My goal with back to school was to stay as present in each experience as I could. I am amazed at how present I need to be on that very thought alone before I can even begin to be present in the moment, interaction or experience.
This morning yoga class began with a chorus of Aums. Usually we are encouraged to take three Aums together as a group to unite the room in practice. Three - I can hold my focus on this. There is a start, a middle and a clear end.
I will admit that staying present for the entire 6 minute chorus of Aums was exhilirating. I felt giddy, light and enjoyed a vibration throughout my inner being that brought a smile to my face. I knew when we were starting, I couldn't predict where the middle was and I had no idea when the end would be so I allowed myself to just enjoy the journey. Bliss.
These reminders, these practices of staying present are a gift that I can continually find on my mat when I come to it. Equally I can take those practices with me throughout my day and share them with others.
When I go off to my afternoon meeting I can really listen to what the other person is saying and be able to answer more appropriately. When the kids join me after school I can feel the comfort of really hearing about their day, tuning into their energy and transitioning more fluidly together.
My own staying present has a profound affect on those around me.
Yoga has many elements that give something to me that then I can share with others. Today it grounded me and reminded me how to ride the waves with a smile in my being and upon my face.
Namaste
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Transitions
Since my daughters have come into this world I have felt constantly in transition. Just getting used to all things being one way and POOF! they change. It has taken me some time to find my graceful energy with transition.
It began to get easier when I rather cautiously chose to explore transition with a more open and caring view point. When I slowed down, despite the urgency some transitions came to me with, I began to be able to listen to what my mind and body had to say. In this way, transitions have become something I can maintain my own inner balance with more often. And the affect this calm and thoughtful energy has had on my children and how they transition has become something we all share.
September is transition on steroids. Everything from pace, expectation, sleeping pattern, daily demands, friends, job, school, eating habits, shoes, weather, clothing...the list could easily go on and I am sure you get my drift. I even feel a sense of 'speed' on my mat.
It takes a greater effort to be present and focus on my breathing - on the mat and off.
I know now that all of the transitions - whether they be from downward dog to plank or from picking the girls up at school and tapping into their individual needs that have come up on that particular day asks me to be first incredibly and thoughtfully supportive of what is going on inside of me. To feel grounded.
It is only from my own feeling of groundedness that I can offer myself and others a smoother transition that has ease, focus and awareness running through it.
Equally, I can only go from one asana to another in my practice if I am really committing myself to being present and reminding myself to slow down and check in.
Yoga is gracious this way - class encourages us to go at our own speed. So on days when I need to focus more on being grounded I might not have gotten through my Vinyasa in the exact time suggested but I have fulfilled my movement and breath. This is what matters.
With my girls I try to teach them the same concept for their daily lives...they may not be where their friends are on some things in school or socially...they might be slower or faster or not there at all. Instead of focusing on these I encourage them to listen in - what is their head, heart and body saying? Are they able to breathe through, is their heart or thoughts racing, do they feel calm?
Mindfulness is a daily meditation. Transitions will always be offered on the mat and off.
I challenge myself to continue to make peace with this and to find more fluidity through movement.
It began to get easier when I rather cautiously chose to explore transition with a more open and caring view point. When I slowed down, despite the urgency some transitions came to me with, I began to be able to listen to what my mind and body had to say. In this way, transitions have become something I can maintain my own inner balance with more often. And the affect this calm and thoughtful energy has had on my children and how they transition has become something we all share.
September is transition on steroids. Everything from pace, expectation, sleeping pattern, daily demands, friends, job, school, eating habits, shoes, weather, clothing...the list could easily go on and I am sure you get my drift. I even feel a sense of 'speed' on my mat.
It takes a greater effort to be present and focus on my breathing - on the mat and off.
I know now that all of the transitions - whether they be from downward dog to plank or from picking the girls up at school and tapping into their individual needs that have come up on that particular day asks me to be first incredibly and thoughtfully supportive of what is going on inside of me. To feel grounded.
It is only from my own feeling of groundedness that I can offer myself and others a smoother transition that has ease, focus and awareness running through it.
Equally, I can only go from one asana to another in my practice if I am really committing myself to being present and reminding myself to slow down and check in.
Yoga is gracious this way - class encourages us to go at our own speed. So on days when I need to focus more on being grounded I might not have gotten through my Vinyasa in the exact time suggested but I have fulfilled my movement and breath. This is what matters.
With my girls I try to teach them the same concept for their daily lives...they may not be where their friends are on some things in school or socially...they might be slower or faster or not there at all. Instead of focusing on these I encourage them to listen in - what is their head, heart and body saying? Are they able to breathe through, is their heart or thoughts racing, do they feel calm?
Mindfulness is a daily meditation. Transitions will always be offered on the mat and off.
I challenge myself to continue to make peace with this and to find more fluidity through movement.
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