What is everyday mindfulness?

"Mindfulness is an attitude rather than a skill. Whenever we feel we have reconnected to the old treadmill of 'autopilot', we may choose, if we wish, to step out and start again, making our everyday lives more pleasurable and present."

Throughout our days, most of us breathe a shallow breath. It's something we do involuntarily and most likely, something that we aren't even aware of.

Last week in Restorative Yoga, I paid particular attention to how the participants were breathing by watching their abdomens expand and contract. The rate of the rise and fall was lightning speed. Hence, shallow breath.

Breathing and mindfulness go hand in hand. Even when we take a few minutes to concentrate on being mindful or how we are breathing, it doesn't take long to get lost in thoughts and our breath to speed up.

Practice is key. Over time, if we condition ourselves to find a moment of mindfulness everyday, then our nervous systems become more conditioned to chill out. It's a lifestyle.

This week I challenge you to take 2 minutes everyday to be mindful. Here are two options:

1. Did you know that you can be mindful throughout your day by being present with it? When you're cleaning up dinner dishes, folding the laundry, washing your hair, eating, driving, etc... if you're paying attention and feeling what you're doing, instead of rushing through each task, you are being mindful. Try it this week!

2. Another option is to sit or lie quietly with your breath. Place your hands on your abdomen and on the in breath, expand your belly into your hands. Go ahead, puff it out! On the out breath, let your hands and belly gently relax down. The deeper you take that breath, the more peaceful you will feel.

Mix and match, see what works! See you this week.

Namaste,

Lisa