From the Mundane to the Sacred
The Power of Rituals
During the winter season, we sometimes find ourselves caught in a routine rut, going through the motions to check the basics off to-do lists while trying to maintain warmth and comfort by staying in. While routines are functional and effective for completing tasks, they can feel habitual, mundane, and uneventful. But, they don’t have to be - adding a layer of intentionality can elevate routine to ritual.
You might be wondering, “Well, how do I do that?”
Answer: Consider engaging your senses.
As we begin catching glimpses of spring, we might want to shake off the metaphorical (and maybe even literal) winter blanket. Spring is a wonderful invitation to engage the senses through nature’s offerings of beauty: seeing colorful flowers blossoming, hearing birds singing and chirping, feeling the warmth of the sun as the days grow longer, inhaling the scent of fresh-cut grass, and savoring the sweet taste of seasonal fruits. By intentionally connecting to the senses, we can create mindfulness in our day-to-day routines.
Transform cooking to a meal-making ritual by:
noticing the different textures and colors of your food.
smelling the different aromas of spices or herbs in your meal.
tasting the different flavors.
tuning into the sounds of meal-making: sizzles, chops, bubbles.
feeling temperatures and their changes while cooking.
Turn a shower into a self-care ritual by:
massaging the skin with lotion or oil after bathing.
turning on a soft meditation, gentle music, or even an audiobook.
dimming the lights or lighting candles.
using fragrant soaps, salts, oils, or diffusers.
brushing your teeth or tongue scraping, an Ayurvedic practice.
Change a sleep habit to a bedtime ritual by:
sipping a cup of chamomile tea.
dressing in comfortable, cozy clothing.
listening to white noise or nature sounds.
reading a book or doing trataka, candle-gazing meditation.
lighting incense or using an essential oil diffuser.
These lists are in no way exhaustive - they simply offer suggestions to inspire creativity on how you want your ritual to look, sound, taste, feel, or smell. Enjoy leaning into and exploring the sacred power of rituals.
“The power of [ritual]: it marries the mundane to the sacred.”
~Robin Wall Kimmerer, from Braiding Sweetgrass
Rachael Rehagen completed her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training at Jane's House in 2022. She offers Buti Yoga classes and creative Crafternoons, in addition to contributing as a writer for the studio’s blog. Community is one of her core values, and something she hopes is felt in each of her classes and contributions. Her intention is to create a safe space where everyone is invited to be open, stay curious, and tap into their inner joy.