Be the Light: A Yogic Reflection for the Winter Holiday Season

“Be the Light: A Yogic Reflection for the Winter Holiday Season”

As the year draws to a close and the days grow shorter, many traditions celebrate light—candles on the menorah, twinkling tree lights, and the warm glow of hearth and home. In yoga, light also holds deep symbolic meaning. It represents awareness, truth, and the divine spark that resides within each of us—our inner light, or jyoti.

This season, rather than simply admiring the lights that decorate our homes and communities, yoga invites us to be the light—to move through the world in ways that illuminate kindness, compassion, and connection.

Being the light begins with self-awareness. The first step is turning inward. Through daily breathwork, meditation, or even five quiet minutes of savasana, we can reconnect with our own steady flame—the part of us that remains peaceful and clear despite external busyness. When our inner lamp is tended, we naturally shine more brightly for others.

Small Acts…

From that centered place, light expands outward. In the spirit of seva (selfless service), consider small acts that brighten someone’s day—a handwritten note, a check-in call, or a warm meal delivered to a neighbor. These gestures, though simple, ripple far beyond their moment.

Patience and Grace…

We can also bring light to our interactions by practicing the yogic principle of ahimsa, non-harming. This might mean responding with patience rather than irritation when lines are long or tensions high. Or it could mean offering yourself grace when exhaustion or sadness surfaces—because compassion begins at home.

On the Yoga Mat…

On the mat, explore heart-opening poses like Anahatasana (melting heart), Ustrasana (camel), or Tadasana (mountain) with hands lifted skyward. These postures remind the body what the heart already knows: we are vessels of light, capable of radiating love and peace in every direction.

So this holiday season, may you pause to breathe, to feel, and to remember that your presence alone can be a source of light. When you embody that truth—through stillness, service, and kindness—you help illuminate the world, one mindful moment at a time.

One Last Thing Before I Go…

This season, may your light shine from within—through your presence, your kindness, and the quiet ways

you bring warmth to the world around you.

Namaste and happy holidays -