Yoga at Dusk

Dusk Warrior

Well, it's November, time for the sky to darken and the trees to become bare. The rains are on their way, about to soak the earth in preparation for a long winter. The sun disappears from the sky, especially here in upstate New York. Typically, November marks the beginning of a fierce mental struggle for me. I often long for sunlight, and wish that I could live in a permanently sunny area of the world. When the trees drop their leaves, and the grass turns brown, as the clouds begin to cover the sky for days at a time, I tend to fall into sadness and grief.

But, it's an important time of the year. It's a time to recede into a dormant state, a state that allows us to slow down, recover, replenish, and renew. The trees need this period of slowness, of rest, in order to emerge full and thriving once again in the spring. So, too, must I. Now, I will be celebrating this turn of season. I have decided I will appreciate the beauty of the dusk sky. The most lovely time of day is dusk. Therefore, why not enjoy the beauty of the late fall as though indulging in a deep dusk period? This can be my time to slow down, sink into a warm cozy cocoon, feed my soul with quiet reflection, and appreciate the new season. My mind open for instruction, ready for gentle growth, today's pose will be moon. As dusk bleeds into our days, so also the moon will provide a gentle twilight reminding us that light can be found even beneath a darkened sky, and hope can be seen even within a darkened spirit.