I have been asking students, “How often is your head and your feet in the same place?” Meaning how often are you being present. Or, is your body in one place, and your head in the clouds with thoughts of the future or the past?

I was recently teaching a class, and one person replied, “I am a mom of three small children, my head and feet are never in the same place. I am always thinking of what I need to do next.”

Can you relate? For example, you are driving home, and all of the sudden, you realize you’re in the driveway. And, you wonder how you got there? Well, you were on automatic pilot, and your head was elsewhere.

How would you answer this question for yourself? Can you take a shower, and feel the water all over your body, or are you making check lists in your mind of what needs to be done that day?

Are you aware of when your head and feet are not in the same room? Or, is it habitual, maybe something that you picked up from our society. Our culture has a way of wanting us to be more productive, so we can consume more, be more, etc.

The next time you are with young children, notice and observe their presence. They do not contemplate what they need to do later that day, or if the “should” do a thing. They simply live from moment-to-moment. It’s really beautiful.

So how did we get from there to where we currently are as adults? I am sure there are as many answers as there are people. Maybe it began when our feelings were not embraced when we were little. (i.e. crying or yelling for attention) Instead we were told be quiet.

How can we bring more presence in our life now?
• first, be aware of when our head is elsewhere
• take conscious deep breaths throughout the day
• practice active listening, instead of thinking of what you are going to say
• being kind and compassionate to yourself
• laugh at the absurdities of your life
• walk outside barefoot and ground
• and of course, practice your favorite qigong moves to ground and recenter you.

Want to reset for the autumn season? Join us Friday night, September 22, 2023 from 6:30-8:30 for qigong and a sound bath.

“Wherever you are, be there totally.”
~Eckhart Tolle