In Adria's class last weekend, she shared a piece of yogic wisdom that was passed down to her from her own teacher: "What we practice in the light, we bring with us in the dark." What exactly does this mean?

When we set aside time for yoga - whether it's at home or in a studio - we're intentionally practicing in a relatively controlled environment. We seek out a practice space where we feel safe, where we have quiet, where we have the props or support we need, and so on. When we have a dedicated time and space for yoga, we give ourselves every opportunity for a successful yoga practice. This is practicing "in the light". We remove obstacles and distractions as best we can, in order to grow our understanding and deepen our practice.

The practice of yoga is valuable on its own, but the value grows exponentially when we begin to take what we cultivate "on the mat" into our everyday lives. In this way, our yoga practice can benefit us at unexpected times, like our student Lori's experience below.

We'd love to hear from you! What lessons have you learned in your practice that you've been able to take out into the world? Has the practice of yoga carried you through moments of darkness or struggle?

With gratitude,