“If only I had more time!” Odds are you’ve said (or thought) this phrase at least once in your life. We live in a culture where it seems like we have to constantly be moving, constantly accomplishing tasks and goals. After all, that’s how we make the most of our time. Isn’t it? A recent report about shortening the length of a minute reminded us that the only way to truly feel like we have more time is by slowing down. Here we discuss how yoga can change your perception of time by helping you become mindful and fully present in the moment.
What? Shortening the Minute to 59 Seconds?
We already struggle with feeling like there’s just not enough time to do everything we need and want to do. If you’re like us, when you heard that atomic clock scientists want to shorten the minute from 60 seconds to 59 seconds (as reported in the New York Post), it may have been a little bit hard to swallow. We can’t afford to lose any more time! That may be how it feels, but let’s look at why these scientists believe the timing of a minute should be calculated differently.
The Earth is spinning at a faster speed, and atomic clock scientists want to make up for this increased speed by aligning time with the Earth’s real rotation. The faster rotation means we’ve been having some of the shortest days in history. The leap seconds that scientists want to add (or in this case, subtract) are meant to help lengthen the days.
While days with more sunshine sounds fantastic, it sparks thoughts about how fleeting and volatile time can feel. Is it possible to “make” more time? In a way, yes, we believe so! Yoga is one way to slow down time so you don’t feel like life is blazing by.
Change Your Perception of Time
Yoga has the power to change our perception of time. Because we feel the pressure of not having enough time, this is exactly why we should all carve out a few moments a week to attend yoga classes. Yoga brings an inner stillness that helps you evaluate and view your life in a nonjudgmental, realistic way. It teaches you to slow down and become more present.
How Yoga Gives You a Sense of More Time
If you’ve ever felt your muscles shake in a pose, you know the struggle it can be to embrace the pain and not internally shout for the yoga instructor to release you from the pose. With a continual commitment to stepping onto the mat, your muscles will strengthen, and this shakiness will subside. Similarly, when you commit to allowing yourself to acknowledge and experience all the good and bad in life, you’ll learn how to take it moment by moment. This practice will give you the feeling of having more time.
With yoga, you can also learn to appreciate and embrace the passing of time. This mindfulness can teach you to enjoy the pleasures in life (and not worry about them ending) and help you handle uncomfortable, stressful moments (rather than counting every second for them to be over). Instead of thinking words such as “hurry up” or “quickly,” incorporate words and phrases such as “patiently” and “take your time” into your yoga practice and in your daily routine. This will remind you to slow down. After all, we only miss out on life when we try to cram too much into our day. Yoga helps you adopt a thoughtful mindset that allows you to recognize nothing truly bad will happen if you take a few moments to breathe.
Create More Time with Yoga
Creating more time in your day involves adopting a different mindset because, of course, you can’t physically change how much time you have (even if scientists implement a leap second!). If you feel like time is getting away from you, sign up for a yoga class. The mindfulness you practice in yoga will ground you in the present, and this mindfulness will follow you through everything you do in life. You’ll be able to look back on your day (or year) and feel that you were fully present, rather than wondering where all that time went.
Our virtual yoga sessions are designed to connect you with your mind, body, and spirit. Join the following teachers at 12:30-1:30 PM on the weekdays for a mid-day breather:
- Monday: Lea
- Tuesday: Stephen
- Wednesday: Julian
- Friday: Stephen (30 minutes)
Check out the class schedule here for the bios of each of these teachers to find the one that matches your yoga experience and needs.
If you can’t make a live class, we offer flex viewing with our monthly membership so you can still enjoy all of our classes on your own time – whether that’s before the crack of dawn, during your lunch break, or right before bed. If you’d like to get a sense of even more time, consider doing yoga outdoors – nature can do wonders for your wellbeing. By taking time for yoga, you’ll be making time in the long run by teaching yourself to stay fully present. Register to join Health Yoga Life’s yoga classes today!