Meditation in Action

If you’ve been looking to add meditation to your self-care routine but aren’t sure how to practice… this article may be interesting to you! Keep reading to learn of how we actively meditated during our most recent yoga class.

Pre-Class Chatter

I hold my yoga classes at 6 PM during the week. Most of the students arrive quite early. Secretly, I think they want to get their same seats week after week, but whatever the reason I enjoy it!

It gives us a chance to chat socially before the practice, allowing us to get to know each other more. I love creating community among the groups.

Well, last night, we were all chitter chattering about roads around us, speedy neighbors, and house improvements. All of a sudden, I noticed two students up near my yoga supply table. They were moving the lights around and looking for something on the floor.

You’re Not Welcome in Class!

“Uhhh… what’s going on?” I asked them.

“We saw a mouse!”

Ohhh, no. Not a mouse.

Now, I can do snakes. Spiders. Creepy crawlies. I can literally pick bugs up between my fingers (I have to- I grow my own food!). But a mouse!

No way. I cannot STAND mice. Mice are NOT welcome in my yoga classes.

A Meditative Gift

“We’ve got to get that mouse outta here!” I instructed.

Well, they couldn’t find it. And wouldn’t you know… the clock ticked 6:00.

“I guess it’s time to start,” I said, bringing the students together so we could begin.

Now, even though I greatly dislike mice and even though I knew it was there, I thought, how wonderful is this? A way for us all to practice the art of meditation.

I told the students (really, was I telling myself!?!?!??), each time your mind wanders back to worrying about the mouse and where it might be, recenter. Refocus yourself on your breathing and the pose we’re holding.

Let’s all try to stay present on the practice and release the worry of the mouse running around our yoga room.

Meditation in Action

So many students have told me, “I can’t meditate. I just can’t do it.”

Personally, I disagree with them all. They’ve overthinking meditation. Making it more complicated than it needs to be.

Meditation literally is about noticing the distraction, releasing it right then and there without judging or criticizing yourself, and bringing yourself back to the moment in front of you.

As I shared above, the mouse was a meditative gift! An opportunity for us all to practice the art of meditation throughout our yoga class.

Anytime we were distracted by thoughts related to worrying about the mouse and where it was, we could notice that. We could be kind and gentle with ourselves. We could notice that we didn’t see the mouse right then and observe what we DID see right then.

What could we feel? Which pose were we practicing? How did the air feel in the room? What music was playing on the speaker?

You CAN Meditate

At its core, meditation is mindfulness. It’s being present in the moment.

Meditating doesn’t have to be done in silence every time. It can be done in a church hall during a yoga class while the teacher is speaking.

The goal of meditation is to remain focused on the present. We let go of ruminating over the past and release worrying about the future. It’s the object of meditation… to be here in the now.

So, you can do it! You too can practice.

Whether you’re lying down, sitting up, standing, walking, or even engaging in some activity. You can practice meditation.

Every moment is an opportunity to be mindful.

Have You Tried It?

What do you think? Do you see any benefits in being present? What yoga poses help you feel mindful? Which breathing techniques work for you? How does meditation translate to your real life?

And, of course, we’d love to see you in a future class! Check out our yoga schedule and sign up for a future program.

About the Author: Elizabeth Scala MSN/MBA, RN, RYT (200) is a holistic nurse, registered yoga instructor, and reiki master.

Elizabeth received her dual master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is a certified coach, nature lover, and avid meditator.

Elizabeth lives in Maryland with her supportive husband and playful pups. She enjoys gardening, jigsaw puzzles, baking, music, and hiking.