The Light

Here in December, our winter season is fairly mild. We enjoy rain and cooler temperatures, and I might even break out the flannel sheets for our bed soon, but we typically miss the quiet of snow or drama of hail. My memory of past winters is a tableau of rain and dark nights, interrupted politely with colored lights.

A few years ago, while attending a silent meditation retreat at Spirit Rock, I decided to change how I saw this time of year. Instead of grieving the light, I decided to view the darkness as a time of creativity and growth, to feel heavy with anticipation and excitement, like when I was awaiting the birth of my children.

Sunset at Limekiln Beach near Big Sur photo by Lorien

What will this new year be like? 
What challenges and adventures will I meet? 
What actions can I take now, like planting seeds, that will grow and blossom and create the changes I wish to see in the world?

During the dark mornings and evenings, I sit and let my mind form these questions as I prepare for the coming year. I've taken some actions already, and I'm listening intently for more guidance. My yoga practice during this time reflects my need for this listening. In addition to my asanas for strength and mobility, I've added time to sit and breathe. Because time is always a factor, I allow my asana practice to be more about supporting longer sitting practices.

Our winter solstice, which includes the longest night, will be on Sunday, December 21 (for inhabitants of the Northern Hemisphere).

As a celebration of the solstice, a way to let go of 2014 and move into the next chapter, I'll be teaching part of a Donation-Based Yoga Mala on Saturday, December 20 at 5:30pm at Breathe Los Gatos.

The celebration will be held on Saturday rather than Sunday so as not to disrupt the regular classes on Sunday. A mala is a set of 108 beads used for prayer or recital of mantra. A yoga mala is a practice of 108 rounds of Sun Salutations; the 108 will be broken into groups and we'll rest in between the groups.
We are asking for $20 donation to participate, which will go to the Family Giving Tree organization.

More information on Breathe's website...

108 Challenge: Compassionate Yoga Serving Us All

Don't want to read? Click here to watch a 2-minute video for an overview of what's below.

What is a Yoga Mala?

Sun salutation or Surya Namaskara is a dynamic sequence of 12 postures performed as one continuous flow. A mala is a string of 108 beads used in prayer and chanting; 108 sun salutations becomes a yoga mala. There is a yogic tradition to practice 108 sun salutations as an offering of peace or to honor the change in seasons, like the upcoming Spring Equinox.

What Does This Mean to Me?

Beginning Wed, June 1 and continuing through June 18, I'll be posting yoga videos on YouTube of various sun salutations. Some with be gentle enough for all abilities, some will be challenging. Each day will have 6 rounds taking between 6-12 minutes - short and sweet! So, if you practice every day, then by June 18 you'll have completed a yoga mala.

Why am I doing this?

As some of you may already know, I am making a wellness yoga DVD for the nonprofit group Human Connexus. This group does extraordinary work! They find families who are struggling financially due to some unforeseen circumstances, and give them help to get by. Many of these families are dealing with medical issues. The wellness yoga dvd will be sent to each of the Human Connexus recipients in order to support their continued well-being. The dvd will be accessible to all levels and abilities, including bedridden and chair-bound participants. The cost to produce the video is $14,000 and we are actively pursuing funding from philanthropic foundations. In the meantime, we have organized an event that everyone can enjoy and support to raise the necessary funds to get this project started.

In addition to the challenge of practicing 108 sun salutations, we are looking to raise 108 donations - in any denomination. 108 donations of $10 each would get the project off the ground, and 108 donations of $100 each would pay for the whole project. Please donate what you can with a light heart. Practice to support yourself, and donate to support others. Pass along this challenge to as many people as you can - let's make compassion viral!

Namaste