THE GIFT OF THE PRESENT MOMENT

Yoga and yoga dance have truly helped me to live in the present moment. As Buddha says, "Do not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future. Concentrate the mind on the present moment."

How many times do we miss the small things in life because we are too busy thinking about the future or the past! While driving, do we ever glance outside the window to notice the scenery? Think of some other experiences that you have missed because you weren't paying attention. Yoga helps me to apply mindfulness to the present moment through breathing, moving mindfully in and out of the poses, noticing the sensations in my body and working with those sensations in the MOMENT. Then the relaxation period totally enables me to JUST BE. When I breathe in I say to myself, I AM, and when I breathe out I say to myself, RELAXED. I am in that present moment, accepting myself as I AM, unconditionally. I am nurturing myself, loving myself and completely at peace in that moment. Yoga has helped me to let go completely of what is OUT THERE - no matter what it is, good or bad. I love to begin my yoga practice with an intention for my practice, or for a loved one, or to love someone who I find difficult to love. Reading poetry or quotes that affirm my goodness help me to take the high road and move positively forward in my life. It seems that once mindfulness becomes the top of my mind, I am amazed at how much of life I have actually missed. I still do miss some of the moments of my precious life as I am human but then I have my yoga practice to go to. What a safe and loving place to go to!! Yoga dance frees me to just let it all out, dance out my emotions as well as nurturing my body, JUST THE WAY IT IS. It also helps me to connect to my inner being as well as to others. I feel so free to dance it out - with no competition or comparisons!! I do this with yoga as well. Didn't used to. Thought to myself, "What is wrong with me. I have no flexibility" Well, that is what yoga has done for me. It has created flexibility in my joints and in my heart!! . A saying I got from a wonderful book called Guiding Yoga's Light - "Those who are awake live in a state of amazement". How true this is. When the going gets tough and it does, remember to take a moment to JUST BE in the moment and then think of... perhaps a moment of grace that was given so freely to you or maybe think of all the moments of breath you have been given. Breathing in, I calm the mind, breathing out, I smile. Take the high road. Drop the resentments. Believe in yourself and believe that small gestures of kindness, such as smiling at a stranger, or helping someone carry their groceries are truly moments of grandeur, the best moments you can have. Be in the moment and take a moment to love yourself and someone else each and every day. Soften your heart and enjoy the moment - for this is the ONLY moment. Namaste