Winter, with its shorter days and quieter energy, is often seen as a time to endure rather than embrace. Yet, as Katherine May beautifully explores in her book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, this season invites us to pause, reflect, and nurture ourselves in ways that are vital for our well-being. This philosophy, deeply aligned with practices like yoga and Pilates, offers a roadmap for embracing the art of wintering—a practice of slowing down and cultivating resilience.
What Is Wintering?
In Wintering, May describes wintering as a metaphorical and literal season of life—a time when we may face challenges, retreat inward, or simply adjust to a slower pace. Rather than resisting these moments, she suggests we accept them as opportunities for transformation. “Wintering,” she writes, “is a time for reflection and recuperation, for slow replenishment, for putting your house in order.”
This concept resonates deeply with the rhythms of nature. Just as trees shed their leaves and animals hibernate to conserve energy, we too need periods of rest to prepare for growth and renewal. Wintering teaches us to honor these cycles, to embrace stillness as a foundation for flourishing.
Why Wintering Is Essential
Research in psychology and neuroscience supports the benefits of rest and reflection, particularly during stressful times. Studies have shown that restorative practices like mindfulness, meditation, and gentle movement reduce cortisol levels, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall well-being. By intentionally slowing down, we create space for healing and self-discovery.
In modern life, however, we often resist this pull toward stillness, prioritizing productivity over rest. This resistance can lead to burnout, stress, and a disconnection from our inner selves. Wintering reminds us to listen to our bodies and minds, to nurture rather than push through.
How Yoga and Pilates Support Wintering
Practices like yoga and Pilates align perfectly with the principles of wintering, offering tools to ground, restore, and strengthen us during challenging or reflective times:
• Yoga provides a sanctuary for stillness and mindfulness. Practices like restorative yin yoga encourage deep relaxation, holding postures for extended periods to release tension and create space for introspection. Similarly, yoga Nidra—known as “yogic sleep”—guides you into a profound state of rest, allowing the body to heal and the mind to quiet.
• Pilates, with its emphasis on mindful movement and core strength, can help us reconnect with our bodies in gentle and empowering ways. Its focus on breath and alignment makes it a powerful tool for grounding and self-awareness, supporting both physical and mental balance.
Through these practices, we cultivate the resilience and inner calm needed to navigate life’s winters, both literal and metaphorical.
Wintering and the Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, offers a powerful moment to reflect on the themes of wintering. Celebrated for centuries as a time of stillness and renewal, the solstice invites us to honor the darkness while holding space for the light’s return.
On December 22nd, I will be hosting The Art of Wintering: A Time for Rest and Reflection, a mini yoga retreat designed to help you embrace this seasonal pause. Taking place from 2pm to 5pm, this special event will include restorative yin yoga, yoga Nidra, and a soothing gong bath to nurture deep rest and renewal. With herbal teas and nourishing snacks, it’s a chance to wrap up the year with intention and care.
Lessons from Wintering
May’s reflections in Wintering remind us that these quieter seasons are not times of failure but opportunities to slow down and rebuild. She writes, “When you stop and rest properly, you are able to bring your whole self to the things that matter.” This wisdom encourages us to see winter not as something to endure but as a necessary part of life’s rhythm.
By embracing the art of wintering, we give ourselves permission to let go of perfectionism, honor our needs, and move into the new year with a sense of balance and renewal.
Embrace the Art of Wintering
This winter, I invite you to explore what it means to truly rest and reflect. Whether through yoga, Pilates, or simply curling up with a cup of tea and a good book, take time to nurture yourself.
If you’d like to experience the transformative power of wintering firsthand, join me on December 22nd for The Art of Wintering: A Time for Rest and Reflection. Together, let’s honor the season, the solstice, and the beauty of rest.