The Power of Pause

Yoga philosophy teaches us that there is inherent balance between the body, the mind, and the spirit. This unity is our birthright. Unfortunately, as we “grow up,” our minds gain strength and overwhelm these other aspects of ourselves. The mind thinks it is in charge, and tries to run the show—it overpowers the body. And the connection to the spirit often becomes a mere whisper.

Quieting the mind, becoming present in the moment, experiencing what is rather than trying to create what might be or remaining stuck in what was, are the doorways to freedom from the busy mind. Our minds need to be trained to be an effective ally. It is our responsibility to quiet the mind by entering into the moment—the power of that pause is profound.

Here are some simple yet effective suggested practices to bring the power of pause into your daily life:

• At every red light, take three deep breaths. Relax and notice your moment.
• Set your phone or a timer for a certain time each day. When it rings, breathe, relax. Consider this moment fully yours.
• Practice standing meditation. At some point during the day (at the water cooler, at the printer, after running an errand) feel your feet on the floor. Let your body gently sway from front to back, from side to side. Come back to center. Feel your body on the earth.

Enjoy your practice of pausing into presence. Let this practice be a mindful experiment, without right or wrong, without effort or struggle. Relax and simply watch.

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