The Deep Yin of Winter – Rest In The Wisdom of Water

posted in: Yin Yoga Podcast 4

Embracing the Yin of Winter

As winter arrives, I find myself reflecting on what this season truly means. In this episode, I wanted to do something a little different, inviting you to slow down with me, to rest, and to explore the wisdom that winter and the water element offer us through the lens of Chinese medicine, poetry, and personal reflection.

 

The Wisdom of Water and Chinese Medicine

Winter is the most Yin time of the year. It is a season of stillness, depth, and wisdom. In Chinese medicine, winter is connected to the water element and to the kidney and urinary bladder meridians. This is a time for introspection and introversion, for storing and preserving energy, just as nature does beneath the frozen surface.

 

Poetry and Reflection

I shared several poems in the episode, including one that beautifully captures the feeling of December as a season of dreaming and rest. Those are named and linked to the author below.

 

Reclaiming Rest in a Busy World

Our culture often encourages us to push through the stillness of winter, to keep producing and socializing, especially during the holidays. But I believe we need to reclaim rest as a vital part of our natural balance. Before electricity, our ancestors would have spent more time by candlelight, gone to bed earlier, and allowed themselves to move more slowly. When we ignore these natural cycles, we risk burnout and illness.

 

Reflection Questions and Journal Prompts

I offered some reflection questions and journal prompts in the episode, such as:

  • What would it feel like to rest without guilt?
  • Where in my life am I being called to slow down?
  • What rhythms or rituals could help me align with the slower pace of winter?

These questions help me tune into my own needs and honour the Yin energy of the season.

 

The Gift of Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is one of my favourite practices for winter. The long holds, the dim lights, and the quiet allow me to connect with my inner stillness. I also love slow mornings and eating nourishing foods like black beans, miso, and seaweed. Wearing scarves and prioritizing warmth are small but meaningful ways I care for myself during this time.

Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions

I think it’s past time we give up the pressure of New Year’s resolutions. Winter is not the ideal time for establishing new habits or making significant changes. Instead, I use this season to dream, envision, and rest, saving the energy for planting new seeds in the spring.

Honouring the Darkness and the Light

As the solstice arrives (my birthday), I am reminded of the beauty and necessity of darkness. The darkness of winter is not something to rush through, but a space for transformation, growth, and deep nourishment. I encourage you to honour both the darkness and the returning light, and to give yourself permission to rest.

 

00:00 – Introduction & What to Expect
02:08 – The Wisdom of Winter in Chinese Medicine
05:29 – First Poem: December and the Season of Dreaming
08:11 – The Alchemy of Fear and Water (Jalil Giran Poem)
12:50 – Reclaiming Rest and the Importance of Stillness
16:31 – Reflection Questions and Journal Prompts
21:58 – The Solstice, Darkness, and Light
32:16 – Closing Thoughts & Invitation to Share

The Deep Yin of Winter, Rest In The Wisdom of Water – Listen

The Deep Yin of Winter, Rest In The Wisdom of Water – Watch

 

The Deep Yin of Winter, Rest In The Wisdom of Water – Read

The Deep Yin of Winter – REST IN THE Wisdom of water

[0s] Hi, YIs. Today’s episode is gonna be a little different than what I have done in the past, and so if you are driving or if you’d like to listen to this while you clean your house or walk around guilty of those myself, this might not be the one to do that with, or at least download it and come back to it after you’ve had a chance to listen, because we are going to have some reflection questions.

[25.47s] Some journal prompts and a whole bunch of seasonal poetry, as well as some of the wisdom of Chinese medicine and what it tells us about winter and rest. That’s coming up. Stay tuned.

[42.85s] Welcome. In this episode, we are gonna talk about the wisdom of winter through the lens of Chinese medicine, winter being this season that invites in rest, introspection, and introversion. You’re also gonna get some poetry, some reflection questions, some journal prompts, and you’re even gonna get a link to some music I recently discovered on YouTube that I absolutely love, love, love for winter.

[73.85s] Before we dive into today’s topic, which is gonna be a soulful one, I’ve done other hosts and blogs and episodes on winter, and so when we’re at the point in the season where I’m gonna do my little sort of winter. Podcast episode, before the break. It’s always tough for me to be like, Hmm, what haven’t I said?

