Slower
In a world that constantly tells us to move faster, do more, and stay busy, slowing down becomes a radical, healing choice. We were looking at shifting gears in this practice — to move slower, to breathe deeper, and to become more present in each moment. Vinyasa is often associated with heat, rhythm, and flow — but slowing the pace doesn’t mean we lose intensity. In fact, slowing down allows us to feel more, connect more, and choose more consciously how we move.
Moving slower gives the body time to adjust, the breath time to deepen, and the mind space to settle. We become more attuned to what’s happening now — whether that’s the sensation in a pose, the pattern of our breath, or the whispers of our own intuition.
“Slowing down is sometimes the most productive thing you can do.” – Mark Black
In this practice we:
- Paused more often between poses
- Held postures just that little bit longer
- Moved intentionally with the breath
- Noticed where we rush — and explored what happens when we don’t
We were engaging with awareness. We were noticing if we could feel the difference when we moved slowly, when we took our time, when we truly arrived in each shape.
Like a moving meditation — a reminder that slower doesn’t mean less, it means more presence, more choice, more space.
So… What Is Presence?
Presence is the art of being fully here. Not half in your to-do list, not caught up in the past or anxiously leaning into the future – but rooted in the now. In a world that celebrates busy-ness, presence is a quiet rebellion. It’s the decision to stop multi-tasking your way through life and instead feel it, notice it, live it.
Yoga is a practice in presence. Every breath we take, every pose we move into, every sensation we notice – it’s all guiding us back into our bodies and into this moment.
Presence is found:
- In the pause at the top of an inhale
- In the trembling legs of a long-held lunge
- In the moment of stillness before you move again
- These are not just parts of a Yoga class — they are metaphors for how we can live.
Questions we reflected on during class:
- Where in your life could you benefit from slowing down?
- Do you notice the urge to rush through discomfort?
- What does it feel like to really be in your body, without distraction or hurry?
In Yoga, we’re taught to move with the breath, not to rush into the next pose, but to fully experience the one we’re in. That’s the essence of presence: being where your body is, not where your mind is racing off to.
When we slow down on the mat, we give ourselves permission to feel, to notice, to respond instead of reacting. The same applies off the mat. Life often moves quickly – but yoga reminds us that slowness is where awareness lives. It’s in the pause between movements, in the spaciousness between thoughts, that we find clarity.
Moving slower through life isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing things with more intention. When we rush, we miss the details. We miss ourselves. But when we slow down, we return to presence, and presence is where peace, truth, and connection live.
“Yoga doesn’t just change the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
So, whether you’re flowing on your mat or navigating your day, let Yoga be your reminder: there is wisdom in the pause, and depth in the slow.
Presence makes the ordinary sacred. A walk becomes meditation. A meal becomes gratitude. A conversation becomes a connection.
Presence isn’t about perfection. It’s not about being “zen” all the time. It’s about noticing when you drift – and gently coming back. Again, and again.
That’s Yoga. That’s life. That’s the gift of being here now.
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
And as always, thank you for coming to class.
KP x
