Mindfulness is a simple concept. It’s the opposite of being on “autopilot”. Being mindful means being right where you are in this very moment. It’s noticing the sounds, sights, and sensations around you. It’s feeling the power of each inhale and the cleansing of each exhale as the air moves through your lungs.
The rationale behind mindfulness is beautiful. As humans, we should strive to appreciate the moment we’re in, since it’s always now. And now matters as much as any future moments that you’re planning for or stressing about. Ultimately, mindfulness is important because your whole life has happened and will continue to happen in a flow of moments that can only be experienced as they occur.
Mindfulness is noticing when your mind is racing or wandering and releasing rumination over the past; releasing any worry about the future. Mindfulness is letting the beauty of life live in the little things, like the feel of a breeze or the sound of the birds chirping. Mindfulness is living each moment fully - being alive while you’re alive.
There are several techniques used to become more mindful in day to day life. One of the most common is using the power of your breath to bring your mind to the present. While there are lots of ways to focus yourself into being more mindful, I’m a fan of the things that are just so much fun that they naturally amplify the present moment. Like SUP yoga. When I practice or teach SUP yoga, I can’t help but become mindful. It anchors me into the space and present moment. Paddleboarding, and especially SUP yoga, are such an effective way to drop completely into right now.
Why, you ask? For starters, when practicing yoga on a paddleboard, you have to be focused and present, noticing how the water is moving beneath you and noticing how the paddleboard responds to each movement. That intensity of focus leaves no room for your mind to wander.
Next, you have yogic breathing. Synching breath to movement is not only a commonly used mind-body connection for yoga, but it also helps to steady yourself on the board and settle into the flow. This deepened connection between the breath and movements brings you more fully into the now.
And let’s not forget about the relaxing effect of being in nature. Being in nature naturally leads to mindfulness because feeling the sunshine on your skin or the feel of a breeze brings your awareness to the present moment in a visceral way. On the paddleboard, you have all of the effects of nature plus an extra level of tuning into it as you become aware of the water flowing. You are reminded that you are part of that flow as you feel your board moving with it.
I appreciate all of the beautiful moments spent flowing on my board. I appreciate getting to share that experience with friends and clients. I appreciate the way that mindfulness has come off the mat (ok, board) and trickled into my everyday life. I appreciate that I’ve found my flow. And I appreciate that I get to keep finding that flow again and again.
