Winter Yoga and Ayurveda: Finding Balance at West Door Yoga in Bay Shore
- Dee Morrow
- Jan 11
- 4 min read
“The quieter you become, the more you hear.” — Ram Dass
The problem is you are treating your body in the winter like it is the summer, and the expectation is that it should respond the same. What no one told you is that your nervous system, hormones, and energy reserves shift dramatically in this season.
The days are shorter, darker, and your energy low. You keep up with the pace of life, but your body wants to slow down. You crave warmth, quiet, and rest.
In yoga, this rhythm is explained through Ayurveda, the science of balance. Winter carries Kapha energy, cool, heavy, and still. When Kapha builds up, you might feel tired, unfocused, or unmotivated.
The answer isn’t to push, it’s to embrace the season by bringing in warmth, flow, and light.
👉 Learn more about Ayurveda from The Ayurvedic Institute👉 Explore Ayurvedic wisdom at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health
Candlelight Yoga and Winter Wellness in Bay Shore
At West Door Yoga, we’ve created a space that supports what the body needs in winter; slower movement, grounding, and strength.
When you walk into the studio you can feel the calm. The brick walls hold warmth, the soft lighting lowers your stress levels and you notice your breath becoming slow and steady. When you can connect with your body and your surroundings, your nervous system responds, the rest and digest chemistry, activated.
Our Candlelight Yoga classes balance the cool weight of winter with warmth, flow, and connection in a room softly lit by dozens of candles.
These classes have made West Door Yoga a community favorite and a 2025 Best of Long Island winner and 2026 nominee for Best Yoga Studio, Reiki Practitioner, and Holistic Wellness Center.
“Slow down, and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you.” John De Paola
Why Slowing Down in Winter Restores Energy and Focus
Winter is a recovery season, the body rebuilds energy and strength during this time. When you keep pushing through it, fatigue and burnout begin to settle in.
Ayurveda teaches that balance starts with awareness and to listen before the body has to speak loudly.
A consistent yoga practice supports circulation, clears the mind, and helps restore vitality throughout the colder months.
Learn more about how we teach healing and mindfulness on our About West Door Yoga page.
If burnout or fatigue feel familiar, explore our Burnout Is Real Program, created to help you decompress and recover through yoga, coaching, and holistic care.
How to Stay Grounded with Yoga and Ayurveda This Winter
At West Door Yoga, our winter classes focus on rhythm, warmth, and stability. Movement is steady, breath-centered, and purposeful. The goal is to wake up the body and quiet the noise that builds during the darker months.
You’ll feel it from the first breath, warm light, slower pace, calm focus. This is where winter balance begins.
Check the class schedule to find your next class.If you’re looking for a deeper reset, explore our Wellness Retreats or join one of our Events to connect through reflection and community.
Winter Self-Care: Listen, Rest, and Rebuild at West Door Yoga
The world keeps going in winter, but you can choose to move through it the way nature does. Even the bear knows when to rest and rebuild. Listen to that same rhythm in yourself, care for what your body needs, and make self-care the priority that keeps you well.
Rest without guilt.
There’s room for you here.
FAQ: Yoga and Ayurveda for Winter Wellness
What is Ayurveda and how does it connect to yoga? Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga. It teaches how to live in rhythm with nature to restore balance in both body and mind. During winter, Ayurveda encourages warmth, slower movement, and nourishing foods to balance the cool, heavy qualities of Kapha energy.
What foods does Ayurveda recommend in winter? Ayurveda encourages eating warm, grounding foods in winter. Focus on cooked meals instead of raw. Root vegetables, lentils, basmati rice, oats, soups, and stews build steady energy. Add warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and cardamom to boost circulation and digestion. Choose healthy fats such as ghee or olive oil, and drink warm water or herbal tea throughout the day to support hydration, balance and winter wellness.
How can yoga help with winter fatigue? Gentle movement and breathwork improve circulation, boost energy, and calm the mind. Candlelight Yoga at West Door Yoga is especially grounding during colder months.
Where can I take candlelight yoga classes in Bay Shore? Join West Door Yoga at 5 Fifth Avenue, Bay Shore, NY.
Visit our schedule to see class times or join an upcoming retreat for deeper restoration.
— Dee Morrow Co-Founder of West Door Yoga 500-Hour Yoga Teacher | Reiki Master | Hypnosis Practitioner | Registered Nurse
West Door Yoga, Bay Shore, NY. A community for focused, healing movement and real-life wellness.
Explore classes: https://www.westdooryoga.com/schedule
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