Yoga in the Dark

December 9, 2024 (updated from February 5, 2024)

The winter months are here, and with them comes the dark. It's dark when we drive into work and dark when we leave. This can make it feel like there is no sunshine. But take it in stride! Look forward to all the things that we can do in the dark!

There are many activities that we enjoy more in the dark: meditating, watching movies, cuddling with your partner, taking a relaxing bath, etc. Instead of feeling down about the shorter days, make it a point to do more of these things, or try something new.

For example, have you ever considered doing your yoga flow in the dark? If not, you should.

For point of reference, I do my yoga flow in the dark and have learned a few things about my body and mind in the process. I've learned how to rely more on my mind's eye and my natural body strength. I've memorized by flow with my whole body, not just my mind.

I’ve made necessary adjustments to get the most out of my experience. I’ve even considered offering “yoga in the dark” sessions in the studio.

Before attempting this, I recommend an intention setting meditation. It will help you tune into your mind and body and steer your focus.

There are some pros and cons to consider when thinking about doing a yoga flow in the dark. Here are a few that I learned:

Pros

1. better centrality and focus: not having a clear focal point forced me to rely solely on my breath and mind-body balance

2. less distractions: during the hours that it’s dark (here in Michigan), there were fewer outside noises and I was able to relax and not have to work so hard on blocking them out.

Cons

1. potential to fall asleep: as I mentioned above, the hours that I practice in the dark are usually very early in the morning or very late at night. These are prime hours for sleepiness, so keep time ranges in mind.

2. losing your balance: I humbly ask that you don’t turn your “yoga in the dark” experience into a cautionary tale. If you want to try doing a flow in the dark, please take some small steps toward safety, such as recruit a spotter or make sure that you have something soft surrounding your mat to land on, should you lose your balance.

If you do try this and have what you consider to be a successful flow, write it down in your yoga journal! This is a great thing to reference for amping up your practice.

Share love today all, humanity so desperately needs it!

Namaste