Yoga Bits
June 6-12, 2011

Classes for the Week of June 6  

Wed 7:30 p.m.  Thu 7:30 p.m.  Sat 11 a.m.  Sat 3 p.m.

 

Coming End of July:  

Sunday class at Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena 


Opening Your Present
A gift with no strings attached

 

"Yoga attempts to create a state in which we are always present - really present - in every action, in every moment. The advantage of attentiveness is that we perform each task better gift boxand at the same time are conscious of our actions. The possibility of making mistakes becomes correspondingly smaller the more our attention develops. When we are attentive to our actions we are not prisoners to our habits; we do not need to do something today simply because we did it yesterday. Instead there is the possibility of considering our actions fresh and so avoiding thoughtless repetition."

 

-- "The Heart of Yoga," Desikachar

 

 

Let's dissolve the myth that being "really present" is only something that occurs when we are sitting in a cross-legged position chanting a mantra. Quite the contrary.

 

Every moment contains in it the opportunity to be present, a phenomenon that we have probably experienced but perhaps not cultivated. One of the advantages of a regular yoga practice is that it develops the ability to respond to the present moment, on or off the mat, so that "we are not prisoners to our habits."

 

Certainly increased awareness can lead us away from the traps of "bad" habits. But even good habits diminish in quality when we engage them through thoughtless repetition. The next time you wash your hair, or cut vegetables for the kids' lunches, or pay a parking meter, ask yourself in what way you can be attentive to this moment. Can you notice the scent of the shampoo, the color of the carrots, the ridges on the edge of the quarter before you drop it in the slot? Practicing paying attention to the smaller things helps hone our ability to be present for the people and situations we consider important.

 

We are often so focused on the grand prize, the lifetime achievement, the lofty goal that we miss out on the countless rewards raining down on us each day. Notice a moment today where you happen to be disconnected or operating on "auto-pilot" and shift your attention. Don't worry about sustaining it -- just practice observing your unconscious behavior and then choose to be open to your present, one little moment at a time.  

 

 

Sat Nam,

 

Mary