Even though I’m not a morning person, I get up at 5am to teach a Sunrise Yoga class.  My yogi soul can’t resist the idea of performing Sun Salutations at dawn in front of a windowed wall overlooking a lake. 

I was glad to have a reason to be up.  It must’ve been that way for the medieval nun making her way to chapel for Vigil. The speckles of Orion’s belt twinkle over the neighbor’s roof, and as I back out of the driveway, a thumbnail of moon hovers above the garage.  It looks over my shoulder as I drive, and by the time I park, it hangs over the building I have to walk through a patch of trees to reach. 

On the gravel path, it’s still the middle of the night.  Crickets chirp and frogs croak.  Cypress trees and mulched earth fragrance the air like frankincense and candle smoke.  Above the buildings the brightest stars and morning planets dot the black sky.

The whole scene disorients my already foggy senses.  The sky is usually bright blue and full of puffy white clouds when I walk this way. The contrast is dramatic.  It gives me pause and reminds me of the medieval nuns again, waking at all hours of the night to pray.  A flash of gratitude warms my heart and eyes. 

During the day this place is full of people preoccupied with agendas and meetings and work.    At 6am peace and tranquility pervade, and just for this one morning, I’m awake to see and feel it.

It doesn’t matter that by the time I set up the room for class and five minutes, then ten minutes, then fifteen minutes pass and no one shows up.  The room and the moment is as beautiful as I imagined it would be. 

I drag my mat closer to the wall of windows.  The crescent moon hangs on and the first light begins to appear in pink and orange streaks. 

I begin.  Inhale, arms overhead.  Exhale, bow forward.  Inhale, lift the head.  Exhale, step back.  Lower down.  Inhale, upward facing dog.  Exhale…. 

Now I understand why those early yogis meditating on the Ganges were compelled to move.  One has to do something when one aligns and feels that the earth, the sun, and the moon are moving, when one witnesses and feels so much a part of it. 

I stop my practice. If I hurry, I can reach the beach in time.

When I arrive, the water lapping the shore is so warm, I am tempted to wade all the way in, clothes and all.  Tips of seaweed poke through the waves.  The first ray stretches across the ocean, a gesture that makes it feel like love is what lights the world.

A man walks in front of me.  I notice his white goatee and then his smile.  “Happy Wednesday!” he says. 

I was disappointed that no one showed up for my class.  But it doesn’t matter.  It’s a new day, and I’m here to see it.

-Radiance Writer

 August 24, 2022