Mind in a Million Places? Rein it in When you Hit the Mat by Theresa Cassaday
There is no one more guilty than this girl when it comes to controlling their “monkey mind.” I can get caught up in the swirl of the wind so easily, it’s well, mind-blowing. (ha! pun.)
Don’t think this is all to my detriment. My windward leaning works gloriously in my favor when it comes to spontaneity. I once went from a random Google search to a charming cooking school in Southern Italy in two weeks flat. In my day job, this this semi-superpower enables me to jump from thought right into execution and ping-pong from planning to implementation in a flash—without breaking a sweat.
But then, I get to the yoga mat. There, it doesn’t take long to realize that the frenetic skills I have homed to precision in my work- and life-life see only a million sparkly objects and they’re SO PRETTY but in reality, they are a giant distraction and come between me and my Zen.
Let me just say, as self-appointed spokesperson for the cause, I know I am not alone in this struggle. It’s hard to calm the mind. Now imagine, you’re taking class through a computer and the world is serving up every distraction: the sink is full of dishes, your cat/dog wants to play, your kids are screaming through the walls, your spouse is hungry, and most likely, your cell phone is on the floor—right there with your yoga props—taunting you with texts. I’m with you, and I feel your discomfort.
So, here’s how I contextualized this conundrum: I wouldn’t go into an important meeting without a carefully planned strategy, and I’ve learned to apply the same tactical approach to my asana. Which is why I have the authority (again, self-appointed) to help you on your mission to tame the mind, arrive and stay in the moment, and be consistently present for online yoga, or any yoga. Being “in the game” is the gateway to the benefits—the nectar of your practice—and you deserve it for your investment in essential self-care.
Here are very practical, and a few ridiculously easy, things you can do to “show” up when it’s time to boot up:
Give your important people notice. Be specific! Tell them why and when you’ll be unavailable. Head off these distractions and silently send them a sweet ‘thank you’ in savasana.
Place your cell phone in a galaxy far, far away. You wouldn’t bring it into a live class, so honor these customs in your studio-at-home.
Make an ironclad self-contract to do nothing else. From the first OM … all the way through the final namaste. It’s tempting, but as the wise and wily Yoda famously rasped, “Control, control, you must learn control!”
You have a clock in your yoga room? If you have the discipline not to look, bravo. If you’re a mere mortal, remove or cover it. Nothing is more distracting than wondering why time is standing still.
If class starts and you cannot summon the energy to keep moving, sit or lie down and listen. You’ll probably recover and if so, jump back in. If not, soaking in the ambiance is just as therapeutic.
Breathe. Rinse. Repeat.
Reward yourself when you finish a class. Keep it reasonable and healthy – and if not, exercise moderation.
Share something you learned with those you love. A pose, the teacher’s sentiments, or an experience. Telling people keeps the practice alive with its very own lingering heartbeat.
Plan your next class. Schedule it now. Keep your appointments.
That’s what I have and it’s a lot. I hope you can sense that these aren’t just words in a blog. The advice I offer has been put the test, by me, self-appointed online yoga strategy tester.
My home-yoga practice was non-existent when the world turned completely inward because of the COVID pandemic. I was in a real pickle. Had I not made yoga my serious business, I could keep soaring with eagles, but never have the presence of mind to balance in eagle pose.
Celebrate the capacity of your mind to be in a million places. What a gift! Harnessing the power of the wind—that’s where you’ll find your golden ticket to transformation.