Being More Conscious in the Present Moment

I've been participating in a yoga teacher training for the past month at my studio and started getting back into reading more consistently. I recently read Steve Ross' "Happy Yoga" as well as Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth" & "The Power of Now." All three books do an amazing job of describing the importance and the need to be more aware of the present moment. I've found as of late that with the economy and the inconsistency of my industry, it's been extremely difficult for me not to constantly worry about making ends meet. Therefore, I've caught myself fretting (especially on Sunday nights) about how many clients and classes I will be teaching for the coming week. Then about two weeks ago as I was caught in the worrisome cycle I stopped and remembered what I had recently read in the above mentioned books and asked myself, "How can I be more present and proactive in this moment instead of thinking and worrying about the future?" What a silly question to ask, but one that makes so much sense! Why is it so hard to not worry about the unknown? Why not enjoy and utilize the here and now to prepare yourself for when the future becomes the present moment? Because remember the future is just a concept and the past will never be the present again, so the only way you can live is in the now.

So after my realization, I started kicking it into high gear. I emailed past clients and contacts to see if they knew of anyone interested in yoga or training. I started taking classes and being more present while I was at the gym, trying to meet as many new faces as I could. And suprisingly, my anxiety about the future started to lessen because I know I've done the most I could do in the present moment. The rest is in God/Fate's hands. This past week, I've really started seeing the results of my mindfulness and conscious awareness with new clients and opportunities that have presented themselves. =) So I ask you to try to be alive and totally focused on what you are doing right this second. It's no coincidence that the present is called the present, because it's a gift...a gift that you can only enjoy in the here and now.

Namaste,
Kaleigh