Out for a walk the other night, I was stunned to see how groups of people were all looking at their phones instead of talking with each other, let alone noticing the brilliant sunset. Even the bikers were glued to their devices while riding their bikes. I was surprised that people weren’t crashing into one another. More folks were glued to their screens at the restaurant too. We all know that too many people text while driving – another recipe for disaster.
Living in a fast-paced 24/7 world, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. We’re pushed to work harder, take care of our family, and keep up with current events along with a constant social media stream. 
Expectations are high all the way around.
Pico Iyer, a lifelong travel writer says ““In an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow. And in an age of distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as sitting still.”
His Ted Talk video is well worth watching. It will inspire you with ways to take back your time in ways that will replenish your body, mind and soul.
https://www.ted.com/talks/pico_iyer_the_art_of_stillness?utm_source=tedcomshare&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tedspread
Why not take a few moments out right now? Here’s how …
- Turn your phone, TV, radio and other electronic devices off for a while.
- Focus your attention on the moment by breathing fully and mindfully. It is calming and refreshing for your nerves and it will light up your energy. Try out yoga’s ocean-sounding breath (ujjaya breath).
- Blink your eyes a bunch of times till they water. The moisture will help your vision.
- Yawn. It cools the brain, gives you a burst of oxygen, and refreshes your eyesight and hearing. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch some flies.
- Take a “2-hour nap in less than 1o minutes.“
- Give “The Inner Eye of Awareness Meditation” a shot.
- Add your own ___________________________.
- Bone up on mindfulness. It’s easy with this “Stop ~~ Look ~~ Listen” meditation.
- You guessed it, practice yoga nidra – yogic sleep. It’s totally replenishing. Experience yoga nidra at a virtual class with Julie Lusk, author of Yoga Nidra Meditations and 5 more books and dozens of recordings.
“union” or “joining”. Although there are several branches of yoga (Raja, Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and others) Hatha yoga refers to achieving the union of the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual selves through the practice of physical postures and special breathing techniques. For those interested, yoga can go beyond the physical exercises to incorporate dietary recommendations, meditation, service to others, philosophy, and moral and ethical guidelines for living. Yoga is neither a sport nor religion.