5 Yoga Class Themes For The Summer Solstice (Beyond 108 Sun Salutations)

June 21 is not just the longest day of the year; it’s a time for celebration and gratitude. The summer solstice brings peak sunlight, warmth, and vitality, and for us yogis, it carries extra significance, as it’s also International Yoga Day.

Together, these two observances present an ideal opportunity to create meaningful themed offerings. From planning community events and workshops to adding seasonal touches to your weekly classes, here’s how to celebrate the summer solstice with your yogis.

Why Is The Summer Solstice So Important In Yoga?

Yoga teaches us to live in harmony with the cyclical rhythms of nature as the changing seasons affect our bodies, minds, and energy levels. Summer is the season where the yang energy is at its highest, and so, this season is associated with growth, vitality, awakening, and inner radiance.

The summer solstice (June 21) is the longest day of the year, bringing maximum daylight. Because of this, yogic traditions mark the summer solstice as a time to honour the sun and express gratitude for the life, health, and energy it gives.

Summer Solstice And International Yoga Day

It’s no coincidence that International Yoga Day falls on June 21. Established by the United Nations in 2014, the date was intentionally chosen for its spiritual significance with the summer solstice.

Combining these two dates gives International Yoga Day a deeper meaning. It’s not just about celebrating the benefits of yoga, but honouring the harmony between humanity and nature.

Theming Your Yoga Classes Around The Summer Solstice

Here are some class and workshop ideas that tie in perfectly with the yang energy of the summer solstice. These can be taught throughout the summer, not just on June 21.

1. 108 Sun Salutations Events

On June 21, you can find ‘108 sun salutations yoga classes’ everywhere. It’s the most traditional and significant way to celebrate International Yoga Day, as Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) were designed to honour the life-giving energy of the sun. 

The number 108 is also deeply significant. In yogic tradition, the number 108 is associated with spiritual completion and connection to the divine. Completing 108 sun salutations is not just a moving meditation that cultivates focus, clarity, and reflection, but a way to mark a transition or new beginning. 

When done in group sessions, the experience often becomes deeply emotional and powerful. Many yogis experience personal breakthroughs or gain a deeper understanding through this physical and mental challenge. 

Theming tips:

Because it takes longer than 1 hour to complete all 108 rounds of Surya Namaskar, this theme works well as a special 2-hour community event. 

Consider running this event early in the morning, as Surya Namaskar is traditionally done at sunrise. If that’s not possible, it also works well at sunset.

As the flow is invigorating and demanding, end the session with something calming, such as sound healing or yoga nidra.

Incorporating journaling or intention setting afterwards can also make the experience feel more complete.

2. Park Yoga & Picnic Sessions

The summer solstice (and the entire summer season) is the perfect excuse to move your classes outside. Practising yoga in nature deepens our connection to summer’s yang energy while creating a yoga experience that feels extra special and memorable. 

Park yoga, in particular, is a fantastic way to find new students, as it often attracts people passing by who wouldn’t usually go to a yoga studio. 

Moreover, outdoor yoga tends to have a more relaxed and communal atmosphere than studio settings. That’s why it can be a wonderful idea to expand a normal outdoor yoga session into an extended community event or half-day retreat. 

Theming tips:

Create a yoga-and-picnic event by bringing a selection of picnic foods. It’s not only more lucrative than a standard yoga class, but it fosters deeper connection too.

Collaborate with a local café to host a yoga-and-brunch morning and encourage your students to bring a friend. Momoyoga is currently building a feature to allow multiple tickets per yogi, which makes this idea logistically easy.

3. Fire Element Yin Workshops

If you’re a Yin Yoga teacher, why not create a meridian-themed workshop around the Summer Solstice? 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer is associated with the fire element, as well as the heart and small intestine meridians. Energetically, this season is linked to joy, connection, openness, and emotional expression. 

By working with the season’s elements and meridians, you can help your students align with the current season. Yoga postures targeting the associated meridians and elements increase vitality and life force by releasing blockages or stagnation in the energy channels. 

Theming tips:

Include yin postures that open the chest and upper body, such as Melting Heart, Bananasana, Reclined Twist, and Open Wing Pose.

Incorporate the theme of joy through laughter yoga or gratitude practice.

Give journaling prompts on self-love, purpose, and emotional expression.

4. Solar Plexus Chakra Yoga

The fiery yang energy of the solar plexus chakra (manipura) is associated with the summer months. Moreover, as summer is a time for growth, expansion, and taking action, theming your classes and workshops around this chakra is ideal.

In yoga philosophy, strengthening the solar plexus chakra is said to boost confidence, motivation, and personal power. So teaching asanas, pranayama, and meditations themed around the solar plexus can help your students ignite their inner fire to take action and chase their dreams this summer.

Theming tips:

Create self-empowerment workshops or day retreats that include solar plexus chakra yoga, visualisation meditations, positive affirmations, and goal-setting. 

Include core-strengthening sequences, energizing flows, or work on mastering challenging postures, such as the crow pose.

Incorporate fiery breathwork practices such as Kapalabhati.

5. Pitta-Balancing Restorative Yoga 

As a yoga teacher, it’s important to realise that during the hotter months, many people seek ways to cool down rather than generate further internal heat. Moreover, some of your yogis may be feeling overwhelmed by the intensity and busyness that summer brings.

That’s why it can be an excellent idea to offer more calming, cooling classes around the summer solstice. 

Restorative yoga balances the fiery, outward-focused yang energy of summer. It also calms the nervous system and encourages deeper rest, giving students a space to slow down amidst this active season.

Theming tips:

Include cooling and calming pranayama practices, such as Sitali (curled-tongue breath), and long exhalations (4-8 breathing).

Teach calming asanas such as Child's Pose, Seated Forward Fold, and Legs Up The Wall. 

Schedule sessions around sunset when the heat of the day has passed.

Create “Summer Reset” workshops focused on nervous system regulation and rest. This could include restorative yoga, yoga Nidra, and breathwork.

Final Thoughts

I hope this article has helped you find some inspiration for summer solstice yoga class and workshop themes. 

Summer brings a vibrancy unlike any other season, making it the perfect time to harness this energy and create transformative experiences for your yogis. But as always, choose the offerings that feel most authentic to your teaching style and genuinely supportive for your students.