I had a mother and daughter come to yoga class.  It was the daughter’s first yoga class, ever.  The mother admitted that she was “in and out”.  

Soon after we got on our feet, I felt a lot of pressure to “work” them out.  

The rest of the students were regular practitioners, and so they knew not to take their tadasana (mountain pose) for granted.  

The rest of the class closed their eyes as instructed.  Grounded their feet from toes to heels.  Relaxed their shoulders, face.  But the mother and her daughter continued to look at me.  Waiting.  Just waiting…  to BEGIN.

We are ALREADY in yoga.  

“Stay Right Here with me.  In the PRESENT”, I requested once more.  

I continued:  Yoga is being in the Present Moment…  It’s tough…  I know…  We tend to live in the Future…  One day ahead…  Hours ahead…  Or in the Past…  Be HERE.  Right now.  Not 2 seconds before…  Not 2 seconds after…  Not even a half a second before… or a half a second after…  Be.  Here.  Now.  Body.  Mind.  Spirit Connection.  THAT is yoga.  

I continued some more.  Until finally — they stopped.  And STAYED in the moment.