Logged (On)
Posted: February 19, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, compassion, exercise, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, happiness, health, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, passion, perspective, recovery, running, trail running, walking, whole foods, yoga 15 CommentsI believe that truth has only one face: that of a violent contradiction-
Social Experiment: Arrive 5-10 minutes early to your next yoga class and simply look around the parking lot, take a moment to observe how many people are on their phones – doing whatever – instead of walking inside, setting up their mats and chatting with their fellow students. People can’t even use the restroom anymore without feeling the need to stay connected. A symphony of sounds, beeps and buzzes coming from the people around you … Who does #2 really work for?!?
…
Last summer I asked myself, aloud, midway through a series of asanas at home one afternoon: Do you need to have your gadget on to feel connected? Can you truly practice mindfulness if you are constantly accessible to the rest of the world?
My intention during this time was to make “exercise” <– whatever that may be … A time to connect with myself, leaving the distractions and stress of my day behind. This so-called “tech curfew” quite literally took my breath away during a long, flowing summer ride and while practicing at home. Less time looking up poses to contort and twist myself into and more time being, me. Riding down hills now, head up, smiling, feeling the cool breeze racing past. I don’t need a computer cluttering up the bars to let me know how fast I am going.
…
At first you may be uncomfortable with how naked you feel as you go about your everyday activities. Although, after the initial shock withers away, you will be pleasantly surprised as to how liberating it is … Not being connected.
Daily Meditation:
Make today a day worth remembering. Without having to chronicle your adventures on Vine …
CultFit 
🙂
I’m glad to hear you were able to get out and splash around yesterday!!!
You, too! What an awesome day!
YES!!! Being disconnected allows for true connection to what I’m doing in that moment. I just need a little more practice, so thanks for the inspiration :))))
Perfect practice, makes perfect … Or something like that 😉
I want to take a moment to say – Thank You. It means a lot to me having you over, reading, commenting and engaging in what at times seems like trivial topics of discussion. These “simple things” truly add up up in our lives.
I was first initially baffled, and then pleasantly surprised to find my Yoga students coming to class earlier and earlier. Some arrive at class 40 minutes early … which, of course, forces me to arrive even earlier to prepare the studio for them. I couldn’t figure out why at first, but then I saw that they liked to check in with each other before class, and as they took off their shoes at the door and hung up their coats, I noticed such a sense of relief in a few as they turned off their cell phones and smart phones — it was a noticeable sense of a technology burden being lifted from their shoulders. Their Yoga practice — in the form of Pratyahara — begins as soon as they touch that “OFF” button. Realizing that made me much happier to come to the studio even earlier to be ready for their arrivals! 🙂
With your permission, I would like to share your inspiring comment in an upcoming post. Rarely am I at a loss of words, right now is one of those moments. 🙂
Yes, please do share as you like! You may also say that I freely admit that, at first, I was a little annoyed at having to come to class so early to allow them to settle in 40 minutes before class. Clearly, I was a little too caught up in my own noisy day to see, at first, how helpful it would be for me, too, to turn things off and come to my studio an hour early.
But, then, my students teach me lessons every time I see them … they’re wily that way! 🙂
Thank you for your nice post which allowed me to share yet another story about the many students who inspire me so richly!
I’ve been pretty connected to my phone..but lately I’ve been just setting it down in another room and “forgetting” it. This is mostly due to my annoying boss calling and texting me all all hours of the day…but when I “forget” about my phone it lets me just be in the moment with whoever is in that moment with me. It’s been very nice.
I’m happy to hear this! Our phones really are an electronic leash … Keep up your amazing and inspiring work, and trust me when I say it does not go unnoticed!
Well, I kinda adore vine… my vines though… haha…
My vines keep me connected with myself 😉
I keep trying to disconnect, realizing that it is something that would greatly benefit me… but I find it to be really challenging! Amazing how it has changed us culturally. I guess I just have to keep trying!
Like you mentioned – It boils down to trying. Being aware of the grip it has on your lives if the first step. After that, play around and see what works best for you. 🙂
*Thank you for the email – Wishing you the very best!!!*
[…] of unfettered honesty: Writing and discussing the concepts of Seva, Karma Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation are seemingly tedious and self-serving. I acknowledged and respect, that I have […]
After exploring a handful of the blog articles on
your website, I seriously like your way of blogging.
I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark site list
and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site too and let
me know what you think.