Celebrating International Yoga Day & Summer Solstice 

International yoga day and the summer solstice both fall on June 21st. It is the longest day and shortest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. There are many things you can do to celebrate this special day and many don't require a ton of preparation. Remember to choose things that sound fun, and remember to wear something that makes you feel alive and like you. I personally love my athleisure wear from Adidas.  I can wear the leggings and tanks as I practice yoga and throw on a sweatshirt as I sit by the bonfire to celebrate the solstice at the end of the day. 

 

Ways to celebrate the Summer Solstice 

• Practice yoga- Head to your favorite yoga studio, watch your favorite YouTube yoga teacher, or simply roll out your mat and flow through a few of your favorite poses. 

 

• Sit outside in the sun - Continue your yoga practice off your mat and sit outside soaking up the sun. Grab a glass of water with a slice of lemon to add an alkalizing effect on your body. Remember to put on sunscreen as you feel the suns rays shining down on your skin. I personally prefer a zinc based sunscreen formula.

 

• Make sun tea- Use a large glass water bottle, fill it with water, place 1-3 black tea bags in the water. Leave outside in the sun and enjoy after the tea starts to turn a darker shade. Not wanting to make the sun tea outdoors? Instead of leaving it outside in the sun, place in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours to steep the tea. 

 

• Establish a new daily rhythm with the change of the season- since it's officially the start of summer it's the perfect time to start a new routine. For example, getting up earlier maybe you start a morning yoga practice, meditation ritual, or a new journaling routine. Or maybe you want to switch up your summer workout routine. In Ayurveda it's said the summer is a good time to not workout quite as intensely. 

 

• Have a summer solstice feast -Ideas for your feast can include; fresh fruit & veggies, quinoa salad, honey cakes, and or strawberry cake. Think fresh, light and seasonal foods for this start of summer feast. Invite your neighbors over for the feast and enjoy a bonfire after. 

 

• Have a bonfire- Finish your evening with a bonfire to celebrate the long summer day. You can also practice yoga by meditating as you stare at the flames. Another challenge make it a phone free bonfire. Anyone who is sitting at the bonfire enjoys the company of those around them without their phone. 

Activities to try with kiddos 

• Make a suncatcher - You will need tissue paper, contact (wax) paper, 1 Tbsp water mixed with 2 Tbsp wheat flour, paint brush.  Tear up the pieces of tissue paper and let your child place the tissue paper on the contact paper and "paint" on the water & flour mixture to act as a glue. Let dry and create your own popsicle frame or place in decorative frame near the window when dried.

 

• Garden- Let your kiddo(s) help you garden today. Maybe it's just watering the flowers or maybe they get to help you pick any vegetables or herbs that are ready to be picked.

 

• Finger-paint-Get out your paints and use your fingers to paint a picture of someone doing yoga under the sunshine rays. 

 

• Yoga- My son loves to roll out our yoga mats and practice doing a few poses. There are so many great kid books with fun animal yoga poses for the younger kiddos, and fun card games with yoga poses for both the younger and older kiddos. 
  
  

What ways are you/did you celebrate international yoga day and the summer solstice this year? Let me know in the comments below.