Let It Snow!

By Jennifer Kelleher

There is something undeniably magical about the first snow of the season. This past Sunday morning, we woke to our town quietly transformed– rooftops softened, sidewalks hushed, and the familiar suddenly luminous. The world felt paused, as if nature herself had gently placed a hand over everything and whispered, “slow down.” Even if just for a moment, the snow invites us into awe. It reminds us that change doesn’t always arrive with force. Sometimes it comes softly, covering what was and offering us a clean, white beginning.

As we move deeper into winter, the season asks something very different of us than summer or even fall. Winter is not about expansion or productivity. It is about conservation, reflection, and rest. In Ayurveda, winter is governed primarily by Vata and Kapha– qualities of cold, dryness, heaviness, and stillness. Traditional Chinese Medicine mirrors this wisdom, associating winter with the Water element, the kidneys, and the deep reserves of our life force energy, known as ‘jing.’ Both systems teach that this is the time to turn inward, protect our energy, and nourish what sustains us long-term.

Yet, modern life doesn’t always honor this rhythm. The calendar fills quickly. Expectations rise. We’re told to push through the darkness with the same intensity we brought to longer, brighter days. No wonder so many of us feel more tired, more emotional, or a little unmotivated this time of year. Winter can bring introspection, but it can also stir feelings of melancholy, anxiety, or restlessness if we resist its call to slow down.

Energetically, winter invites us into depth. Our bodies crave warmth, both literally and figuratively. Warm foods, grounding practices, and steady routines help soothe the nervous system and support immunity. Emotionally, winter asks for honesty. It shines a light on what has been stored beneath the surface all year. This isn’t something to fear. In fact, it can be incredibly healing. When we allow ourselves to feel rather than distract, we create space for clarity and renewal.

Spiritually, winter is sacred. It is the season of listening, of dreaming quietly, and of restoring faith not through action, but through presence. Just as seeds rest beneath frozen ground, gathering strength for spring, we too are being prepared for what will come next. Nothing in nature rushes this process. There is wisdom in trusting the pause.

This doesn’t mean we stop moving altogether. Instead, winter encourages intentional movement– gentler practices, mindful breath, moments of stillness balanced with strength and circulation. It’s about doing less, but with more awareness. It’s about choosing quality over quantity, depth over speed.

As the snow continues to melt and the days remain short, I invite you to honor this season rather than fight it. Light a candle in the early evening. Sip something warm. Go to bed a little earlier. Let yourself be human instead of hyper-productive. There is magic here, if we’re willing to meet it.

Winter is not something to endure. It is something to be experienced– fully, consciously, and with reverence. And like that quiet snowfall on Sunday morning, it may just leave you feeling a little more connected to yourself, to your community, and to the natural rhythm we’re all a part of.

If you’d like support moving through the winter season with intention, presence, and care, I invite you to join me at Ocean Bliss Yoga. Our classes and workshops are designed to support the body, calm the mind, and nourish the spirit. Join us on January 21, 2026 for a special workshop called, “Winter Cocoon: A Night Of Deep Rest, Renewal, & Intention.” Sign up available soon, stay tuned! You can sign up for any of our offerings at oceanblissyoga.net, and feel free to call or text me with any questions at 917-318-1168. I’d love to practice with you!