DIY Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat
The Summer Solstice is my favorite moment in the entire year. Summer begins on this day, and my birthday falls around this pivotal time in the stars. The summer solstice is an opportunity to take time to reflect and be in nature.
That is why I have put together this DIY (Do It Yourself) Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat for you! Take some time for yourself and set a few intentions for this next phase in the season. This post is a general plan with ideas and activities to enjoy time in nature, to slow down, self reflect, and enjoy the warmth and light of the summer sun!
🤷♂️ What is the significance behind the Summer Solstice?
The summer solstice is considered the first day of summer, usually falling between June 20-22, depending on the tilt of the Earth. The word solstice means “sun standing still,” in Latin. It’s when the sun is at its highest point in the Northern Hemisphere, a day of the most sunlight and day light hours. In ancient cultures, people would celebrate this time of year with festivals, or would relax and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Either way, the summer solstice is a time to celebrate successes, and reflect on the year ahead. Learn more here.
🤔 What are Intentions?
Intentions are statements that we set, refer back to, and change as we go, not goals or resolutions.
Intentions are fluid and flowing, unlike goals which are concrete and permanent.
Setting intentions means to have a plan, a purpose, a focus.
They may not turn out as you think, but intentions will come around and bring growth and change they way you need them to.
For example, taking more time to spend in nature can be an intention of your DIY Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat.
🌞 How do I create my own DIY Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat?
Creating your own Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat can be done in your own home, or going to another place to truly get away from it all. If you are able to be in your own home, alone or with a friend, that’s always a comfortable (and affordable) place to be. As long as there are not too many distractions from the resting and relaxing intention of the retreat.
When I have the opportunity, I will practice the DIY Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat at my own home for one day, or a whole weekend! It also happens to fall around my birthday weekend, so that makes it more special.
📝 Here is a list of things you will need/do:
✅ Journal/Notebook
Just something to write down your answers to the prompts, and thoughts, feelings and emotions that arise during the retreat.
Journal Prompts - Learn more here.
How are you finding balance in your life?
Are you finding the courage to be the boldest version of yourself?
What new beginnings are manifesting (see) for you?
What mistakes are you learning from?
How are you being more compassionate with yourself?
Are you taking time to be in nature?
How is your life prospering so far this year?
✅ Prepare Healthy Meals
Before the DIY retreat, plan your meals, go shopping and prepare a few yummy dishes to eat during the retreat. Below is a recipe for one of my favorites, Lentil Salad:
Lentil Salad:
Lentils
Kalamata olives
Cherry/grape tomatoes
Kale
Cucumbers
Dill
Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil
Salt & Pepper
Click here for full recipe and more yummy salads to prepare
✅ Relax and Read
Choose a book for your own personal library and start reading on this retreat. Here are a few recommendations:
The Four Agreements: A Practical to Person Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment by Thich Nhat Han
The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving-Kindness by Pema Chodron
✅ Practice Yoga
The summer solstice in an opportunity to slow down and rest, relishing in all the things that you have accomplished and completed so far this year. Practicing Restorative Yoga during the summer months is cooling and healing. Here is a wonderful guided practice by Michael Johnson, one of my yoga teachers and spiritual guides. While he guides you through the poses, he tells an ancient story about resilience. Inspiring!
✅Meditate
The summer solstice is a time of self reflection. It’s an optimal time to practice meditation either in your home or out in nature.
Mountain Springs Meditation connects the shape of your body, your breath, and your thoughts to a waterfall in the mountains. Be the observer of your thought springs that come together to form a waterfall.
Download from the website, or listen below 👇
✅ Exercise
The summer solstice is all about being outside in nature breathing and moving for a healing and soothing experience. Go for a walk, run, bike ride, hike, paddle, anything outdoors. Choose your favorite activity or try something new. Go to your favorite place, or choose a new place to explore. Here I am exploring a new trail on a waterfall hike in the Craggy Mountains in NC.
✅ Practice More Yoga!
