I have been having some Alexander Technique lessons with some of my colleagues recently, and I am amazed how much I need to be reminded of being in the present and not constantly “planning ahead”.  In other words, finding places I can give myself time and be conscious of when I’m tensing, rushing, etc.

So I started paying attention to the places I am more present. Where I am really aware of how I am moving in my everyday patterns of walking, sitting, standing, computer work, playing my violin, and on and on….and where I am “tensing” and “stiffening” to get a result.

For me, presence is when I “have time”, and that I am not reaching for a deadline, or something outside of myself.  We call this “end gaining”, and even though it is more apparent when their is a narrow focus or concentration of a “result”, I also find it shows up for me in many situations.

I actually even rehearse in my mind what I am doing next in my day:

• Getting out of bed…as I think of…
• Taking a shower…as I think of…
• What will I wear…as I think of…
• What will I have for breakfast…as I think of…
• When is my first appointment…as I think of…
• What will I teach in my yoga class this afternoon…as I think of………

Soooo, all these are “end gains” looking for something outside of my self, in the above examples…planning ahead in my “head” (interesting metaphor)!  What if I was present in the moment of “getting out of bed” being gentle and finding ease;  taking a shower and sensing the soothing warm water; exploring my closet and enjoying the colors and textures; oh, and could I enjoy the sensation of eating my breakfast knowing I have “time”?

I am going to find places today where I can give my self “time” – it is a choice! My aim would be to find more “present” spaces of being and less rushed “result driven” times.