Each season invites us to connect with the cycles of light that mark our planet, with the pulse of the universe and with our own vital rhythm, reminding us that life is a constant flow of creation, transformation and rest.

Our annual practice of 108 Sun Salutations guides us through these cycles of light, aligning body, mind, and spirit with the universal vibration. The number 108 is auspicious in the yoga tradition: it appears in sacred texts, cities, and monuments.

In this devotional practice, we integrate the energies that synchronise with each season: the pure consciousness of Shivay and the dynamic energy of Shakti. As Abhinavagupta’s Tantrāloka (10th–11th century) says:

Only when Shiva is united with Shakti does he have the power to manifest himself;

Without her, even God is unable to move.
Shiva without Shakti is inert stillness; Shakti without Shiva is meaningless chaos.

With these energies, the number 108 reappears: the 54 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet have a masculine form, Shiva, and a feminine form, Shakti, symbolising the union of energies and the totality of creation.

Cycles of light and seasons

Winter – The silence of Shiva
During the winter months, the qualities of Shiva become more apparent: introspection, pause and contemplation. It is a time to turn inward, nourish body and mind, and store the energy needed for the next cycle.

Spring – The Awakening of Shakti
With the arrival of spring, Shakti begins to rise, activating the body, the breath, and the desire to express ourselves in the world. The spring equinox invites us to honour both forces, without hierarchy, recognising that true transformation occurs when Shiva and Shakti meet in the centre of the heart.

Summer – The Fullness of Shakti
The summer solstice marks the point of maximum expansion of Shakti: energy unfolds with vitality, creativity and warmth. Shiva, in his silent consciousness, observes and sustains this manifestation, balancing the force of Shakti so that its movement is full and harmonious.

Autumn – The Return to Shiva
With the autumn equinox, Shakti begins her return to the silence of Shiva. Energy is sublimated, inviting us to let go, ground ourselves, and balance body and mind. It is a time of active introspection, where consciousness and energy synchronise to prepare for the next cycle.

Light cycles and Ayurveda

This year, we want to accompany the cycles of light and our energy by sharing a brunch at the end of the practice.

Each brunch will be aligned with the Ayurvedic doshas of each season, using local and seasonal ingredients that balance the body and prolong the effects of the practice:

Winter (Vata-Kapha): Warm, dense, and nutritious food; focus on maintaining internal warmth and vitality.

Spring (Kapha): Light, warm and stimulating food; helps to mobilise stagnant energy.

Summer (Pitta): Fresh, light and refreshing food; helps balance internal heat and intense vitality.

Autumn (Vata): Warm, moist, and nourishing food; ideal for grounding energy and balancing the lightness of the season.

The practice of 108 Sun Salutations throughout the cycles of light reminds us to synchronise our body, mind and spirit and that true harmony lies in embracing each moment of the cycle of life with presence, gratitude and fulfilment.