It’s spring! Whether or not the fluctuations in temperature have you convinced, the vernal
equinox has indeed come and gone, and we find ourselves in springtime. In so many ways, I
have always felt spring to be the start of the new year. It promises new life and possibility in a
way that January simply never could. We begin to notice buds on trees and flowers in the ground
as the Earth comes back to life and begs us to join her outside in celebration. The days have
gotten longer (thank God) and there have already been a few days where New Yorkers have
rushed to Central Park with a beverage, a frisbee, and a book in tow.
We seem to forget that spring is promised. Winter can drag on, pulling us into our homes,
away from the people and practices that bring us joy. We seem to forget that joy is life-sustaining
— necessary for our survival. But each year, as spring rolls around, we get a little braver,
venturing outside, reconnecting with loved ones, and reconnecting with ourselves.
However, as New Yorkers crawl out of their homes, visitors from all over flock to our
city, as well. Nestled on 56th Street and 8th Avenue, Sonic Yoga can occasionally feel swallowed
by the hustle and bustle that rages on outside. I can find myself irritated and jostled by the
busyness and searching for reprieve. However, today, as I hurry to work and hear Alicia Keys
singing about our concrete jungle from the speaker of a pedicab for the millionth time, there is
another sound — laughter. I find myself immediately smiling with them. What a beautiful
reminder that this city, for all its faults, is sought out by so many for the sole purpose of joy.
Life-sustaining joy. How lucky are we that all this electricity can sometimes feel mundane. How
important it is to remind ourselves exactly where we stand.
Maybe that is the Yoga we all seek. The noticing, and, perhaps more so, the remembering
that we are inherently interconnected. Far beyond standing on our hands (a practice I love
dearly), Yoga is union. Yoga is awareness of our union with nature, with each other, and with
self. The awareness that we are so far from alone in our Yoga practice and in our lives. As spring
begins to awaken and reignite our practices, both on and off the mat, let’s continue to prioritize
community. Let’s continue to uplift one another, celebrate our victories, practice gratitude, and
recognize this spark of life we all share. Our liberation is tied to the liberation of others; our joy
is tied to recognizing and celebrating joy in others; our internal peace is found by seeing peace in
everything around us and knowing it is ours to share in, too. Let’s remember this. Let’s welcome
spring.
Let’s practice Yoga.