Summer Solstice Celebration

This year Father’s Day is June 20th, the day before the Summer Solstice.  The Summer Solstice, also known as Midsummer, and by many other names, marks the official beginning of summer.  On the Summer Solstice daytime lasts longer than it does at any other time of year, and night time is at its shortest.  Today is International Peace Prayer Day (activities can be adapted from this site http://www.3ho.org/get-involved/summer-solstice/solstice-experience/peace-prayer-day/) one of many festivities and traditions in various cultures around the world coinciding with Summer Solstice and 3HO.org has one of longest lasting Summer Solstice Celebrations around.

Every year 3HO, the foundation of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan have several events, one of the biggest being the Summer Solstice Sadhana Celebration. I have never seen a happier, more committed bunch of father’s than Kundalini Yogis.  Kundalini Yoga is intended for “householders” and the community aspect is great for the whole family.  If you’re looking for an inclusive, comprehensive, holistic approach to giving a gift for Father’s Day, consider taking the Father in your life to the Summer Solstice Sadhana Celebration.

The celebration is ten days long, and takes place in Espanola, New Mexico, the site of the 3HO foundation headquarters.   You can attend all ten days or pay by the day.  If you can’t make it to New Mexico for any part of the celebration, maybe taking the kid’s to the Youth camp the following week(June 28-July 10) and/or attending the Women’s Camp(June 27-July 4) would give you a summer break that benefits the family.

You can camp, rent a space in an onsite cabin or get a hotel in the town of Espanola.  Children 3 and under are free.  There is a wide-range of events, classes, entertainment and adventure to be had during the celebration.  Overall, it is a great place to rejuvenate, challenge and achieve spiritual balance in a very enthusiastic, active and supportive environment and community.

If you are completely new to Kundalini Yoga, check out the website and all the information on the Summer Solstice event before heading out.  You will want to pay special attention to understanding what White Tantra Yoga is (http://www.3ho.org/get-involved/summer-solstice/solstice-experience/white-tantric-yoga/) and what will be involved and expected on those days and others.  The celebration is completely eco-friendly and requires participants to be eco-aware and responsible by bringing their own non-disposable eating utensils and serving ware.

I think the synchronicity of Father’s Day and the Summer Solstice celebration is one to note.  Kundalini Yoga can be especially empowering, centering and brings the continuity of life into focus.  This would be a great gift for any father or father-to-be to attend this celebration, especially if he is a seeker and searcher of personal development and wellness solutions for himself.  If he needs a community of strong, energetic, enthusiastic and well-rounded men to link with the 3HO Kundalini Yoga community is a great place to find that.  The Summer Solstice celebration would be a great place for anyone, regardless of gender, age, or any other status, to have fun, gain peace, empowering techniques, comraderie and equality in a wholly nourishing and stimulating environment.

If you can’t make it to this Summer Solstice, the Winter Solstice during December in Florida.  There are many other Kundalini Yoga events and Summer Solstice events, including many of the yogic variety worth searching for online and in your local area.

There will be plenty of music, eco-friendly vendors, a poetry slam, healing and many other events and classes. Food is provided at the event and is in line with the yogic diet and lifestyle prescribed by Yogi Bhajan.  Experienced Kundalini Yogis will recognize the meals provided, all is vegetarian or vegan. Dairy for vegetarians is provided upon request with certain meals and special diets can be accommodated or you can spend time doing karma yoga in the kitchen if you want to make your own food.  Yogi Tea is also provided twice daily at the events.

If you attend this event or participate in the 3HO global community, by adapting Kundalini Yoga exercises, meditations or chanting into an event of your own, you’ll have a great Summer Solstice and come back with years worth of memories, excitement and enrichment.  You’ll likely want to give the gift to yourself and others in your life as many times as you can.  This celebration is a great way to experience the authentic yogic lifestyle.