Winter greetings from all of us at OPO…
Winter is a pivotal time of the year where we experience the longest nights and shortest daylight. Around the world it is a significant moment for ritual, feast and contemplation of past and future. It's an opportunity for us all to create some meaningful stillness before the festive season takes hold.
This last year has been a remarkable time for us, so thank you to all of you who keep OPO at the centre of your day. And for those of you who’s lives have been supported, transformed or inspired, we appreciate you. You inspire us to keep growing and touching more peoples lives.
We wish you a healthy and hearty winter season.
Chris. Elliot and the OPO team
NAVIGATE THE WINTER SEASON
MINDFUL REMINDERS
OPO founder, Chris Connors shares some mindful reminders to help you through the season ahead...
TAKE TIME OUTSIDE…
Spend as much time outside as you can. Even when the winter weather tempts you to remain inside, being outdoors will serve you well. Breathe in good air, take morning light to optimise and align your circadian rhythm. And for those who might want to go further, take up some cold exposure practice - the health benefits are many.
LIGHT UP…
Light fires and candles as much as you can this time of year, especially in the evening. This boosts our melatonin production and enhances good sleep cycles.
GRATITUDE...
Put gratitude practices at the centre of your day. Write down regularly what you are grateful for and let it enhance your generosity of spirit at this time. Read about the science of gratitude practice here.
CONNECT…
Think of someone who you know could do with some extra festive cheer. Check on an elderly person, give to homeless charity, or someone you know experiencing loneliness. Although Christmas is a time of cheer, it can be emotionally challenging for many.
PRACTICE...
Cultivate some good stillness practices along the way, breath work, mindful movement practices, nature based practices.
SET INTENTIONS…
Make at least one good and realisable intention to expand for this year ahead.
VENTURE OUT
THE GREAT NORTH SOUND JOURNEY
Journey into the northern lights of Lofoten. This powerful sound journey is one of our most requested at this time of year and is designed to transport you deep into the expansive realms of The Great North.
Make sure you lie down. Put a blanket over you. Practice deeper breath work along the way, if you have this practice. And let the sounds carry you.
READ
WINTERING - A MEMOIR BY KATHERINE MAY
A perfect read as you settle into the cosy season. This beautiful book offers warmth and comfort for those harsher winter days.
In Wintering, Katherine May recounts her own year-long journey through winter, sparked by a sudden illness in her family that plunged her into a time of uncertainty and seclusion. When life felt at is most frozen, she managed to find strength and inspiration from the incredible wintering experiences of others as well as the remarkable transformations that nature makes to survive the cold.
This beautiful, perspective-shifting memoir teaches us to draw on the healing powers of the natural world and to embrace the winters of our own lives.
'Wintering is every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself ... this is truly a beautiful book’. Elizabeth Gilbert.
LISTEN IN
MUSIC FOR WINTER AND WONDER
Take time to indulge in these warming sounds and songs curated for a perfect restful Winter day.
Relax into our mix of sounds and heartening beats here.
With tracks from Olafur Arnolds, Goldfrapp, Mari Boine, and more.
'Meditation is inner music, music is outer Meditation'
