The Winter Solstice marks the "official" beginning of WINTER. It is a traditional celebration of the birth of LIGHT. December 21st, winter solstice, is the day of the longest night. From that night forward we will have more light. YIPPEE! The Winter Solstice marks a crucial part of the NATURAL CYCLE. As the sun begins its journey toward longer days, times of new growth and renewal are ahead.
The winter solstice (meaning “to cause the sun to stand still” in Latin) has been celebrated throughout time by just about every culture on the planet. This is the point of the year when the sun, and the light begins to return so it is a good time to reflect on how you can bring more light and De-Light into your life.
Whatever your beliefs, the winter solstice is a powerful time of the year, physically, emotionally and spiritually. My friend Rolando, who is an internationally known Tuscan sculptor (and very wise alchemist) says, “The winter solstice is cause for joyous feasting because it’s the “Christmas of Nature”. This is the time when you flip the frittata.” The frittata is done on one side and the seasons are ready for a turn. Use this time to revisit your life and your heart to better understand what is important to you at your core.
This is a powerful time of change and rebirth. Use it to help you become a radiant light force throughout the winter.
Women’s Quest is offering some amazing new retreats as well as our popular recurring retreats. We are offering many domestic and international retreats to choose from for all age and ability levels.
We are proud to announce our newest retreat addition!
Bali Yoga Retreat
April 2-10, 2011
Cost: $3000
Immerse yourself in the exquisite beauty of a culture devoted to harmony and the celebration of the sacred in every element of life. You can take part in daily yoga, and our adventures will include guided walks to sacred temples, hikes, snorkeling in a crystal sea, a bike ride downhill through the villages, a batik class, and more, integrated with abundant traditional culture. Click here to learn more.
We added a second 2011 date for our most popular retreat!
Costa Rica Surf and Yoga Retreat
March 27- April 2, 2011
May 15-21, 2011
Cost: $2400
If you've ever dreamed of catching a wave, of feeling the balance, grace, and joy of playing in a warm ocean, then this is your adventure. Learn how to surf, stretch your body and your mind, share the sunsets with new friends and have the time of your life. Come discover the true meaning of Pura Vida, or as the Costa Ricans say Pure Life. Click here to learn more
Women’s Quest Casting Call!
Women’s Quest is looking for women who are inspiring others as well as bettering themselves both mentally and physically. If you are interested in becoming a part of Women’s Quest as an ambassador and are willing to share your story, email us! We will be selecting 12 women to feature on our website. Lets show the world how powerful women can be!!
Last Minute Holiday Favorites!
There is still time to buy those last minute gifts for your friends and family… and most importantly, YOURSELF! Here are some Women’s Quest staff picks that are sure to be pleasers!
Athleta Minka Coat- The unique fabric on this jacket creates warmth and coziness and is perfect for any occasion. Athleta is a great choice for holiday shopping because they are offering free shipping on orders of $50. Click here to check it out!
Sherpani Bags- Sherpani bags are simply amazing! Stylish and practical, these bags will go with you anywhere! Our two favories: Verve and Passage
Outdoor Divas- Give the gift of Diva!... even if you aren’t one… The Aria Down Hoodie can be found in stores and online and offers ultra light warmth as well as a sleek look. Click here to view this great product!
Smartwool- When you think of wool, don’t think itchy, think Smartwool! Their clothing is warm, comfortable, and frankly, you wont ever want to take it off! Smartwool has you covered from head to toe. Our favorites are the Midweight Zip Shirts and PHD Ski/Snowboard Socks (offered for both men and women).
Castlewood Pottery- Winter is the time of year to snuggle up in a blanket with a steaming cup of hot chocolate or tea. Castlewood mugs are the perfect way to enjoy a hot beverage and to drink in style! Check out the Women's Quest collection online!
Naomi Maddux- For those of you in Colorado, the New Year is coming fast. Stick to your resolution with the gift of Feng Shui and organization! With help from Naomi in 2011, you can do it! Call 303.444.3158 for a free consult.
