64: All we have is the present moment (and how to build a practice to support that) with Laura Ahrens

Medium Well

In this episode, I chat with yoga teacher Laura Ahrens about how to cope with what’s going on in the world around us. We dive into why the present is really all we have, and how clear COVID-19 has made that for us, how to build your own contemplative practice, why resistance can be a good thing, how to find teachers, and more. It’s a beautiful conversation that is so insightful into how to deal with these times, and how to be present with it.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why this situation (COVID-19) is forcing us to be present and face uncertainty

• How to start a contemplative practice right now

• Laura’s recommended tools to be present and to give room for your emotions

• Why we feel resistance right now and how it can actually serve us

• How to make meditation work for you

• How to ensure you are investing your attention in the right places

• How to not get overly distracted right now with all the offerings, and why to focus on your practice

• Laura’s advice on being intentional in your practices

• How to find great teachers (yoga and beyond)

• Laura’s views on the cultural appropriation of yoga

• How to ensure a teacher is in it to serve, not for themselves

• Can we disassociate the teacher from the teachings?

• How to balance being a teacher and not being pushy on your agenda

• Why yoga teachers need to stay in their own lane

Mentioned in this episode:

• Sharon Salzberg’s Instagram post on washing hands to a loving-kindness meditation

All the deets:

• Check out Laura’s work, her upcoming events and virtual yoga classes on her website.

• Laura is offering 50% off private sessions to make yoga more accessible, and $5 off of the Meditation for Self-Compassion online series with code MEDIUMWELL.

• Say hi to Laura over on Instagram at @ahrensyoga.

• Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Laura on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!