As we gather over the holidays, and during this time of the Solstice, to celebrate this past year and create intentions for the year ahead, I find myself reflecting on a unique and exciting transition.
This Sunday, December 21, 2025, marks the Solstice, a powerful day of seasonal shift. I just realized I’ll be experiencing something extraordinary as I will be experiencing both the Winter Solstice and the Summer Solstice on the very same day!
How is this possible?
On December 21, I’ll be flying from Tokyo (mid-winter in the Northern Hemisphere) to Sydney (the height of summer in the Southern Hemisphere). In a mere 9-hour flight, I will be transported from the shortest day of the year to the longest day of the year. Wow, how incredible!
I feel so grateful for this opportunity to witness both extremes of the Earth's cycle at once.
This rare "double solstice" feels like a powerful catalyst for manifestation and a moment to honor the introspection of the dark and the vibrant expansion of the light simultaneously.
Whether you are embracing the Winter Solstice, a time for turning inward, self-care, and rejuvenation, or the Summer Solstice, a celebration of warmth, external light, and abundance, I invite you to pause, take time to connect with your heart’s true desires and share that presence with those you love.
Having spent the last month living and traveling through Japan, I have been deeply moved by the cultural principles of wa, kei, sei, jaku (harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility). These concepts are woven into the very fabric of Japanese life, and they have inspired me to begin manifesting a Japan Yoga Retreat.
What I find most beautiful about these Japanese principles is how deeply they mirror the Yoga Yamas and Niyamas that we study and practice on our mats. They are different words for the same universal truths.
Photo: traditional entry tickets from a temple visit in Kyoto, Japan - a reminders of the sacred transitions we experience in every season.
Wa (Harmony) and Ahimsa / Santosha - Just as Ahimsa (non-violence) asks us to live in harmony with all beings, Wa encourages us to find a peaceful balance between our internal world and the community around us.
Kei (Respect) and Asteya - Kei is a deep reverence for all things. In yoga, this relates to Asteya (non-stealing), respecting the time, energy, and boundaries of others and ourselves.
Sei (Purity) and Saucha - Sei is the Japanese concept of cleanliness and order, mirroring Saucha (purity of body, mind, and environment), which allows our energy to flow freely.
Jaku (Tranquility) and Samadhi / Santosha - Jaku is the stillness that comes after practicing the first three. It is that post-savasana state of bliss and contentment (Santosha) where the mind is quiet and the heart is open.
Whether you are entering the Winter phase of rest or the Summer phase of expansion, the principles of wa, kei, sei, and jaku offer a beautiful compass, much like the Yamas and Niyamas do in our yoga practice.
On this Solstice, I invite you to contemplate how you may draw on these aspects of Zen and Yoga to enhance your own life during this busy holiday season.
Where can you create more Harmony (Wa)? Amidst the holiday bustle, how can you practice Ahimsa by setting gentle boundaries that protect your peace?
In what ways can you show more Respect (Kei)? Are you honoring your body's need for rest (Winter) or your drive to expand (Summer)?
How can you cultivate a greater sense of Purity (Sei)? As the New Year approaches, what negative thoughts can you release to make space for new intentions?
How will you invite more Tranquility (Jaku) into your world? Can you find a moment of Santosha, true contentment, whether you are embracing the darkness of the shortest night or the light of the longest day?
Take time to breathe into these reflections. These ways of being come so naturally to the culture here in Japan, and they are the very essence of the journey we will take together on our upcoming Japan Yoga Retreat - more details coming soon!
I hope this inspires you to enjoy the Solstice and Holiday Season with so much love, peace, and joy and I look forward to retreating with you in the new year!
The symbol in the picture above is "Ai" which means Love. I painted this during a Calligraphy class in Kyoto, Japan. Sending much love to you for a beautiful Solstice, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! Namaste.
If you have any questions or feedback on this article, feel free to contact us. We'd love to hear from you!
Author: Sally Mitchell, founder of Body Flows Yoga Retreats and E-RYT200 Yoga Teacher leads yoga retreats in stunning global locations. Based in beautiful Sonoma wine country, California, after 15 years in NYC and San Francisco, her approach as a leader and teacher is holistic, balanced and grounded. She enjoys studying and practicing Yoga and Buddhism, hiking and trail running in nature, traveling, writing and inspiring others to live a more spiritual and meaningful life.
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