Reunion, Solstice, Yoga, Father Sun
Jun 21, 2026
I am still on cloud 9 from the amazing, first ever Vitality Circle Reunion that happened last weekend in Floyd, VA. Women came in from all over the country to celebrate 8 years of Vitality Circle and reconnect with themselves and each other. Having the habits of Ayurveda and the experience of being in the Vitality Circle as a common foundation allowed everyone to show up at a deep level right off the bat, even if they were in Vitality Circle years apart. We shared memories, played Vitality Circle trivia, sang, danced, practiced yoga, ate wonderful meals, and several members shared their passions and skills with the group.
I am so grateful and humbled by this community that has rallied around what brings me alive. We will do it again in October 2027.
And now Summer is upon us!
Today is a very auspicious and powerful day: The Summer Solstice. The day when the most amount of daylight is present in the northern hemisphere and the most amount of dark is present in the southern hemisphere.
I encourage you to honor this day in some way. Here is one simple way of recognizing this turning point of the pendulum swing of the solar year that I came across recently, and really love:
Place your hand on your heart and say:
“I honor the light within me.
I celebrate how far I’ve come.
I release what dims my spirit.
I welcome joy, courage, and abundance.”
Take three deep breaths.
Lift your face to the sky.
And remember—
You are nature.
You are cyclical.
You are meant to bloom in this season!
Not only is today the Solstice, it is also Father's Day! Sending big gratitude to all the Father's out there who share a healthy expression of the masculine to support growth, abundance, and action-taking.
I am personally grateful for my father, Rob Levin, and my life partner David Grimsley.
Not only is today the Summer Solstice and Father's Day, it is also the International Day of Yoga! In honor of the gift of yoga in our lives and how it supports our wellbeing on every level, I want to remind you that you can access yoga classes with me anytime you want on my YouTube Channel where you can find my seasonal playlists of classes, or join me live in my Facebook Group every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7am ET.
Here is a poem I read at the Summer Solstice online retreat I led yesterday. I hope you enjoy it in celebration of this glorious day.
Summer Solstice Poem - Stan Phillips
This is for the longest day.
these are the long hours
sunfilled hours
with the day lasting as long as it ever will.
solstice day.
and the year is half way done.
with a sense of joy for the longest day,
coupled with the inevitable shortening of them and the wistfulness that is felt as a result.
but that is for tomorrow,
for as we watch the sun kiss the leaves to gold this day and the air replete with birdsong.
With the fragrance of outrageously enthusiastic flowers
hovering on the breeze.
to remind us of long holidays in endless summers of half forgotten childhood.
so cherish the day,
this one june day
that every year, touches a part of us
that lies hidden in our heritage.
to remind us of what it is to be a part of the planet.
to be human.
to be one with creation.
without really having to know the reason why.
May you be deeply nourished during these unprecedented times of change and transformation. Namaste.
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