Yesterday is but a dream

Tomorrow is only a vision.

But today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

We spend a lot of time looking to the future, planning ahead, preparing to do lists, deciding what we are going to do on the weekend and where we are going on our next holiday. Thinking about everything we are looking forward to.

And if we aren’t looking forward we tend to be living back in the past, recollecting or reliving past events and situations whilst (re)experiencing all of the feelings and emotions that go with those memories.

This can lead us to a near-constant state of dissatisfaction and clinging to narratives such as “next time I’ll deal with that situation differently and I’ll be better” or “I’ll be happy when XYZ happens”…

The chances are when XY or Z actually does happen, we’ll be too busy planning ahead to the next big thing that’s going to make us happy and, as a result, we miss out on the moment and the joy that can be experienced in the present.

Life is happening. Right now, as you read this. It’s not a trial run, there aren’t any second chances or do overs if we blink and miss it. This is where the practise of meditation can help us to get the most out of our time here.

Being mindful; becoming attune to your current experience; systematically scanning your environment in a calm and non-judgemental way; being present; whatever you want to call it - takes practise. It’s not a switch we can flick on or off when it suits us (sadly).

By nature, our minds are inquisitive, creative, busy, sometimes obsessive, easily distracted and often sidetracked. You might have heard of the monkey mind - swinging from thought to thought, never slowing down.

I’m the first to admit I found/find seated meditation a challenge. The first time I really made myself sit down to attempt it, I spent 15 minutes thinking about how my back hurt, my foot was numb and that I couldn’t wait to move my legs again. I had fleeting moments where I was focused on my breathing, but overall that first time didn’t really work do it for me and I avoided trying it again for a long time.

It didn’t occur to me at the time that meditation can look different for everyone. And that if sitting still in lotus doesn’t work for you - then you can practise it another way.

My revelation came when I tried a Restorative Yoga class. This was a way I could be physically at ease, well supported by blankets, bolsters etc and still practise meditation. I came out of the class more relaxed, calm and in the zone than I’d ever been. The guided meditations throughout the class give you an anchor in the present to come back to (breath, body and the teachers voice), and the props keep your body comfortable and well supported so there are minimal physical distractions.

Some people have a great experience with practising seated meditation/mindfulness on their own - power to you if that is you! There are also some great apps (Headspace, Insight Timer) that you can use if you are doing self practise.

However, if you have tried it and are finding the whole experience a bit challenging, or perhaps you would just like a little guidance, dip your toe into the world of mindfulness meditation in a Yin Yoga & Meditation or Restorative Yoga & Meditation Class.

Its a supportive environment, with guided meditations and techniques and tips for taking it off the mat and bringing more mindfulness into your day to day life.