Mindfulness: A Simple Reminder to Stay Present

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I recently started my own 300hr yoga teacher training (details will be kept private until I’m finished, and then I’ll give a full review). My first module was a restorative yoga teacher training, and one of our required reading books was The Miracle of Mindfulness. It was a quick read, and if you’re a practicing yogi, it might not be groundbreaking, earth-shattering type of stuff, but it was just the reminder I needed. See, I’ve been struggling for a few months with doing it all. I have so much on my plate, which is so exciting, but I feel like I’m stretched quite thin, and I’ve noticed that little hints of anxiety and depression have begun to creep in. I’m keeping an eye on them, but in reading the book, I realized a lot of my issues are due to me not being in the moment. I’m so focused/worried/stressed about upcoming events, that I am unable to be in the present moment.

One tip that helped shift the perspective for me was when the book talks about doing everything as if it’s the most important thing in the world. When you wash dishes, it says, wash each dish mindfully, focused on each movement your hand makes with the cloth. Whether you are paying your bills, doing laundry, working on your profit and loss statement, leading a yoga class, whatever it is - do it with absolute presence and focus. To keep yourself super present, you can even narrate to yourself, “I am washing this dish. Feel how warm the water is as I dip the cloth into the water.”

It was the simplest thing, but it really helped. The next time I took Buckles for a walk, instead of focusing on my never ending to-do list that needed tackling upon my return, I just looked around and said to myself, “What a gorgeous day to walk the dog. Look how he stops and sniffs each lamppost.” It was simple, but it was effective. Almost instantly, I felt my shoulders melt away from my ears, the stress through my jaw ease away, and the tightness in my throat relax.

Stress often comes with the holiday season, so with Thanksgiving fast approaching, I wanted to bring this little mindfulness tip front and center so you’ll be as prepared as possible if stress arises. I’d love to hear what mindfulness tips you have - let me know down in the comments section below.

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