The spell of life and disconnection

I went to an EPIC 3D movie last weekend and had a blast. It was loud, the seat vibrated, the screen was huge and absorbing and the story was fun, sad, exciting, dramatic. 
 
It was almost completely absorbing (not quite, the 3D glasses were really heavy!). I sort of disappeared and got caught up in the story and had a great time. 
 

Disconnection from ourselves 
Disconnection from ourselves happens more when we are engaging in lots of busy, external activities. Work, looking after family and friends, engaging in entertainment (3D movies!) that take us out of ourselves.
 
Arguably, modern life is more disconnected ever. Our lives are more and more mediated by screens and our entertainment is more passive, less sociable and less physical.​

 Connection and Yoga practice
Yoga talks about connection. Connecting with your body and breath and feeling fully into what there is to notice from an internal perspective. Becoming more embodied, focused, and aware of what you are doing moment by moment. 
 
 
Connection vs. getting lost in thought
There is an important yet subtle distinction to feeling and becoming more connected with yourself, but not feeling lost in your thoughts.
 
Aiming to connect with yourself with conscious awareness. Realising that being absorbed in your ruminations may not always be helpful. Daydreaming has it's place but not getting stuck there. Having the ability to be absorbed in intentional problem solving and placing your attention skilfully is important. This skilful discernment and detachment is a difference worth practicing.  
 
 
More healthy, skilful and clear in body and mind
Consistent yoga practice over time helps us become more intentional and skilful with our bodies and minds. The follow on from this, is becoming more clear about how we relate to our lives, how aware we are, and how we move through our days without being as reactive.
 
We can make more skilful choices, which leads to better health and lifestyle.
 
On the mat we learn to feel the body move and breathe, feel the toes and fingers, the heels and hips, shoulders and furrowed brows, breath, and everything in between.
 
We can all practice this and getter more skilful at it. From there we can learn to notice more subtle thoughts and impulses which arise in the body and mind. This helps us gain some say over which thoughts we respond to, and which thoughts we choose to ignore. 
 

Take a few minutes to get reconnected, every day 
If you feel disconnected to your day, find a few minutes, and simply move and breathe consciously. Do some yoga practice.
 
It doesn't have to be hard but it does need to get your attention. This will reset your day, your awareness, your connection to yourself, and the rest of the day will unfold with you feeling more present and in control (of yourself at least, even if the day is running away with itself). 
 
Enjoy your yoga.​