It was June 21st, the Summer Solstice, the first day of Summer, and a promise of new beginnings. This particular day was abundant with light and our hearts were so full of gratitude. It was a time to pause and give thanks to the sun.
The group arrived and made their way to the backyard. Mats were unrolled facing the horizon in a semicircle. As we dropped into the present moment, the sun slowly started making its way down to the edge of the skyline. We pressed in and out of sun salute A, flowing to the rhythm of our own breath. Smooth acoustics fogged the lawn as the fireflies started to appear. Their natural light circled us and we made our way down to the mats. The sun painted a blaze of colors across the sky as we moved in and out of a few backbends and spinal twists, and finally landed right in savasana. This practice welcomed the start of the summer season, offering both buoyancy and growth. Eventually slow movements were made across the body, down our arms to our fingertips, and with a gentle bend in our legs and a wiggle of our toes, savasana came to an end. We rolled up our mats and gently flowed our way barefoot across the yard, from mat to table.
On the patio, the salads were just coming off the grill. Shaves of parmesan, a fresh grind of black pepper, and a drizzle of homemade dressing (emulsified dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, olive oil, juicy squeezed lemons, and fresh picked oregano) topped each half a head of char-fired romaine. Next up: Cedar plank salmon and grilled local vegetables gently sprinkled with sea salt, garlic, basil, rosemary, crushed black pepper, lemon peel and nutmeg. This main course was served with coconut, cilantro, lime rice. At the end of the meal, the table was cleared and the group walked down to a crackling fire pit to enjoy some sweet smores.
If you choose to see it, there is light everywhere. Pause, be still, let it surround you and fill you up. The Summer Solstice experience was one beautiful evening, surrounded by fireflies, stars in the sky, a waning crescent moon, the bonfire, a blazing grill, an incredible sunset, fifteen warm hearts and pure magic.
Namaste…until we meet again.