Yoga is all about the NOW. Whether it’s meditating or the physical acts – yoga forces you to focus on the here and now. I’ve been learning about the Yoga Sutras in my Yoga Teacher Training and it’s so fascinating to interpret each and every one of them. Yoga teaches you to be more present, minimizing the worries and anxiety that come from thoughts of the future; and

What are the yoga sutras?

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is an ancient text of 196 sutras (also knows as short phrases/statements), dated around 400b.c. This ancient text gives the practices and understanding of the philosophical system of yoga. The yoga sutras are basically the root of this practice.

The first yoga sutra establishes the whole purpose, definition, and journey of yoga:

ATHA YOGA ANUSASANAM

Atha: Now, in the now, in the present

Yoga: derived from yuj, meaning to join or unite 

Anu: following or within the tradition

Sasanam: inner discipline 

This can be interpreted in so many different ways – but generally represents something along the lines of:

“Only in the moment of now, can yoga occur”

Now has no age, no past, no future. Most of us get caught up in the past or have fear, anxiety, or expectations about the future. This Yoga sutra brings us back to the simplest form of being present. Here’s a personal story of my coming to yoga – which helped me understand the first yoga sutra with my own life experience –

I first came to yoga 7 years ago in an attempt to focus my mind and be more present. Anxiety and panic attacks were eating at me daily and it was something I tried hard to control with no progress. My brain couldn’t stay still, something I now know as Monkey Mind – thinking of a thousand different things at once, and the worst part was I was focusing on the fear and anxiety of the future. I had no idea what that was going to look like – there was almost a dark veil over my thoughts at the time. I couldn’t get control of them. 

I had a family member suggest yoga because well it grounds you, centers you, and helps you focus. I thought I’d give it a try – at least I was in control. The more I learned about yoga the more I wanted to know more. Focusing on every aspect of my yoga practice in the present was what really helped me overcome panic attacks and anxiety. It can really make a world of a difference when you start worrying about the past, the future and only focus on what is now. 

I didn’t encounter the yoga sutras until recently in my yoga teacher training – but it hits home to a very personal part of my life. I don’t know where I would be today with my anxiety/panic attacks if I hadn’t found yoga, and pushed myself to focus on the now. 

For anyone engaging in yogic meditations, the yoga sutras and philosophy of the sutras can be an invaluable tool. Not just for the experience of calming the mind, but also because when we focus on the present, on the now in yoga – fewer injuries can occur. Focusing on the pose, the transitions, and how they feel in your body are an essential part of any yoga practice. By doing this, we feel what is right and is not right in our bodies and we tend to have fewer injuries when we are present in the poses and flows. 

DON’T MAKE THE POSTURE THE GOAL. MAKE THE PRESENCE INSIDE THE POSTURE THE GOAL. DON’T WORRY ABOUT GETTING IT RIGHT IN THE WAY YOU SEE SOMEONE ELSE DOING IT. YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT HOW IT FEELS INSIDE YOUR OWN BODY. ONLY DO WHAT FEELS GOOD FOR YOU. 

 

How can we be more in the present?

Being more in the present simply means focusing on what you are doing in that very moment, focusing on your breath. You can ask yourself these questions:

• Does my breath feel compromised?

• Is this hurting my body?

• Is this pose restricting your ability to be a presence inside the posture?

• Relax and listen to your mind – where is your focus?

It’s ok if your mind wanders, the simple act of TRYING to be more present and grounded has many of the same benefits. Don’t force it, but if your mind does wander just bring your thoughts and attention back to your breath.

Your breath is the center of it all.

You shouldn’t be compromising your breath or anything that prevents you from being fully present. If it is restricting you, then take it back a notch. Adjust your body until it feels right in your body – lean on your teachers to know how it should feel. Yoga is about listening and discovering what is good for your body – not everyone is the same. 

Try it now

Put your hand on your heart and your other hand on top. Slow your breath, and start taking longer inhales and exhales.

Breathe in for 3 counts

Hold for one count

Breath out for 3 counts

Quiet your mind, and focus on your breathing. If it helps, chant OM to help you focus on your exhales and deepen your focus. Don’t think about anything else but this moment, this breathing. Remember that its ok if thoughts arise, just bring your attention back to your breath. Focus on the counts.

Ask yourself – how does my body feel? Visualize how the breath is being pushed into your lungs, and then expelled out. Imagine it is coming into your body, doing a somersault, and flowing back out.

It’s too easy to find an excuse not to do yoga. But this concept reminds me that any time the right time to do Yoga (at home, in bed, in the car, at my desk, on a plane). As long as you can focus your thoughts on the present, and you are bringing your attention to your breath.