Wish you a Happy Yogi Diwali !

As I develop my yoga practice, I think about how the little things that come together to make Diwali such a wonderful time of the year are actually so well thought out by our ancestors – all in perfect harmony with nature and seasons.

Diwali – the festival of lights. It is celebrated on the new moon night in the month of Kartik, which is around mid-October to mid-November. All the stories related to Diwali tell tales of triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, light over darkness. Diwali is celebrated in different ways in various parts of India and is as diverse yet alike as India and her people themselves. Different deities are worshiped on different days. But the central theme is good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

Diwali is a 5-day long celebration. There is a lot of symbolism in the many tales about Diwali. In the epic Ramayana, Diwali was celebrated when Rama returned after his 14 year exile. On one day Dhanvantari the god of ayurvedic medicine is worshipped to pray for a healthy life. Then Lakshmi the goddess of wealth is welcomed into homes. Diwali padwa is a day marked by the celebration of the relationship between husband and wife, while Bhai-dooj is reserved for brothers and sisters. We also offer prayers to Saraswati, goddess of education and wisdom. In east India Kali the slayer of the demon Narkasur is worshipped on the day called Narak Chaturdashi or Kali chaudas.

Here are some suggestions on how you can also enjoy your Diwali – the yogi way!

· Sun salutations are a great way to start your day. We show gratitude to the sun – the very source of light in our outside world – the cosmic giver of energy.

· Show yourself some TLC with traditional warming oils and fragrant scrubs. In almost all Indian households there is a ritual of applying fragrant oil and bathing with ayurvedic scrub mixes early in the morning during Diwali. Being that autumn is the vata season, this makes complete sense from an Ayurvedic point of view.

· Enjoy some of those ghee laden sweet and savory snacks with just a little less guilt. The reason again is to do with dosha balance. Ghee, nuts and sugar/jaggery are very rich, heavy and high kapha foods. These common ingredients in Diwali treats are great to balance the dry, airy quality of the fall season in which Diwali is celebrated.

· Try some color therapy with Rangoli. Sitting down and concentrating on the design and intricacies of a Rangoli is so therapeutic and calming – it is like meditation in its own right. Not to mention, the result does not fail to bring a sense of achievement and so much joy!

· Light some lamps. Diwali literally means a row of lights (little clay lamps or ‘diyas’). As days start getting shorter the light from these oil-lamps is a very pleasant and heartening sight.

· Volunteer your services for the needy. Give your time and attention to your loved ones instead of expensive gifts. Take this opportunity to show gratitude to whoever touched your life in a special way, but you never got around to really thanking them.

Finally, just enjoy the festival and always strive to find the truth, the light, the wisdom even in a world of falsehood, darkness and ignorance.

Happy Diwali to you and yours. Sending light and love your way 😊