Rather than continue with resistance toward challenges, create safe space for yourself during this special class with Rachel to tend to your emotional body, to meditate, to journal, and to let your heart have a chance to speak truth so that you may ultimately find a place of self-acceptance deep within. This grounding summer solstice ceremony honors the longest day of the year and gives you an opportunity to set clear intentions for the lunar cycle ahead.

After calling upon the Four Directions and pulling an oracle card for inspiration, you'll journal on gratitude and emotional wounds. Connect to the heart, ground your body, and balance your mind-body connection using Alternate Nostril Breath (Nadi Shodhana Pranayama), gentle movement for the spine and hips, and self-massage for the neck and shoulders. Transition to tabletop for a few rounds of Cat/Cow (Marjaryasana/Bitilasana) to open up the heartspace and spine, then lift up into Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). Continue with Low Lunge Pose (Anjaneyasana), hip-opening in Double Pigeon/Firelog Pose (Agnistambhasana), and then lengthen the hamstrings with Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana). Close out your practice one more round of journaling to connect to the needs of the heart as you move into the next lunar cycle.

For this class, you will need a journal and pen. Also, a blanket, chair, and 1-2 blocks (or homemade substitutes) are optional for additional length and support.

For the ceremony portion, you can bring along any pieces that represent the 4 main elements (Earth, Fire, Air, Water), such as crystals, gems, a candle, incense or other smudging items, essential oils, and a small bowl of water.

Spotify class playlist is here. Rachel starts the playlist at 2:34, but you can play it from the beginning if you wish.

Journaling prompts:

"Right now I am grateful for..."

"An old wound that is calling for healing right now is..." -OR- "An old wound that needs healing right now is...

After asana:

"To support my heart this moon cycle, I will focus on..."

Then, write out a prayer for yourself and your own healing, a prayer for someone else, and a prayer for humanity and the collective. Take your prayers and go outside under the night sky or new moon to speak them aloud and send them out into the universe.

Oracle card decks used in this class are The Wild Unknown Archetypes and The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck, both by Kim Krans.