“I’m sorry, the number you have reached has been temporarily disconnected”.   You wanna know why?  It’s because your Yoga teacher is tired of your phone singing, ringing, chiming, beeping, and buzzing.  The next time it goes off in the middle of class I am going to remove the battery and disconnect you from society for the next 58 minutes. 

“O.M.G.  But I’ll miss the text from the cute guy at work.  What if my Twitter account disowns me?   aaahhhh!  Can I survive the next 57 minutes??”  The answer is ‘yes’.

I am a fairly easy-going Yoga instructor, especially since I know there are a couple of military wives in class who have limited access to their spouse.  I get that.  However, when we move into Child’s Pose and you grab your piece of technology, you’d better be texting God!  Speaking of which, did you know that God has a FB account??  At least, I think so… everyone keeps praying via their FB post (I always thought it was more of a bow your head, fold your hands sorta thing).  I keep hoping God will hit the ‘Like’ button… that would be cool!

Why do we have to be sooo connected?  Are we really THAT important, or do we actually feel unnoticed and crave that extrensic validation?  Why can’t we let it go?   I am guilty too.  Especially since I started this blog, it feels like each spare moment is spent playing around online.  There are times that I must force myself to spend a day away from the computer.  When I log back on, the messages are comical… but it is nice to know that others notice when I am gone.  lol  However, it is time well spent, reconnecting to my immediate surroundings.  I look at Yoga class the same way, it’s nice to get away from all the distractions and reconnect with ourselves. 

But modern technology distracts us from being present in each moment and focused during our yoga practice.  Distractions include, but are not limited to, gidgets, gadgets, phones and anything with a keyboard or screen. If there is nothing earth-shattering pending in your life, please leave it in the car or turn it off.  I always cue to let go of stress and tension, I guess I should to add ‘technology’ to my list.  Especially the BlueTooth thingamabob!  I can’t tell you how often I think someone is talking to me, so I turn around to converse, but they wave me off and point to the side of their head… ‘hmph, silly me’.   I just never know who is talking to me, talking to themselves, or talking to their earpiece.   If we ever meet, and I look at your ears before your eyes, forgive me.  

Are we gonna look back at our life and really care what the next post on Facebook, Twitter or text was; or are we gonna wonder what important connection or opportunity we missed with our loved ones, with ourselves….

Disconnect and enjoy Shanti’

Namaste’

Carrisa