[98.76s] What could I do? How could I keep this fresh?, I think we got some good stuff for you. Before we get into that, dear friends, if you have not yet gotten on the wait list for my training and you love the idea of studying with me, if my point of view resonates with you, if you’ve been getting a lot out of these podcasts, you should definitely join the wait list.

[118.06s] You can do so by clicking the link in the episode notes that says, join the wait list. And then if you look way up to the top or way down to the bottom, there’s opportunities there for you to click a button and add your name and email. Or if you just hang out for a minute, a little polite popup is gonna slide in from the side and that’s gonna,, give you an opportunity to join

[136.90s] people on the wait list get all kinds of goodness from me, including these episodes, videos, other things. , And they get the first crack at registration once it opens, and a discount code at this time of this recording. So that may change, of course, if you’re listening to this way off in the future. And even if you don’t wanna hit the next round, if my training is on your wishlist, get on the wait list so I can start sending you free stuff until you’re ready.

[165.04s] Okay, my friends, the other thing I wanted to read is review. , This is just says by resident az, so someone in Arizona, I’m guessing. I’m always excited when a new podcast episode drops. I love how the host that be me, shines a light on complex topics and isn’t afraid to dive deep. The conversations are always engaging and the guests bring such valuable insights.

[192.77s] Huge fan over here. I truly appreciate all the thought provoking content. Thank you resident az. , That is really good feedback for me to hear.

[206.84s] It’s so nice to read those because it helps me to know that I’m not just talking into the void. And if you’ve been a regular listener for a while and you have not yet offered a review, I’d be super grateful if you would give this podcast five stars, whether you’re on Apple or Spotify. On Apple, you can also leave a written review, which would be super swell.

[226.12s] On Spotify, you can leave comments under an episode. So if you wanna, , get at me, you could do it there. Now, if you’re not listening on Apple or Spotify, you feel free to just send me a DM on Instagram letting me know what you think of the pod. If you have topic ideas, please let me know. Okay, let’s, Sally Fourth shall we Also, a reminder, I have the soul of a mermaid and the mouth of a sailor.

[249.27s] So if you have small people around, take a moment. To grab some headphones. Now I also wanna mention, I’m gonna be reading a lot of poems in this episode, , I will link all of the poets , in the show notes so you don’t have to panic. That can’t find the author. If I can find a link online to the exact poem on the author’s website, I’ll do it that way, but if not, I will include the name of the poem and the author’s name and a link so that you can find these later.

[…] [1984.25s] I hope that you have a beautiful remainder of the year. We will be on a little podcast break until January. Don’t know the exact date, but stay tuned. And until we meet again, bye for now.

 

Share Your Winter Reflections

Thank you for joining me in this reflection. I would love to hear how winter is showing up in your life this year. Are you finding ways to rest and embrace the Yin of the season? Let me know in the comments or reach out on Instagram or Spotify. Wishing you a peaceful, restorative winter.

 

Also mentioned in this episode:

Poems:

December By Emory Hall

Fear by Kahlil Gibran

Blessing for one who is exhausted by John O’Donohue

Holy Daze by Caiyam (Cain) Carrol 

My previous Mini Workshop, Yin Yoga for Winter

My current favourite music for Winter Yin

Previous Winter Podcasts: You are Wintering

Settling into Stillness: Taoist Winter Wisdom for Yin Yoga

 

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4 Responses

  1. Gina Hermansen
    | Reply

    As always. I loved each podcast. Thank you for sharing. I love the poems and you do a beautiful job reciting them in such a soothing calm voice
    You inspire me with every podcast

    • nyk.danu
      | Reply

      Thank you Gina 🙂

  2. Wendy
    | Reply

    Hi Nyk.
    I just tipped you a cup of coffee in gratitude for this ‘Deep Yin of Winter’ podcast. I will listen to this again and again. And thanks for introducing me to John O’Donohue’s poetry!
    Thank you! xo
    Metta,
    Wendy

    • nyk.danu
      | Reply

      Thank you very Much!

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