by S.L. Jordan
“The dance between darkness and light will always remain ..." - C. Joy Bell C.
Yoga is a dance. A flow within "The Flow", and it's one I prefer to do at night. It wasn't always that way. When I first started yoga in 2018 I was one of those practitioners who tried to get my practice in right after work, but my home studio here in Houston like most studios have limited parking. The daily parking battles I had to endured?!?! Pure torture.
That was the catalyst that led to the start of a night time practice. At the time, BIG had a 10pm class on their schedule. I still remember walking into that room, the smaller of the three, with the lights dim and the streets lights entering in through the high windows . It was in that class I learned that bridge pose could activate the adrenaline gland- thanks Graham- which can cause some pretty insomniac night. "Only 1 wheel in ANY class after 5:30" became a rule for me. Practicing yoga at night, especially that late at night, took some dedication. The 10pm Crew was small, but mighty.
The 10pm class was removed from the schedule, and I started going to the 8pm class. The love for a Moon Salutation blossomed. The class was held in the larger room at BIG, which faced Allen Parkway and over looked parts of Buffalo Bayou Park. Depending on the season, we would catch glimpses of the sunsetting in the midst of a Sun Salutation. Trust me - it is as beautiful as it sounds. There would be small electronic -because safety- tea candles placed around the room creating this soft glow. The subtle scent of the incense ... purely transformation. Don't even get me started on his playlist!! The icing on the cake.
NIGHT TIME YOGA IS IT!!!

It became a ritual for me. Practicing at night - after the day was done - was a way for me to truly leave everything on the mat. To release any of the days frustrations, stress, worry - even the joy of the day- and sleep peacefully. The consistency of practicing at night has drastically reduced what "issues/thoughts" I carried with me day-to-day.
It's the night cap to my day.
The 5:30am crew can't imagine doing yoga that late, and as a night owl I couldn't imagine having a steady early morning practice.
Which one are you? Day or night?
Meet Me on the Ma'at.
I have to try night yoga! I love the option to leave all the days frustrations right there on the mat. Peaceful, beautiful night cap.
I didn’t even know night yoga was a thing! A 10pm class sounds awesome! too bad they don’t offer that time anymore. I’m definitely going to have to try out a night class.