The gift of being present.

“With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now.” 
 - Ralph Waldo Emerson 

This time of year, with the days growing shorter and the Holidays upon us, anxiety and depression can  run high. There is a lot going on around us to cause distraction and stress.

Try turning your mind inward, focusing on your breath, and bringing awareness to your body. Do this in a quiet place. When you notice your mind starting to wander, let go of the attraction to the thought and return your attention to your breath. Every time you do this you are experiencing "presence".

You won’t be good at it at first. Your mind will wander, until you’re no longer in the present. That’s normal. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Don’t get discouraged. Just practice.

Practice it in the morning. Practice it while eating lunch. Practice while washing dishes or folding clothes.

The more often we can practice this in our day-to-day lives, the more positive our life becomes. Being present is about surrendering to what is, what's happening in the moment. Not the way we planned it, or the way we think it should be, or the way we want to control it, but allowing it to take us where it will.

I’m not saying don’t have goals or set plans — but goals change. Plans change. We must be prepared for that change, not with more planning, but by being in the moment. Remain neutral and aware, allow events to happen and keep moving forward.

We cannot stop ourselves from thinking about the past or the future. However, with practice, we can focus on the present more than we already do.

Practice being present.

At the beginning of our yoga classes we take a few minutes to breath and center. As we turn our minds inward and remove attachment to outside stimulus we are experiencing "presence". The more often we can practice this in our day-to-day lives, the more positive our life becomes. Being present is about surrendering to what is, what's happening in the moment. Not the way we planned it or the way we think it should be or the way we want to control it. But allowing it to take us where it will.

This is not to say, don't make plans or set goals, but to not react negatively when things don't go as planned. Remain neutral and aware, allow events to happen and keep moving forward.

rolling up the straps

I love that small period of silence after a class. After savasana and the closing ohm, but before students start to roll their mats, gather belongings and quietly start talking to each other as outside stimulation slowly becomes part of the consciousness again.

Some classes end with students walking out in total silence, still reverent after so much inward reflection. Other times chatter comes quickly, mats are rolled in a hurry and students rush on with their day.

Today, there was purposeful movement in the silence after the ohm when all the students simultaneously picked up their straps and rolled them up, very neatly, with intention, and mindfully put them back in the basket.

They probably didn't notice the quiet choreography or feel the weight of the stillness, as I did, while enjoying the bliss of  this very present moment. Maybe they were aware, I don't know. But I certainly took in as much as I could, as my atman peeked outside and thought, this is why I teach yoga.

The intention of staying present.

Staying present means directly experiencing the moment that we're in. Let go of the distractions of what is passing and the anticipation of what is coming. Try to stay within yourself, aware of what is around you, just being a witness.

Being present starts with the breath. Draw a deep breath in and let it out through your nose. Pay attention to your exhale. What happens in that short span of time? Everything falls away. Noticing that nothing happened reminds us that there are moments right here and now, the present. Most of our time is spent thinking about the past or the future and life ends up passing us by.

Be present as the birds sing, take a conscious breath as you spot a robin in the yard hunting for worms. Also be present when the mud squishes, take a conscious breath as you look down at the gooey mess on your shoes. Stay present, witness the moment, take the experience of what is positive to you as it happens and let the rest go. It is what it is.

Come back to your breath. Anytime you are feeling anxious about the past or the future, take a deep breath in and exhale through your nose. Think about the exhale and for that moment let everything else fall away. You are not escaping from your life, rather using this breath to allow stillness in so that your mind can release it's tension and see things in a calm light.