Summer Solstice in the City with Yoga Tree’s Amanda O’Malley

You really can’t hate how much longer the days are getting! As the spring draws to a close, the warm, gorgeous nights that we look forward to all year long are lifting our spirits and giving us that well needed (and well deserved) respite from the eerie chill of winter. We have a lot more time to see our friends, spend time outdoors, and everything in between. We’re getting closer and closer to the longest day of the year, and with that date in view, the promise of an unforgettable summer reaches its crescendo.

The longest day of the year, also known as the Summer Solstice, is on June 21st. In ancient times, the Celts celebrated it as the time when the Sun God was at his greatest strength. He became the warrior, the guardian of the earth, and a protector of the people. With his spear raised to the sky, he promised fertility for the crops that would ensure a fruitful harvest in the months to come.

In honor of the lore of the Sun God, many people would light a bonfire to welcome the “friendly fire” of his warmth. Many centuries later, this is still a tradition beloved by people all over the world. It doesn’t get much better than gathering with your loved ones around a bonfire on the longest day of the year, sharing laughs and sharing stories into the night. (And, if there are any yogis in the crowd, perhaps a few sun salutations to get the energy flowing.)

By many accounts, the Summer Solstice is a time for magic and a time where anything is possible. It was believed that “Midsummer Night” was the night when the fairies would be most active in England and Ireland, giving birth to Shakespeare’s most magical play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was an undeniably powerful time for the ancients, and its power is still observed today.

The Summer Solstice also holds a very special place in Yoga Tree’s heart this year. The OM TO festival will be happening on Saturday June 21st, and our very own Amanda O’Malley will be leading a class from 9:15 am to 9:55 am in the Distillery District at 55 Mill Street. This will be the perfect way to rise with the sun and pay homage to the glory of summer, the yogi way! Be sure to come by and practice with us; we will be happy to see you!

May the blessings of this coming summer be beautiful, bountiful, and true. Namaste!