What is mindfulness and how can you start to build into your own practice?
Mindfulness. You’ve probably heard about it before. Maybe you’ve even started to build your own meditation practice, or you’re a regular in the Frame yoga studios. But with all the (legit) hype out there about the benefits of mindfulness meditation, you might have skipped over the basics: what is mindfulness? How do you start to build your own practice? And how can you incorporate some mindfulness into your regular Framer routine?
With these questions in mind, we’ve put together a short guide for you on the basics of mindfulness (you’re welcome Framer).
What is mindfulness?
Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of being present. It’s sometimes described as the ability to be here, in the present moment, without being too reactive or judgmental. Sounds easy, but it’s actually pretty difficult to stay present. Mindfulness offers a number of practical exercises to help you work on the art of present-moment awareness.
Is mindfulness the same as meditation?
Mindfulness is often described as a type of meditation practice. But you don’t need any special equipment or long periods of quiet time – you can practice mindfulness as you go about your daily life. Examples of mindful practice include mindful eating, mindful walking and mindful movement (yep, yoga – but also any fitness class that you do with a ‘mindful’
awareness).
Here are a couple of ways you can bring a mindful edge to your regular Framer timetable…
1) Start by choosing your class with a mindful intention. As you scroll the timetable,
take a second to check in with yourself. How are you doing? What kind of mood are you in? What kind of movement does your body feel like taking today?
2) Once you’ve figured out what you feel like doing, use the Frame mood filter to figure out which class best meets you where you’re at. The filter works best if you get specific and honest about what kind of vibe you’re feeling (and trust the results!).
3) Before class kicks off, take a couple of seconds to breathe and connect with your breath. If you’re in yoga or Pilates, the teacher will usually cue this for you – but even if you’re heading into barre or box-fit, take your time to settle into the space.
Just three really deep breaths – focusing on every aspect of the inhale and exhale – can be a powerful reminder to stay present.
4) During the class, keep checking in with your body. What feels good? What feels
difficult? Whatever it feels like, just notice. The point isn’t really to “do” anything with the feeling. Just let it be there: the practice of mindfulness is simply to observe it, be present with it, and experience it fully.
5) Final thing: as your wind down your class, come back to the breath. Notice if anything has changed from the start of your class – does the breath feel deeper, or calmer, or more spacious? Can you give yourself a few moments of stillness before you head back into your day? This is your life, after all – are you ready to be present for it?
Catch Yoga on the timetable now!