Mindful moments with Anne Miller, owner of Rooted Yoga

We hear the term "mindfulness" a lot, but what does it really mean? According to Mayo Clinic, mindfulness is an "act of being fully present and aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment — without interpretation or judgment."

Often when we think about adding to our daily lives it seems like a heavy task, but adding mindfulness to your day-to-day isn't as hard as it seems (plus, there's so many benefits to adding mindfulness to your routine).

Anne Miller, owner of Rooted Yoga in Columbia, SC, tells us more about adding mindfulness to our daily practice. 

Anne describes herself as "an open-minded and inclusive community builder." She had never considered owning her own studio, however she fell into it by accident when she was asked to lead a new yoga space.

"When that studio closed, I realized that I actually loved leading and running a community space where people felt connected, seen and accepted, and so Rooted Yoga was born."

While the Rooted community officially opened in 2017, she had been teaching yoga for 18 years around Columbia. Yoga is the core practice, but the bigger mission is to create a beautiful and inclusive community — a community that welcomes people where they are and as they are, and that empowers them to embrace the present moment of everyday life.

Anne's thoughts on mindfulness: 

“With mindfulness, you can establish yourself in the present in order to touch the wonders of life that are available in that moment.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Mindfulness is the ability to stay in the present moment and to focus your thoughts on what is happening in the here and now. 

Mindfulness can bring many benefits to your emotional and physical health as well as your relationships. It can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while improving sleep, and so much more.

It is easy to say you do not have time to be mindful — but you do! These techniques offer ways to enhance levels of being in the present moment without judgement or criticism. The mind can be focused, alert, and in a state of relaxed consciousness.

Like any new activity it takes practice, patience, and acceptance. No one is perfect when they first start practicing mindfulness so give yourself a break. Your mind will wander, know that you will forget, you will get frustrated, and you will wonder if the work is worth it. Accept, forgive, and move ahead.

There are many different ways of practicing mindfulness: meditation, movement, contemplation, a spiritual practice, being in nature, focusing only on the task at hand, reducing time engaged with technology and screens, or just pausing with no distractions or disturbances to breathe and be in the
present moment.

Three attributes will help practicing mindfulness:

* Attitude: Have an attitude that does not judge or critique, but inspires curiosity and contentment. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude, happiness,
and acceptance.

* Intention: Set an intention, so when your mind wanders it will come back to you intention. An intention should be short, doable, inspiring, creative, supportive, compassionate, and present moment. It is a word, thought, or phrase that supports and encourages you.

*Attention: Be in the present moment, observe and witness what is happening in the right here and now — this includes feelings, thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. 

So how do you make mindfulness an everyday practice? It is simple, yet difficult all at the same time: Slow down and pay attention (which isn't what society around us promotes).

Take an everyday activity and do it slowly, focus only on the activity at hand, pay attention to the small experiences, and all the sensory communications that make up the activity.

* Morning awakening: Spend a few minutes stretching and moving, take 10 deep full body breaths, appreciate the new day, set an attitude and intention of gratitude.

Decide what your self care practice will be for the day and schedule it (mark it on your calendar in ink).

* Eating: Turn off all external stimulus. Take small bites and chew at least 10 chews. Notice the tastes, texture, temperatures, and consistency in
your mouth.

* Mid-day: Pause and be still. No technology or multitasking. Just be still and take deep full body breaths. Place your attention to a place in your
mind or body. Give permission for that place to be happy, relaxed, and comfortable. Feel the breath going to the spot. Let the breath, not the force of the ego, guide the spot to finding rest and contentment in the present moment .

At some point in the day go outside for a few minutes. The best time is first thing in the morning to take 2-10 minutes outside in the sun. If not in the morning, anytime during the day is fine. No technology.

Take a slow walk paying attention to and being aware of all the internal and external stimulus and information.

Spend some time in comfortable conversation with another person. Find a comfortable and easy place to talk. Give that person your undivided attention, no technology, no interruptions. Respond from a place of authentic love and acceptance.

Finish the day at least 30 minutes before bed without screens. Read a book, do gentle stretching, sit in the quiet of the night, meditate, or say prayers.

Mindfulness asks you to slow down whatever tasks you are doing. Quiet the space, take some deep breaths, let go of or reduce the impact of external input. Take time to enjoy life just as it is. Learn, love, and live from a grounded place of your true unchanging place of deep internal mindfulness.

Follow along with Anne via her Instagram, @annemilleryoga and stay posted for upcoming classes and workshops via @rootedyogasc.