It's really difficult to tell our kids these days, "just be patient" when they see us zipping on the computer or our phone to find directions to where we need to be.  (does anyone even use a phonebook anymore?)

Let's look at patience from an "on the mat" experience.  From a student's point of view - why would we want to cultivate patience?  So we can get deeper into our physical postures right?  So we can find that little spot that is giving us trouble or holding us back and going beyond that discomfort to a more open variation of the pose.  What about from a teacher's standpoint?  Why do we want to cultivate patience?  Could you imagine attending a yoga class with a teacher who wasn't patient?  Who said to you, "What the heck? Do you not hear what I am saying to you?  Lift your leg higher!"  Not going to happen - not in my class anyway.

Now let's look at patience from an "off the mat" experience"  So many examples and opportunities to practice patience aren't there?  How about try picking the longest line at the bank or the grocery store.  I dare you.....talk about patience.  What about watching your child tie their shoe in the morning when you are late for work already?  What about noticing how you beat yourself up mentally when you revert to old habits of behavior even when you know they don't serve you anymore and you really want to make a change but don't know how?  Do you have patience for yourself?

That's the place to start ... with you.  But how?  Well - you guessed it - starting physically, "on the mat", in yoga with Savasana - Final Relaxation.  Again, I dare you.  I still remember the first yoga class I went to and the teacher told us at the end of class to lie there, completely still and breathe.  And I thought, why?  I have to go!  I have to ... do something.  That's the trick - we think we have to do something when really we can learn to be still and cultivate patience.  Do you really NOT have 5 minutes to be still?  Not even 5 minutes?  Really?

And then how about "off the mat"?  How many of you DVR a movie and then fast forward through the commercials?  I do.....why not mute them and talk with your family or friends during that time?  What a crazy experience that is....connecting!  Wow!  How about actually being ok with it when something on your computer takes more than 2 seconds to download?

We live in a society where everything, I mean everything, is at our fingertips.  This is the most important time in life to cultivate patience.  Why get to where you are going before it's time?  Remember wanting to grow up really fast?  Now look at you, you're there!  Now what?

Mmm hmmm....try Savasana, lie there on your back and just breathe.  You can close the eyes but be mindful...the mind will wander and you will be thinking about all sorts of things.  Better to focus on something on the ceiling.  Just breathe in and out - that's it.  Don't move a muscle, don't get water, don't think about how you have to use the restroom. Just lay there in stillness - set a timer if you have to.  Only 5 minutes.  Try it and see how patient you become.