Practice in Presence
Ponderings from shavasana
It’s not easy existing within the world as of October 2025. When news headlines seem like onion articles and George Orwell novels on an hourly basis, it makes tapping out seem more and more attractive. In a world that profits off of keeping us rushing and distracted, we need more frequent practice in presence than ever; It’s one of our most powerful forms of resistance.
When I begin to descend into the rabbit hole of dissociation, yoga is my favorite way to return to myself, and lately I’ve needed to be on my mat much more than usual. Each class feels like the first time I’ve ever allowed my muscles to truly unclench, and the first time I’ve breathed into the deepest part of my lungs. Every day may bring a newly devastating headline, but for roughly an hour, I involute, I journey inward, I dive into my body.
While fighting to stay vertical during a recent balance pose, while my mind wandered to the ever pressing stressors of the world and my ever growing to-do list, one of my yoga instructors said: “Nature does not rush and yet everything is accomplished.” I closed my eyes, put a hand to my heart, and released the tension in my shoulders at these words. Nature doesn’t rush and yet everything is accomplished. I softened- mentally and physically. My mind grew quieter as I focused on one pose, and one breath, at a time.
Lately in the final resting pose at the end of each class, shavasana, I’ve been thinking about the utility of softness. I think of car crashes and being caught in tidal waves. While not the happiest of day dreams, they have one thing in common: softness can save your life. The more you resist in these moments, the more rigid your muscles, the more you rush to find a solution, the greater the risk of serious injury. Nature does not rush; at times, surrendering is a savior. I scan my body and allow my neck muscles to give into gravity, and my mind quiets, even if for just a few moments.
Lately in shavasana, I’ve been thinking about moss. I imagine myself sinking into the earth, thin green tendrils growing across every inch of my skin. I think of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s writing in Gathering Moss and Braiding Sweetgrass, and how she notes that nature keeps a delicate balance without intervention. Moss has been around for 450+ million years, surviving multiple mass extinction events. This impressive life form is extremely slow growing, and yet can completely desiccate in severe droughts and when its thirst is finally quenched with long overdue rain, it springs back to life. What holy resilience. Moss strengthens eco systems, cools our earth, produces oxygen and shows us slow processes are necessary in this world, and should not be rushed. Kimmerer implores us to worship ancient life as our teachers - to listen to what the earth, what the moss, has to offer us. I intend to listen. I imagine myself as moss, and my mind quiets. Nature does not rush.
Lately in shavasana, I’ve been thinking about the stability and flexibility of trees, and how we are constantly shown this duality in nature. A vast rooting system drinking in the world around it, anchoring a sturdy trunk to the earth. Branches extending up and out, just flexible enough to bend in the breeze, to change and be changed by the elements. The leaves grow taller and fuller to absorb more sun, creating necessary shade for those below. Then, when they’re ready (nature does not rush), they surrender to the autumn breeze, falling to the ground to then nourish the soil. The cycle goes on. It’s give and take, push and pull. I want to be grounded in my values, and always keep my mind flexible, to constantly learn and grow within and around my environment. I want to keep moving in cycles, not in circles. I want to give, and I don’t want to be ashamed to take, too. I imagine myself as a tree, and my mind quiets.
Lately in shavasana, I’ve been imagining myself as the different forms of earth. Solid stone, molten rock, and soft clay. When I’m solid stone, I’m steadfast in my values, I’m resolute, I’m ready to fight for what I believe in. However, in this rigidity, I may miss out on opportunities to be molded by the world around me. I don’t want a shielded mind and heart, as if an impenetrable object. When I’m magma, I’m quick to anger and bound by frustration. The fuse is too short to allow for learning and growing. When I’m clay, I have no shoulder tension; I’m ready to learn, I’m soft, I’m malleable and I can take in all of the information around me at my own pace. Nature does not rush. My life is richest and most exciting when I’m pliable. I want to wake up each day and shape myself over and over again, anew. I imagine myself as a shape shifter, and my mind quiets.
Lately in shavasana, I’ve been thinking of rivers. Eroding rock along their journey to forge new paths, transporting nutrients to and from the earth, and eventually connecting to something bigger than itself. Rivers can be slow and docile, or raging white water. I want to have the undeniable range that water does - rivers need lulls just as much as waves need to crash. An unstoppable force that is able to be soft and slow. Nature does not rush. What a magnificent teacher. I imagine my breath as a wave flowing in and out, and my mind quiets.
Lately in shivasana, I’ve realized I want to be a student of the earth the way I’m a student of yoga. I want to know when to hold my ground and when to soften. When to push forward and when to slow down. I want to stay malleable to all of the opportunities that await me. I want to be open to the endless twists and turns, constantly taking on new shapes. I want to allow myself to be new again day after day. I want to remember that nature does not rush.
While current events continue to be harrowing, the more I listen to my wonderful instructors, the natural world and the yoga instructors alike; the more I’ll be able to show up for my community and myself. The more I practice presence under these teachers, the more I can avoid rushing through life despondent. How are you practicing presence these days? What are your favorite ways to return to yourself? What teachers do you respect, and which do you choose to listen to?
All my love,
-Katie
Recs:
No Kings protests are happening around the country tomorrow, October 18th. Use this link to find a protest near you: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/
If you can’t protest, consider the following:
Repost photos of the protest & spread the word to those you know
Consider art activism - creating pieces to further the movement
You could make signs for those attending the protest!
Consider donating to organizations furthering anti fascist work in the US, like the Portland immigrant and refugee community organization (IRCO) and other grassroots organizations
Consider reading a banned book - education is one of our best forms of resistance ! Find a list of banned books and ways to fight the censorship of literature and free speech here: https://www.projectcensored.org/banned-books-week-landing-page/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22684187681&gbraid=0AAAAADpdF9WBjDmeOEJd8Y1yCCbolL61g&gclid=CjwKCAjw0sfHBhB6EiwAQtv5qVW_x0XhgmpVtKKeK6WInncLuFQr9ajJJz0mbyUaC9_Gu6FMKJAMKxoC9NwQAvD_BwE
Music Recs:
Olivia Dean’s new album “The Art of loving” …. 5 stars, no notes, favorite album of 2025.
Lola Young’s new album “I’m Only F**king Myself”
Olivia Reid’s new EP, “Space to Roam”
New Tattoo by Parrotfish
Yearn for You - Light by Golden Cats
Tennessee Heat by Katie Tupper
Fleeting by Sarah Kingsley
Do You Like Me by Miki Fiki
Serious by Indigo De Souza and Mothe
Constant Pleasure by Vindigo
Nothing Strange by The Rabbits
Look at This Love by Nick Lutsko
Small Talk by Hope Winter
Book Recs:
Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson - so spooky and captivating !
And They Were Roommates by Page Powars, so sweet <3
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez - so entertaining & light
Currently reading “I Love You, Bunny” by Mona Awad, the sequel to “Bunny” - it’s AMAZING so far, can’t wait to dive in more!