Two more breaths

Recently I was visiting my brother in Manhattan and decided to visit the rooftop garden. The view was spectacular: the harbor, the bridge, New Jersey, and all the lights. Soon there were other people all around me partying and drinking, and I was having trouble taking in the beauty.

Do you notice that even when we get to our "destination" - a vacation, a party, or a challenging yoga pose, it is so difficult to be really present -- we are still distracted by our busy minds, and the activity around us.

On the rooftop at that moment I thought, I'm going to leave, but first, I'll stay here for two more breaths. In those two breaths the people around me dissolved, and the beauty of the vista popped out. I had more presence, more enjoyment, than perhaps in the previous hour.

In yoga we can practice this life presence. Often, in a challenging pose, our mind distracts us, telling us it's too difficult or noticing that the person next to us can do it better. In these times, it helps to focus on the breath, perhaps to stay in the pose for two more breaths, rather than dropping out. The breath makes us more present, quieting the mind, focusing more on our life energy, and all that is positive inside us and around us -- our strength, love, and passion.

From Karoun Yoga Newsletter #7 7/20/2009