In today’s video clip, I’m sharing the start of one of our community yoga classes. This 25-minute clip introduces the practice of the present moment. I don’t necessarily call it that in the video, but I’m bringing it up here so that you can notice.
The practice follows a basic principle. We can use the body as a way to bring ourselves back from our discursive thought and drop down to sensation without judgment. Translation: We can stop beating ourselves up for shit that’s out of our control and drop in and accept ourselves just as we are. Although practice is basic, let’s say like dribbling a ball, it takes time and effort get it.
The practice is simple and revolves around three inquiries we ask ourselves as we sit and move.
- Can you notice the weight of the body? Scan from your head all the way down to your feet. Notice the weight of each major part of the body as you explore the interaction between yourself and gravity pulling you down.
- Is your awareness of the front of the body and the back of the body equal? That is, can you sense the front and back of the body with the same clarity and intensity? Is there one side that you favor? If so, can you equalize your awareness?
- Can you notice the pause at the end of the exhale? Draw your awareness to the quality of the moment right before your inhale. Don’t change it. Jus notice it.
These three lines of inquiries can become the breadcrumbs that bring you back to yourself and into an experience of the present moment. It is in the present moment that we can settle in and be at ease and home. I can go on regarding this, but the invitation is for you to try it.
The movement sequence in the clip is intentionally slow so that as you move, you can explore the three questions and notice. Enjoy. Don’t hesitate to join us on Monday and Thursday night.
