Over the past few weeks in our yoga classes in Rugby, we’ve been exploring presence in our yoga practice—learning to really be here, with what’s happening in each moment. Presence isn’t always easy; it’s something we cultivate slowly, bit by bit, both on the mat and in life. Our weekly classes have helped us look at presence in different ways and notice where we can bring more awareness into our practice.
Week 1: Presence in Postures
We started by paying attention to our postures. It’s easy to rush through poses or focus on how we “look” from the outside. This week was about tuning into what’s happening inside—how our muscles stretch, how our bodies support us, and how it feels to fully inhabit each pose. Presence in postures is simply showing up for your body, moment by moment.
Week 2: Presence in the Breath
Next, we turned inward to the breath. This class reminded us that following the natural rhythm of our inhalations and exhalations anchors us in the present. Breath guides the body, calms the mind, and creates a gentle rhythm for the practice. Being present in the breath allows us to move with awareness and ease.
Week 3: Presence in Transitions
This week, we looked at the moments between poses. Transitions are often overlooked, but moving mindfully between poses keeps us connected and aware. Presence isn’t only in the big moments; it lives in the small, in-between spaces too.
Week 4: Presence in Balance
Balance asks for a different kind of attention. Staying present in balance is about trust—trust in your body, in yourself, and in the moment. It teaches patience, steadiness, and focus, reminding us to stay grounded even when life feels wobbly.
Week 5: Presence in Stillness
For our final week, we explored presence in stillness. This could mean holding a pose a little longer, pausing in meditation, or simply noticing what arises when we pause. Stillness gives us space to settle and lets awareness deepen naturally.
Bringing it All Together
Through this series, we’ve seen that presence isn’t something to “achieve”—it’s something to practise. It’s in the way we hold our bodies, the rhythm of our breath, the care in our movements, the focus in our balance, and the openness in stillness. Presence is about showing up for ourselves, right here, right now, and letting that awareness gently carry us into our everyday lives.
Presence off the mat
It’s one thing to find presence while we’re on the mat, moving slowly, breathing deeply, settling into stillness. But it can be a whole different story once we step back into daily life. That’s where the real practice begins.
For me, presence isn’t about being calm all the time or having everything together. It’s more about noticing what’s really happening in each moment. Sometimes that’s feeling the warmth of my morning cuppa before the day gets going, taking a deep breath before answering an email, or really listening when someone’s speaking instead of thinking about what’s next.
Those little moments remind me that life isn’t something to rush through, it’s something to actually experience. And when I do catch myself racing ahead (which happens often enough!), a slow breath or a quiet pause is usually all it takes to come back.
Over time, those small pauses seem to stitch a bit more steadiness into everyday life, a reminder that even when things feel full or fast, there’s still space to be grounded, to be here, to be present.
Whether you’re on the mat or off it, you can bring a little more presence into your day. Take a moment to notice, breathe, and really be where you are—it’s often the simplest moments that matter the most.