Summer time and the summer solstice is a time to celebrate the fire element and the sun. However, our bodies are already heated from the warm/hot temperature, so practicing cooling yoga to relax the body in recommended. So, after your fun hike or other outdoor activity, try a cooling yoga practice by my wonderful friend Miranda. Namaste!
✅ Meditate some more!
Here are a few more options for meditation and relaxation from my podcast Yoga with Ms. Brandon Meditation and Relaxation Practices to try out during the DIY Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat retreat. Some are for children, and adults!
✅ Relax with Yoga Nidra
The summer solstice is a time to relax and self reflect. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is nap, or relax with a yoga nidra. This summer yoga nidra is guided by my dear friend Miranda Perterson-Harton, she is trained in the practice of yoga nidra and is a wonderful person.
✅ Other Retreat Activities
Lastly, gather any other supplies needed for your favorite hobby or crafting project. This DIY Summer Solstice Retreat is time just for you, so do what you enjoy! Here are a few examples:
Vision Board - Put the intention to action with a vision board of all the things you want to manifest.
Art/Craft Supplies to create - Feeling artsy? Take time to create something.
Puzzles
Listen to Music
NAP!!!
📆 Schedule
The DIY Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat can be a one day event, or an evening/whole day/ morning celebration. No technology (use this time to “retreat” from the outside world and go within) The times can be based on your own routine, there is space to be flexible. It’s best to be done on a Fri-Sun weekend, but do what works best for you. Here is a general schedule to use as a guideline when setting up your retreat:
Day/Evening before the Summer Solstice:
Begin by gathering all the supplies you will need, going shopping and prepare for this time. *Optional: turn off the cell phone. Tell your friends you will be unavailable for a short time.
6pm - 7pm: Dinner Time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
7pm-8pm: Journal Time - use the journal prompts and choose one, two or three to focus on this evening. This sets the intention for the retreat.
8pm until bedtime: Free Time - Read, relax, or meditate to prepare for bed.
Day of the Summer Solstice
Wake up! - Whenever you like, this is a retreat weekend, so taking rest is important and encouraged.
Before Breakfast: Meditation Practice - Sit and practice one of the meditation practices, or practice your own.
8am - 9am: Breakfast time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
9am - until lunch: Free Time - Use this time to do any of the things on the list. For example: Go for a walk, create art, start a puzzle, read a book, listen to music, practice yoga, journal more, take a nap, etc.
Before Lunch: Meditation Practice
12pm - 1pm: Lunch time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
1pm - until dinner: MORE Free Time - Continue resting, relaxing and going with the flow. Have you taken a nap yet? Try that, it’s lovely and good for the soul.
Before Dinner: Meditation Practice
6pm - 7pm: Dinner time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
7pm - 8pm: Journal time - Choose a few more prompts to write about, or continue the relaxing Free Time activities.
8pm until Bed: Free Time - Read, or listen to a relaxation podcast. Also…YOU CAN GO TO BED EARLY. 😊
Morning After the Summer Solstice
Wake up! - Whenever you like, this is the last day of the retreat weekend.
Before Breakfast: Meditation Practice
8am - 9am: Breakfast time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
9am - until lunch: Free Time - You may be ready to end this retreat time, and that’s okay. End the retreat when you are ready. If not, feel free to keep it going with more of the free time activities: Enjoy more time in nature, create art, read a book, listen to music, practice yoga, journal more, take a nap, etc.
Before Lunch: Meditation Practice
12pm - 1pm: Lunch time - Mindfully prepare your meal, eat, and clean up.
🥰 AND, you are done!!
How do you feel?? Keep your journal and intentions and refer back to them at various times to see how they are growing and changing. I like to review my intentions each new Moon or full Moon cycle to see how they are manifesting. I also like to have mini, one day or half day DIY Full Moon Yoga Retreats and New Moon Yoga Retreats each month as time allows.
Ms. Brandon, RCYT, RYT500, holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Western Carolina University, is a highly qualified educator, and has 20 years' experience working with children and children with special needs. Information for the kids yoga blog comes from Ms. Brandon’s 95 hour Children’s Yoga Teacher Training RCYS, and is approved by Yoga Alliance.
