January 2026 Newsletter

Dear One,

On our first annual visit to Greece, when we were in the practice place and Ashtanga Vinyasa retreat run by Derek and Rada.  They invited us to teach, thinking Iyengar yoga would give students a rest, but they were wrong.  It was in a wonderful location perched on rocks overhanging the sea.

After eleven years of visits with our group of about twenty students, umbrellas and sunshades appeared on the adjacent swimming beach.  The area was turning commercial.

It was then we found Lesbos, an unspoilt friendly island further north.  We ran our own Iyengar retreat. It was extremely popular and the following year we ran it for three weeks.

I wanted to talk to you about the sun.  When visiting a museum in Crete, I learned how the ancient Greeks worshipped the sun as their god, (not a bad choice if you are going to pick something in the material world). The word light is used in so many ways, light is one of those concepts that shows up in almost every spiritual tradition because it’s such a powerful metaphor for awareness, truth, and transformation.

After savasana you are all shining with light.  Narain Ishaya was described as a light being and that there was just enough body to hold him down here. 

Modern Spirituality

Light = high vibration, intuition, and energetic alignment.

Practical ways people work with “light”

• Visualising light during meditation for calm or healing

• Using “light” as a metaphor for personal growth (“stepping into your light”)

• Seeking clarity in confusing situations

• Practicing gratitude to “bring more light” into daily life

Darkness is a lack of light

The sun reveals blue sky.  We use the suns heat for power, heating and cooking. 

Our references to light:

·       Enlightenment

·       Light on yoga

·       Sundial

·       Holidays (there is plenty in Lesbos)

·       For relaxation

Watching folk in Green Park, as a collective body, sitting on the grass at lunchtime when the sun came out from behind a cloud, they took off their jumpers and lay down.  When the sun went behind a cloud they sat up and put them on again.

The sun is responsible for all greenery, through photosynthesis. 

The expression, ‘it’s lightening up’ for weather or people is lifting. 

If there is one person in a group who is enlightened, then the whole class lifts. 

Light is a divine presence or higher power, let it guide you. 

All we need to do is follow the light. 

In the love and light of yoga,

Ruth

Nothing but your thoughts can make you vulnerable. 

Join us in the Greek isle of Lesbos, 31^st May – 7^th June, in a 5-star hotel. £833 including residential, flight and transport from the airport to the hotel and into the village.