Theme of the Month – Peace
3rd December 2025
As the year draws to a close and December’s celebrations fill our calendars, peace can feel like something we have to chase rather than something we already hold within. Between festive gatherings, travel, family commitments, and the general noise of the season, it’s easy to lose touch with the quiet steadiness that practice can bring.
Yet in the midst of winter’s stillness lies an invitation to slow down, to soften, and to return to balance. This month at Iyengar Yoga (UK), our theme is Peace both as a feeling to cultivate and as a practice to live.
The Winter Solstice – A Turning Toward the Light
As December reaches its darkest point, the Winter Solstice marks a natural pause, an invitation to slow down and turn inward. In Iyengar Yoga, this aligns beautifully with restorative practice, where the body is carefully propped and the breath becomes a quiet, steady guide.
Restorative yoga practice mirrors the energy of the solstice: a soft return to ourselves, a quiet gathering of strength, and a recognition that even in darkness there is renewal. As the light slowly returns after the solstice, let these moments of supported rest remind you that peace isn’t something we have to force; it grows naturally when we give ourselves permission to be still. We have suggested three practices below.
Please note that the sequences below are recommended to be done only under the supervision of a suitably qualified Iyengar yoga teacher after consultation with your medical practitioner.
As general Iyengar Yoga teachers, we are able to assist with general aches and pains in class, but we also have more senior teachers who have therapy training and are able to deal with more complex injuries. If you would like to find a local Iyengar yoga teacher you can search here.
Finding Stillness in a Busy Season
“Yoga allows you to find an inner peace that is not ruffled and riled by the endless stresses and struggles of life” BKS Iyengar
The weeks leading up to the end of the year often pull us outwards towards activity, connection, and giving. These are joyful, but they can also be exhausting. Iyengar Yoga offers a way to return inward and restore energy through steady, supported practice.
Restorative work encourages the body to release effort and drop into deep rest. With the spine supported, the chest gently lifted, and the head resting, the nervous system shifts from alertness to calm. Even a short restorative practice can create a sense of spaciousness, helping us feel grounded rather than overwhelmed.
We held a special Yoga space session on Restorative yoga, which you can catch up with here In this extract from a recent Yoga Space members’ discussion, Iyengar yoga teachers Gerda Bayliss (Leeds), Helen Clay (Sheffield), and Alaric Newcombe (London) talk about what restorative yoga means to them, and offer insights into practice.
Yoga Space is a regular Iyengar Yoga (UK) members’ meet-up on Zoom where we share yoga ideas and information.
Read our blog post on Restorative Yoga here
We recommend this sequence from the book Yoga The Path to Holistic Health written by B.K.S.Iyengar.
Mental Fatigue
This sequence has been illustrated by Svejar.
Yoga for Anxiety and Calm
December can be emotionally charged. Full of joy for some, and pressure or loneliness for others. Iyengar Yoga offers practical tools for steadying the mind: grounding, supported postures, quiet breathing, and deliberate rest. These calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of inner spaciousness.
Practised with guidance from a qualified Iyengar Yoga teacher, these sequences cultivate clarity and emotional balance, helping us navigate the season with compassion and steadiness.
Sequence for Anxiety
This can be found in “Yoga The Path to Holistic Health” written by B.K.S.Iyengar.
This sequence has been illustrated by Svejar
Emotional stability sequence
A sequence by BKS Iyengar which you can find at the back of Light on Life.
If practised regularly and under guidance, the Asanas for Emotional Stability offer a potent path to greater mental calm and long-term emotional wellbeing.
Alaric has written a blog post on the emotional stability sequence which you can read here >
Inviting Peace Inward and Outward
December’s theme of peace is beautifully reflected in one of yoga’s most familiar recitations: the Shanti Mantra. You may hear this chanted at the start or end of Iyengar Yoga classes, especially during quieter, contemplative times of year.
Shanti Mantra – very pertinent to IY(UK)
Oṃ saha nāv avatu
saha nau bhunaktu
saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai
tejasvi nāv adhītam astu
mā vidviṣāvahai |
Oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
May God protect us together
May God nourish us together
May we work together with great energy for the good of humanity
May our knowledge be full of light
May there never be misunderstanding or conflict between us nor enmity for any other
Om
Let there be peace within, peace in our environment and peace in the forces that act upon us
Repeating shanti three times carries a deep meaning:
- Peace within ourselves — quieting the mind and softening inner tension.
- Peace in our surroundings — ease in our relationships and environment.
- Peace beyond our control — acceptance of the larger forces that shape our lives.
May this December bring you moments of deep, steadying shanti in your practice, your home, and your heart.
Teachers: Get Involved
If you are a teacher and would like to take part, we’d love to hear from you. Throughout December, you can:
- Share photos or videos of your own practice with the peace in mind on social media, tagging @iyengaryoga_uk
- Contribute your reflections, teaching notes, or short articles on the knees by emailing us at content@iyengaryoga.uk.org
Together, we can build a rich collection of knowledge, inspiration, and practical resources for supporting students and teachers alike.
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