Summer Solitude - The Importance of Solitude

"Solitude is where one discovers one is not alone."  - Marty Rubin

Summer is a wonderful time!  More daylight and warmer weather allows more opportunities to get outside and enjoy spending time with family and friends and connecting with nature.

For me it can also be a bit overwhelming too.  We have acres to mow, gardens to plant and weed, and this year the weeds are plentiful :)  There is the yearly house maintenance - sanding and painting, window washing, etc. and that doesn't include wish list things which usually get pushed to the next year list.  Summer is also the time when I attend a few yoga teacher training workshops because I don't have to take as much time off when regular classes are running. I am fortunate and am not complaining but it means time away during the summer from family which changes their plans too.  Along with all this there is the expectation of going places, doing things and of course having FUN doing it.
I know, stressful right?  Which isn't what summer is meant to be. 
 
So, for me it is just as important to keep up my home yoga practice and find times of solitude. 

There are many studies, articles and books you can find on this subject too.
I found one pdf book - The Importance of Solitude for a Balanced Life that is short but has many great suggestions.  Here is the link:

http://www.interdimensionalhealinglight.com/the-importance-of-solitude.pdf


There is even a Dummies book out there - The Importance of Solitude for Happiness.
http://www.dummies.com/relationships/happiness/the-importance-of-solitude-for-happiness/

Here are some key reasons highlighted in an article on the book.

Solitude allows your body to catch up with your mind.

Solitude allows your brain to rest.

 

Solitude jumpstarts the parasympathetic nervous system (the branch of the autonomic nervous system that calms you down).

 

Solitude prevents burnout.

 

Solitude enhances creativity.

 

Solitude can be a time of self-discovery.

 

Solitude allows you an opportunity to deal with the big questions in your life. Solitude provides an opportunity for perspective.

So knowing this and doing this can be two different things.  But like all worthwhile things making and taking the time can be done by just doing it.

I encourage you to take even 10-15 minutes today in solitude.  Do a few stretches to loosen tight muscles and then sit with the breath.
Close your eyes and relax the face. Bring attention to the breath as it touches the nostrils on the inhalation and on the exhalation.  Without forcing allow the breath to become slower and deeper. Gently relaxing the throat and jaw and any hardness in the chest.  Feel how that release in the face and brain allows any tightness in the abdomen and diaphragm to also release.
Stay with that for even 5 minutes.

Ahh. I feel better already...


Happy Summer! 
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson - Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor
www.plnyoga.blogspot.com

July Classes:

Here are a few of my Fall Offerings:

This September I will be teaching a 3 hour workshop at Yoga Sublime Studio - www.yogasublimestudio.com  in Prince Albert. 
This workshop will begin with the outer body to help one move inward towards the inner core.

You can register online using the Mindbody app. for the studio.

"The physical body is not only the temple of our soul, but the means by which we embark on the inward journey towards the core."  B.K.S. Iyengar

And a few other classes :)