Are We Truly Being Present? Musings and Insights on Mindfulness and Our Yoga Practice July 19 2026

We yogis are constantly going on about being present. We talk about not fretting about the to do list or what will happen tomorrow. We suggest not ruminating on something that has happened in the past. I admit I address this topic often, in yoga class, and to myself when I find myself multi-tasking. I know that I talk the talk but question whether I truly walk the walk.  Recently, I was hit hard with the reality of what being present really means to me.

I was hiking in a local nature reserve recently – no headphones, no music or audio book blasting in my ears. I admit, I was thinking about my day to come and some family issues. As I walked, I noticed this amazing scent. My gaze found this beautiful flowering bush with incredibly fragrant blooms. Instead of blowing past it in order “to keep up my pace”, I stopped to inhale its heady scent. I studied the blossoms, a very common plant in our area, one that I have seen many times.  I thought about how often I have seen it without really seeing it or appreciating it. Motivated, I purposely focused on being more aware as I went along. Within moments I noticed several species of wildflowers sprouting in unlikely spots in the sandy soil. I noticed the glint of the sun on the water. I heard the sound of melodious birds singing and some seagulls squawking. I inhaled the scent of the roses, honeysuckle and the tangy, salty smell of the sea.  A lighter version of what my friend Pat calls the Galilee smell. For some reason, on that walk, on that day, it dawned on me that this embodied being present; being open to experiences and appreciating the beauty of what is in our everyday. I stopped and absorbed it all for a moment, feeling a moment of gratitude for what was right there, right now. Present.

Our yoga practice can help us find these gifts; these “presents” of the present. Last week we referred to sutra 1.2, which discusses freeing our mind from clutter and frivolous chatter.  The translation from Sanskrit explains that the “restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga”.  In a translation I read by Sri Swami Satchidananda, he explains that “the entire outside world is based on your thoughts and mental attitude”.  So rather than trying to change the outside world, we can try to work from within to control our own minds and the way we react to the world around us.  As we work to clear the clutter, we can fully embrace the present. 

As we set to focus on being more present, we can embrace our physical practice, clearing our minds to focus on our movements. We can invoke some pranayama, controlled breathing exercises, to help soothe a restless mind and regulate our energy. I am reminded of the fifth and final Yama, Aparigraha, the ethical yogic principle of letting go or lack of possessiveness. This Yama encourages us to release both physical and mental clutter that weighs us down.

This week I suggest that we turn off our headphones, put the cell phones in a drawer and absorb the present. I believe we will find the gifts (the presents) that being present can give us. Far more than material things or media experiences, these are the true gifts that we must treasure. I know for me that it is a challenge, but one that I will work hard to gratefully embrace.

Our Practice – Vriksasana – Tree Pose

When we think of a practice or pose that helps us be in the present, I think about grounding poses like tadasana as well as poses that require deep focus, balance and intentional breathing. When we practice grounding and balancing asanas, we ward off mental distractions while forcing ourselves to be centered and focused.   

Tree pose balances strength and softness. It requires us to root down firmly through one foot and leg while engaging our core. It demands our total attention to stay upright!

In addition to the grounding and helping us to find presence, tree pose helps strengthen our core and legs. stretches our groin and opens our hips. 

Meditating On Being Present

"Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." — From The Teaching of Buddha

Messenger ~ Mary Oliver

My work is loving the world.

Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird - 

equal seekers of sweetness.

Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.

Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?

Am I no longer young and still not half-perfect? Let me

keep my mind on what matters,

which is my work,

which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.

The phoebe, the delphinium.

The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.

Which is mostly rejoicing, since all ingredients are here,

Which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart

and these body-clothes,

a mouth with which to give shouts of joy

to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,

telling them all, over and over, how it is

that we live forever.

See you on the mat!

Namaste,

Julia Anne