Summer Solstice and Intl. Yoga Day!

This year in the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs on June 21, which aligns perfectly with the International Day of Yoga that was proclaimed by the United Nations in 2014, by a proposal from Narendra Modi. June 21 was chosen because it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and holds special significance in yogic traditions.

2026 marks the 12th International Day of Yoga with the theme “ Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, which emphasizes the importance of Yoga for all ages.

For thousands of years, cultures around the world have celebrated this turning point in nature's cycle—a moment when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky before beginning its gradual return. In yogic traditions the solstice has long been regarded as a time of heightened awareness, balance, and transformation. Across the world, millions of people unroll their mats and turn inward, if only for a few moments.

I started my yoga journey 16 years ago and have never regretted it. It's not that yoga removes all your "problems"; in fact, the yogic path is quite demanding and requires deep trust. Through yoga, you learn to handle and live your life in a more balanced way.

"Yoga is skill in Action" - the Bhagavad Gita

Glen Nevis Tea Plantation & Jade Villas April 2026.

Back in the day, I was drawn to yoga mainly because of its physical and health-related benefits, and they are truly there; it's the benefits or results of a yoga practice that "work." But what I have come to appreciate more and more is the quiet power yoga has that makes me return to myself, one breath at a time.

Beatles Ashram, India, 2017.

I recommend always seeking out and learning from good teachers who will illuminate the path and help you tap into your inner guidance. Yet the strongest gift and most benefits, from my personal experience, you will find in maintaining a personal practice at home, in solitude and silence. No comparison. No performance. No audience. Just your breath, your body, and the infinite present moment.

Me and my lovely horse Max, ca 2018.

True transformation rarely arrives in giant leaps. More often, it unfolds through small, baby steps done daily, consistently, over a long time. One breath. One posture. One moment of stillness. Then another. Over time, these small acts begin to align us more closely with who we truly are beneath the noise and expectations of daily life.

A solitary practice also creates space to hear our own inner voice. Some call it intuition. Others call it wisdom, the soul, the Dao, the Divine, or simply life's deeper intelligence. The name matters less than the experience.

Light pattern reflected on our bedroom wall on June 19th 2026.

This morning, a simple thought arose during my yoga practice: I felt a conviction that the Dao, the Divine, the Ultimate Life Force—whatever name we choose—is circular. Round. Infinite because of this. Without beginning or end. It does not stretch endlessly in a straight line; instead, it continuously returns to itself. Like the seasons. Like the breath. Like the waves returning to the ocean.

On this solstice, may we remember that growth does not require force. As someone said on Insight Timer the other day: "Do not try harder—try softer!" Stepping back, relaxing, and taking another full breath is often enough to bring us a little closer to a more aligned version of ourselves. Namaste and keep on practicing yoga! Life is much harder without it, and you are never too old, and it's never too late!

Downward facing dog feels great!

Please read this article on why I believe it's time for a game change in our tea cups, especially in the Northern Hemisphere!

Tri-kon-asana, three angled pose, Sri Lanka 2026.