Winter // bowing towards the yin

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I celebrate my first winter season abroad through observation of the growth around me, at times mirroring the growth within me. Sneeuwklokjes (snow drops) have captured my attention recently. These little white flowers provide a sense of hope during the late winter season. They also offer inspiration in the way they adapt to their surroundings. When the temperatures drop, so too do these flowers appear to bow inward, curling toward the warmth of the earth. During the warmer moments of the day the flowers unfurl upwards to take in the sun. Sneeuwklokjes, like me, oscillate between light and dark, warm and cool, yin and yang.

Through the limited light of the winter season, nature reminds me to come into balance by leaning into the yin side of life. This is the season during which I am reminded to honor the balance of masculine action and feminine reception. I bow toward the stillness as I notice what it is like to shift from thinking and doing, toward sensing and being. What I love about my intentional yin meditation and movement practice is how much it shows up for me during my daily life.

The yin of riding my bike with the awareness of contrast between the effort of my legs and the utter softness of my upper body.

The yin of breathing in the first rays of light upon my face when the clouds break for a moment to expose the late winter sun. Suddenly my mind chatter dissolves.

The yin of chopping vegetables with as little effort as possible. Just how much work can a sharp knife do without my jaw tightening in its attempt to help?

The yin of swimming laps and giving myself up to completely feeling the sensation of water enveloping my skin.

The yin of eye-gazing connection with another being.


So much is possible when we still ourselves enough to apply presence and awareness in the moment to moment level. How does your yin practice show up in your life?