Living in London is chaos. It's noisy, it's frantic, it's a city that is always moving and always on. For many Londoners these are the joys of the city, but at the same time are the things that can challenge the state of calm and balance in our everyday lives. Living here, we're prone to a busy lifestyle and the everyday anxieties that are part of the nine to five culture.
In reflection of myself, and a mix of friends from all around the city, there's a common thread that we all find ourselves always doing something, rather than doing nothing. Everyone seemingly is trying to achieve and succeed and continue to stimulate every single minute of the day with more activities rather than less.
I know for me that can be true at the best of times.
These days, for us busy Londoners, we must start to proactively slow down. And not just wait for the weekend, or the occasional holiday escape, but daily and diligently stop and pause and bring a bit of peace and quiet into the day. The truth is, for many of us, this is a big challenge. And as simple as it may sound, it's not. In order for us to maintain a healthy and happy state of mind and body, we must intentionally start to remind ourselves to slow down and do less.
We all have experienced stress and anxiety, and often times we become numb to it, and continue to go through our days accepting it as a way to just 'carry on', rather than make lifestyle and attitudinal changes for the better.
In our modern times the practice of yoga, meditation and mindfulness not only have significant physical value, but even more they have a lifestyle value that can help to ease stress and anxiety in our daily lives.
In a daily meditation practice you can see a huge effect by taking the time to stop, sit and just breathe. The breath is a powerful tool that can be used proactively to calm the body and mind. Inhale deeply, exhale sweetly.
Go deeper and take the time to start a regular meditation practice, 20mins, twice a day can create a much-needed ease in the everyday. Try it out and see.
But remember always, no matter what happens, you're always one breath way from calm.
JUST BREATHE
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Michael will be leading the Mass Meditation at Wanderlust 108, taking place Sept 23rd, 2017 at Victoria Park, London; for more information about the event, including ticketing, vendor and volunteer applications, please visit https://wanderlust.com/108-events/london/
To book: https://wanderlust108-london2017.eventbrite.com/
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Michael James Wong is an International Yoga Teacher and Meditation Guide based in London. Originally from Los Angeles, Michael now travels the world sharing a real world modern day approach to the practice.
Michael is also the Founder of www.justbreathelondon.com @justbreathelondon, a community project to bring mindfulness to the masses. You can find out more about him at @michaeljameswong & www.michaeljameswong.com
