Ayurvedic Summer Solstice Ritual

Nature is full of patterns and we humans love finding them, creating them, repeating them. This is the core of ritual, which is the repetition of words or actions deemed worthy of representing something bigger than ourselves. My view is that all over the world and across time, these are all a form of art, an elaborate performance or a secret poem, all vital in their ability to help us face the nature of time and change.

- Sasha Sagan, "For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World"

Ayurveda as a Daily and Seasonal Practice

Some of my favorite aspects of a regular Ayurveda practice are the rituals that surround it. In Ayurveda, we have daily routines known as Dinacharya and seasonal routines known as Ritucharya. For certain days and seasons, there are specific asana, pranayama, mantra, mudra, and dietary recommendations.

Vedic astrology, a branch of Ayurveda, goes even further and recognizes the planetary influence on the days of the week. Each day of the week is associated with a planet and possesses specific qualities. Thus, certain activities and practices are recommended to “appease” a planet and court its favor. You can explore the intersection of yoga and the planets in my show, Yoga and Ayurveda.

Cultures around the world lean into ritual as a way to sanctify events and create reverence for both the developed and natural world. Think of the ritual of getting a kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve or wishing upon a shooting star. These actions remind us that the events in our lives deserve attention. Rituals help us pause, create memories, and imprint moments in our minds.

Ayurveda and the Summer Solstice

On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, we welcome the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. In 2014, I was fortunate enough to teach the closing Sunset Flow for Solstice Times Square, an annual event in the heart of New York City. It was incredible to be in the middle of one of the loudest, most active places in the world and look out over the 3,000 people choosing to stop traffic (legally!) and sit in meditation together. Along with moving, breathing, and sweating together, we chanted Om and did Diamond Heart Mudra. The energy was powerful and there were intentions set, tears shed, and laughter. We smiled as we came together to practice yoga as a way of inspiring each other to work toward our Greatest Good.

This year, we may not be able to gather in close quarters with 3,000 of our closest friends. However, we can still create a ritual for ourselves or to share with close friends or family members. Below are some suggestions to inspire you this summer solstice:

1. Investigate the exact time of sunrise in your area and set your alarm for ten minutes before that time.
2. Get up and find a quiet spot to sit, either inside or outside where you can see the sky.
3. If you use a mala, a strand of beads used in meditation, bring it with you. If not, set a timer for five minutes and recite a mantra of your choice. Not sure of one? I recommend the Gayatri Mantra (which takes longer than five minutes if you’re using a mala) or perhaps one of my favorite sutras from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Sutra 1:36 states, Vishoka va jyotishmati (vee-shokah vah jyoh-teesh-mahtee), which translates to, “Focus on the ever blissful eternal light within."
4. When you finish with the mantra, get up, stretch your legs, and do three to five rounds of Surya Namaskar, better known as Sun Salutations. You might even choose to do the traditional Surya Namaskar with mantras. Follow along here with my Sun: Rise and Shine class from Yoga and Ayurveda.
5. After your practice, take a shower, perform any other self-care routines, and get dressed in a color that honors this day. You can wear a traditional white, gold, or orange for the sun.
6. Snack on summer fruit like peaches, nectarines, or berries. By enjoying foods bursting with flavor and sweetness, you celebrate the abundance of the summer season.
7. At some point during the day, make sure to take a walk outside, preferably somewhere you can see trees and flowers blooming in their full glory.
8. Either at sunset or before bed, give yourself the gift of a brief meditation. I love this prayer on Spotify. It might be a nice accompaniment to meditation or to listen to as you go about your day.

Namaste, Ali