Note To Self: Keep It Light

One night recently a light bulb blew in the hallway. The next morning one of the lights in the bathroom didn’t switch on with the others and then later the same day the kitchen and laundry lights ka-poofed. I made a mental note: Let there be light. And then promptly forgot.

When I did remember it was usually during moments of divine transcendence (well, Savasana when I was almost totally at one with my breath) and every single morning of the past week around 6am as I arrived at my studio. I’ve noticed the clear morning sky and thought how lovely it is to get up early when it’s light outside and then, crap, the lights! Not at all helpful but bang on reliable, thanks to Mother Nature and the universe.

And how clever is nature? That glorious light, with an almost blue-tinged clarity, along with a still slightly crisp air, hints of the summer to come. It’s new and fresh and cleansing; a perfect rebuttal to this busy season.

There’s a sense of expectation as the city wakes up, stepping into a day of welcome. More people are out and about in these early hours, doing movement type things and smiling as I pass them. Fellow yogis share a collective sigh of relief as we start to shed the weight of the world in winter clothing over our yoga gear just to get from car to studio.

During class we’re encouraged to open our hearts, to let go of what doesn’t serve us. For me this often means digging deep, yet I’ve noticed how much easier it is to respond to these instructions when the room itself is filling with soft, warm light. It slowly washes over us, moving with our breath, stimulating a sense of wellbeing, of ease.

That glow floats me out of class and makes me consider how important the physical environment is to my yoga. I’m not sure that it should be. I know yoga can happen anywhere and everywhere, whether in a cupboard or a spa in Bali. But this light, this early! It’s like a gift you’ve put aside and forgotten about until you find it a year later and it’s exactly what you’ve always wanted. It’s that good!

In the spirit of lightness and being and all things yoga I’d love to share this with you. Let’s celebrate dappled light, and seeing the wood for the trees and yogis who make it all so beautiful.

– Jane

I’m slightly embarrassed to say that it wasn’t until the following week-ish that we actually replaced all the light bulbs after days of light switches being turned on and off, on and off, like that would do the job.

©The Yoga Connection