Last night, we changed the clocks, springing ahead an hour and losing an hour of time. Although I wasn’t happy losing that hour of sleep (and my internal clock definitely needs a little adjusting), the addition of an extra hour of sunlight, with the light still shining at 7pm today as I send this out, is a wonderful treat. Though the darkness in the morning hours will take a little adjustment in the next few weeks, as the weeks go by we will gain more sunlight back in the morning, expanding our daylight even more. Our bodies truly do react to time changes as well as the addition of more light. Exposure to light is thought to increase the brain’s release of serotonin, the natural chemical we produce that is associated with happiness and helping us keep calm and focused. Even when it’s still cold outside, we know that spring is coming as each day there is a little more light, naturally and manually now by Daylight Savings Time. We know this increased light does not come just from this extra hour on a random day in March but the accumulation of every day since the winter solstice. Each day brings a little more light into our lives and life responds to that light with increased energy and vitality. As all life depends on the light as its ultimate source of beginning and potential, this increasing light is a reason for celebration.
So let’s Spring ahead! It’s the time of year where we eagerly anticipate the return of green grass, warmer weather and a fresh outlook. Especially this year as we spring forth with expanding light, hopefully we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, with less restrictions around COVID and a renewed sense of freedom in our actions and mindset. Our yoga practice allows us to step into that expanding current of light and freedom. Whether it is in finding the balance point in a balance pose or the simple placement of your hands in downward facing dog; it is the light of your awareness. The process is continually unfolding and evolving. Whether you are coming to your yoga mat for the first time, or for the first time this week, the promise of yoga is to allow you to step into the current of the expanding light, bringing with it more awareness, clarity, vitality, energy, and freedom.
Although this time of year and this missive is about expanding light, I would be remiss if I were to overlook the darkness that currently exists in our world with the unprovoked attack on Ukraine, and the war that is raging there. Yoga philosophy tells us that everything is in relationship, in a pulsation, and it is through this pulsation that we find balance. Without darkness we cannot recognize the expanding light and without the light that brings with it awareness and clarity, we cannot quell the darkness. As we move into the expanding light, let us pray for and keep the people of Ukraine in our hearts and in our minds. I hope to see you on your mat this week in any of our in-studio and online classes where we will step into that current of expanding light and find balance.
As always, thanks for reading my musings. Namaste, Leslie