Forget winging it, joining your buddies work-out, or signing up for some cookie-cutter training program! THE MASTER RUN COACH is the only online program to tailor the training schedule to the individual.
The training is based on the Lydiard system, the choice of champions the world over to develop the winning combination of endurance, strength, pace and speed.
Finally after almost 2 years of crafting by our expert team, the individual factors of estimated VO2 Max, level of weekly commitment to training, and current fitness are programmed into each and every schedule for both the recreational and serious racer.Our proprietary software gives you daily progressive workouts to meet the dates of your specific event in peak condition for events from 1500m to the marathon.Click here to view the flyer.
NYR Organic- Visit the online store to view all the delicious and affordable gifts that can be given… or received… Who doesn’t want to pamper themselves with some of the best skincare products on the market!?
It’s Black Friday, but all year long! Visit http://www.sportysamples.com and never pay regular price again!
Women's Quest Gift Certificates available for both International and Domestic retreats… Why not treat yourself or your loved ones to an adventure they will never forget! Click here to get yours now!
Tips of how to allow “Comfort and Joy”
Restore! December is a month when cheerfulness is pushed on us in commercial doses, but it isn't really the mood of the season. The "natural" mood of the month is introspection, self-doubt, questioning, and withdrawal. The elements are turning us inward for our resting season. Animals know this is the season to hibernate so take their cue and retreat inside for some self-analysis and de-stressing. Be gentle with yourself. This is the time of the year for restoration and rejuvenation. Take time out from pushing your body, striving for success, and mental noise. If you have not learned to meditate give yourself the gift of a lifetime and dedicate some in-time to your mental, physical and spiritual well-being.
Sleep! *Solstice derives from an ancient Latin word meaning "stop," or "to stand still." Make sure you take time for yourself during the Holy-Daze, especially on the solstice. Luxuriate in a warm bath by candlelight to honor your inner being and go to bed early for some extra ZZZ's. Being the shortest day, nature intends for us to get some extra sleep.
Here is the key to staying healthy:
Stop
Calm
Rest
Restore
Celebrate! Long before Christmas, people celebrated the Winter Solstice. They felt this made the Sun God happy and hurried the coming of spring. Celebrations were held on the eve of the shortest day of the year, winter solstice. Celebration in thoughtful, appreciative ways such as brewing a warm cup of tea, baking some cookies, or placing sunflower seeds outside for wild birds to munch. It is fun to watch them celebrating with a treat! I enjoy hanging evergreens around my home this time of year. They smell delightful! Their green reminds me that life shines on, even when things may appear dead and withdrawn. Even better hang mistletoe in your doorway for good luck (and kisses!)
Give Away the Old! Clean out those dark spaces in cluttered drawers and closets and give away all that you do not use. If you are part of a group or a neighborhood, take up a collection of food and/or clothing and give what you collected to a social service agency to distribute to people in need. This way you have affirmed the clearing out process and made some room for the light to come in.
Start Anew! After winter solstice start over on your new plans and programs, building from the beginning to make yourself anew. Go slowly. Winter is the time for foundation building, and is only effective when built from the inside out!
“Go Slowly, Breath and Smile”
(this is my favorite saying by Thich Nhat Hahn)
Winter- A time for Base Building
by Lorraine Moller
Now that we are in the throes of Winter and our inclination is to curl up in bed with a hot toddy and a good book, rather than bundling up and braving the cold, how do we keep our fitness routines intact?
First off, do not fight the “hibernation” instinct. It is natural and worked with can balance out your training to your great advantage. This is the time to slow down and build a base. Whether you are running, hiking, cycling or swimming, leave your summertime aspirations for intense activity behind and concentrate on long, slow, steady aerobic activity. Remember the term aerobic? It means “with oxygen” as opposed to working yourself hard enough that you are out of breath. The acid test – you should be able to carry a conversation while you are working out aerobically.
