Present the present

Keeping a smile on our faces and trying to remain upbeat, positive and enthusiastic is pretty hard for some of us right now. I know there are times recently that my friends and work colleagues and myself included have just broken down in tears, got angry or not felt like getting out of bed. It’s tough. This lockdown and certainly as the weather gets colder times are challenging.

What i’m doing is continuing to have a routine to my day-to day existance. I really value my own yoga practice and i leave my mat out constantly. My practice is at least 45 minutes in length and it may be quite dynamic and flowing or it might be holding fewer postures for longer. I never know until i arrive in the moment on the mat.

I practice breathwork daily and it’s at least a 10 minute conscious connected breath inhaling and exhaling through the mouth. I do this as soon as i wake up as i find it invigorating, drawing in all that new oxygen for the day to energise me and fill my body with new chi.

Walking is also an activity I try to do at least every other day or just opening the window in my apartment and feeling the fresh air. I try to take different locals walks and get to be amongst trees, woods or by the canal.

Then it comes to sleep. I always aim at getting at least 7 hours sleep a night. Recently Ive woken in the night a few times but Ive quickly got back into it. I find a good night’s sleep helps to body to recover and sets us for the day ahead. I do like a 15 minute nap in the day if I can squeeze it in too.

What im basically trying to say is look at what is serving you right now. How can you restructure your day to now get caught up in past and what your day was like before lockdown. What can do do that will allow you to be happier and more content with the now without dreaming of the future too much?

Yoga practice, breathwork, a dose of fresh air and sleep sure helps with living in the now. Focusing on what you are doing can attune you with your body and quietens the mind bringing you into a more receptive and less responsive state of being.

What could you bring more into your life to live more in the NOW?