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I am creating these "Yoga Extras" blog posts for those of you resonating with the public yoga classes & Yoga Teacher Trainings I am leading. Inside of these blog posts you will find extra resources that support our weekly class theme. The weekly classes I guide are themed according to the season & collective energetic "weather"–This is of course influenced by many things; for instance, not only national and global events but how masses of people are feeling about and reacting to those events. It is also influenced by space weather (see spaceweather.com) & the current movement/placement of celestial bodies ie: the sun, moon, planets, nodes, stars, etc. You can find me teaching currently at Black Swan Yoga (North-Anderson) in Austin, TX. I am on the schedule as "Erika K." Mention this webpage for a free class.
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Hi loves!
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I'm glad to be back in town so I can see all ya'll. The trip was so super fun so there will probably be more of that in the near-ish future. If you want to keep up with what I'm thinking about in the world (that I bring into our weekly class themes) I'm posting on Tik Tok these days (@erikak). Also, put your email on the "Landing Page" on the Home page of this website so you can receive a newsletter I put out occasionally.
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See you soon. Big Love.
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Click the image below for the music from this week's class:
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For this week's reading, see below.
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Stress is a sign that you’ve lost the present moment. The next moment has become more important than life itself.
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The present moment is reality.
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If you are not really enjoying while you pursue the goal, whatever it is in your life, if you are not enjoying the doing because you are so focused on the goal, having this obsessive focus on arriving or becoming or achieving at some future point, so that the enjoyment of the doing is so greatly diminished or disappears completely because all you want to do is arrive,
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but you’re not there yet…that’s the nature of stress. How stress arises. Stress means that there is a continuous focus on the next moment. You are torn away internally from the present moment. This is produced in the human mind through thinking into a non-existent, because future never exists, you are torn away into a so-called future which is a never never land…because it can never arrive. The moment it becomes a reality in your life, it is the present moment.
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So by having this excessive focus on becoming or arriving or achieving,
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you lose completely
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the being dimension
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& then your life is completely out of balance.
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EVEN IF you achieve in the eyes of the world fame or wealth or worldly success & yet you are a frustrated & unhappy human being
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perhaps pretending that you are happy,
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but you’re not
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& you have to
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take drugs or alcohol or
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go from one relationship to another
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or compulsively pursue the next thing and the next thing or
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accumulate more of this and this and this,
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and that’s not a mastery of life.
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Our purpose here is to have that balance, and here the emphasis of course of this teaching is on finding awareness of being which is why I talk so much about the present moment. The moment your attention goes fully into the present moment, you have withdrawn your attention from becoming and doing. What arises is the being dimension.
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Eckert Tolle
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Below are writing prompts based on the above reading.
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Here are some writing prompts inspired by Eckhart Tolle's words on stress, the present moment, and the pursuit of happiness:nn
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Personal Reflection: Write about a time in your life when you were overly focused on achieving a future goal. How did this focus affect your ability to enjoy the present moment? What did you learn from that experience?
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Character Development: Create a character who is obsessed with achieving success in their career. Describe their journey and how their constant focus on the future impacts their relationships, health, and happiness. How do they eventually find balance?
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Mindfulness Practice: Write a guide on how to incorporate mindfulness and present-moment awareness into daily life. Include practical tips, personal anecdotes, and the benefits of living in the now.
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Fictional Story: Imagine a world where people have lost the ability to perceive the present moment, always living in anticipation of the future. Describe the societal impacts and the journey of a protagonist who rediscovers the power of now.
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Philosophical Essay: Explore the concept of "being" versus "doing" in the context of modern life. How does our culture's emphasis on productivity and achievement contribute to stress? What changes can individuals and societies make to foster a more balanced existence?
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Dialogue: Write a conversation between two friends, one who lives in the present and enjoys each moment, and another who is constantly striving for future success. How do their perspectives differ? What advice do they offer each other?
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Memoir: Reflect on your own life and write about moments when you felt truly present and content. Contrast these with times when you were stressed and focused on the future. What insights have you gained about living a balanced life?
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Letter to Your Future Self: Write a letter to your future self about the importance of staying present. Include reminders about what truly matters and advice on how to maintain balance and happiness.
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Poetry: Compose a poem that captures the essence of being in the present moment. Use imagery and metaphors to convey the peace and fulfillment that come from mindfulness.
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Analytical Essay: Analyze the impact of technology and social media on our ability to stay present. How do these tools contribute to a future-focused mindset, and what strategies can we use to mitigate their effects?
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