An entire season of aerobic workouts will set you up nicely for your summertime season of competition for the following reasons:
- Since aerobic activity burns fatty acids you will become efficient at burning fats. The longer you work out aerobically, the more fat you will burn up and the greater your endurance. You will keep chugging along way past the time when your speedy buddies have bit the dust, and will be able to handle the faster workouts when Spring comes.
- Your body will build a fantastic network of blood supply to your peripheral tissues supplying life-giving oxygen to your entire body. Healthy! Healthy!!
- Tendons, ligaments and muscles have a chance to catch up to their faster developing counterparts, heart and lungs. Come summer, you will be less apt to pull a muscle or develop a nagging Achilles tendon when you speed up.
Long, Slow Distance activity puts you into a whole brain state and promotes endorphin production. No wonder it is popularly referred to as LSD. With both sides of your brain activated you will be wonderfully creative while working out and will hold that wonderful feeling of well-being for hours afterwards. Just the prescription for the wintertime blues!
Give Back to Yourself
As women we are programmed to give and the Holidays are a time when we tent to GIVE to much. It’s in our fiber and make-up to give, even if it means we sometimes lose ourselves. There are easy ways to fill the tank even during the stressful holiday season. If we watch the simplest of movements we do, just breathing, we can learn about give and take. We exhale and give away with no problem when we are breathing so we can make space to inhale and take on the new life and vitality of the fresh air. Our core knows how to do it without any problems, so follow your breath on this one and get in on the exchange.
3 ways to help you receive:
Praises and Compliments
When you hear a compliment take a moment and let it sink in and let it register with your whole being. If no one around you ever says nice things to you, you can always put up little praises for yourself around the house. I like to start with “I Am” and then end with the praise. I also give my husband a list of praises he can say to me at any time.
Eating consciously
When you sit down to eat your meals practice sitting with your food for one minute before you gobble it down. You can do this with the simplest of things, like your morning cup of coffee. Just sit with it and feel it’s warmth and allow it to penetrate every cell. In this way you are able to better receive the nourishment because you have take a moment to be conscious.
Spa days or hours or moments
One good sure-fired way to make sure you receive is to get a massage or some kind of pamper session. If you can’t afford a massage you could trade a foot massage with a friend. Get a shallow warm bucket of water and add your favorite essential oil to the water. Then rub away. You can also look up a foot reflexology chart and get really good at hitting all the trigger points.
REJOICE! Nourishing with Yoga
by Gretchen
Simple, simple…CHILD’S POSE.
Kneeling on the floor, hips dropped back by your heels, rest your head on the floor or on a pillow. Fold your arms wherever they are comfortable. (Colleen calls this the “egg pose.”) Send your breath into your back…toward your kidneys. (In Chinese medicine, winter is the Kidney Time.) Deep breathing creates a stretch for both your back and your hips. Experience your back widening with each inhalation…your spine naturally lengthening with each exhalation. Do child’s pose before bed for 3 minutes – helpful for making the transition to sleep, and an excellent gift for your back.
This holiday season I would like to encourage you to LET GO of some of the shopping or cooking or planning or decorating, and make the rest of the year SIMPLE. Yes, simple. Easy. Spend your precious time REJOICING in what is TRULY IMPORTANT—being with those you love and giving back to youself…
It Felt Love
How
Did the rose
Ever open its heart
And give to this world
All its
Beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light
Against its
Being,
Otherwise,
We all remain
Too
Frightened.
By Hafiz
The Bottom line is that this season is about light, love and opening our hearts. It is also a time of TRUSTING (that the light will return) and holding HOPE in your heart for your dreams. Every day just feel the encouragement of the light and watch how this light unfolds for you in every way. It is magical and we should all be giving Thanks every second for the simple things that bring De-Light like smiling at a stranger, watching the sun rise or my favorite winter activity which is Napping next to the woodstove!
Share the gift of
