocolate and maybe a DVD. Or snuggling up in a warm bed with a good book. Trying to snatch a sleep in or two.  I relish the opportunity, if it arises, to channel my inner cavewoman and stoke an open fire.  I also cherish the invigorating feeling of sharp, cold air in my lungs and on my cheeks and the kinship I feel with nature when I go for a bush walk. 
Winter is a time of self reflection, it gives us a chance to go inward and let go of busy-ness. For recuperating and preparing for the rest of the year. 

Give yourself permission to be slow. Allow yourself to retreat into your cave and take some time for you. 
Our winter yoga practice helps us connect to a place where we allow ourselves to be slow and let go of all the doing so we can be with our inner selves. It also helps create a little heat or inner fire, agni to burn up all the stale energy to make room for new possibilities. And personally, I feel particularly in this season my yoga practice stops me from going quietly mad! 

What do you love about winter?
Looking forward to seeing you on the mat.
Namaste, Kate x