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MEDITATION

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Turns out being relaxed is good for us. We have access to our higher creative brain, we are more likely to be present, our peripheral vision opens, you become more sensitive to the world and most importantly it feels really good to be relaxed. Meditation is a great tool to get there. Meditation has been around for thousands of years and it seems only recently we are waking up to the profound transformation it allows. From lowering blood pressure to reducing stress to restoring the brain. In fact, the body can heal itself given the opportunity (time spent in a deeply relaxed state). There is a ton of research being done on the effects of being still and meditating. The neuroscience behind what’s happening during mediation is fascinating. This is an area of ever expanding awareness, so the following articles are only a brief introduction to the vast nature of the mind. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.feelguide.com/2014/11/19/harvard-unveils-mri-study-proving-meditation-literally-rebuilds-the-brains-gray-matter-in-8-weeks/

http://www.mindful.org/the-science/neuroscience/your-brain-on-meditation

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/01/eight-weeks-to-a-better-brain/

http://thehigherlearning.com/2014/11/30/harvard-mri-study-shows-that-meditation-rebuilds-brains-gray-matter-in-just-8-weeks/

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Learn To RELAX Just About Anywhere

 

 PRACTICE BEING STILL

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Relaxation is a skill. Like any skill you must practice to get better. The more you practice the deeper the relaxation experience becomes. And there is no depth – you don’t ever reach the place where you can’t relax any more. The idea is that you come to my restorative classes to practice being still so that you can take it into your everyday life.

THE PRACTICE

When you’re standing on line or find yourself stuck in traffic check in with yourself and soften the tight muscles. Next, notice your surroundings (what information are the sense taking in?) – the sights, the smells, the sounds, the feelings and observe your breath. Can you start to accept the moment for what it is without trying to change it? Can you accept the moment as if you yourself had chosen it? Change what you can (softening tight muscles) and then accept everything else (allow for the moment to simply be, without trying to control it). Accept all the moment has to offer – especially the imperfections.

 

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Abundance

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When you think about it, anyone who spends the hours of their days chasing after money, fame or power is really just a slave to the belief that there is only so much to go around. On the other hand, when we start recognizing the incredible abundance that makes up the world, we can start seeing ourselves surrounded by an abundance of love, creativity, ideas, opportunities, awareness, friends, beauty, happiness, fun and so, so much more. I’m not sure what direction our young friends will take in their lives but I hope they figure out somewhere along the line that the abundance they seek starts deep within. In the end, it’s SMART to remember that the path to real abundance is as Lao Tzu says, “When your realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”

Read the rest of this lovely SMART Living 365 blog here.

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Steve Jobs on Meditation

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“If you just sit and observe, you will see how restless your mind is. If you try to calm it, it only makes things worse, but over time it does calm, and when it does, there’s room to hear more subtle things — that’s when your intuition starts to blossom and you start to see things more clearly and be in the present more. Your mind just slows down, and you see a tremendous expanse in the moment. You see so much more than you could see before. It’s a discipline; you have to practice it.”

READ THE ARTICLE HERE:

http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-jobs-zen-meditation-buddhism-2015-1

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Search Inside Yourself

Seems like everyone is getting into the mindfulness business these days. Here is a look @ google’s extensive Search Inside Yourself (SIY) program.

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Born at Google and based on brain science, SIY uses the practices of mindfulness to train Emotional Intelligence skills, leading to resilience, positive mindset, and centered leadership. In the midst of complexity, it’s about finding the inner capacity to create, to thrive, to lead. And it’s surprisingly fun. Backed by some of the world’s leading experts in neuroscience and mindfulness, SIY is changing thousands of lives in over a dozen countries.

The mind is the root of all things. SIY provides evidence-based practices to grow in self-mastery. It’s about navigating our opportunities and challenges with more resilience, more engagement, and more happiness.

Greater complexity outside requires greater clarity inside. Effective leadership isn’t about just checking off more tasks. It’s defined by how well we use our minds and interact with others. We need flexibility and clear purpose in the face of complexity. We need balance, insight, and the ability to inspire others. Yet our workplaces are churning out burned-out leaders, who report little bandwidth for big-picture thinking, for innovation, and truly understanding others and building strong culture. The skills to work with our minds, our emotions, and other people are essential–but rarely developed.

Using the tools of neuroscience, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence, SIY provides evidence-based practices for leaders to grow.

Sounds interesting. Find out more here.

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Judith Lasater

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Judith Lasater was the pioneer of restorative yoga. She developed the passive form of yoga from her work with B.K.S. Iyengar and it has quickly become a necessary remedy to living a modern life. She has written prolifically on restorative yoga and her many essays can be found here. I am forever grateful to Judith for sharing her wisdom and for all that she has taught me and continues to teach me.

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What is AVY?

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AVY (Amber Voiles Yoga) has been practicing yoga for 20 years and comes from an extensive movement and healing arts background, including Alexander Technique, Laban, Feldenkrais, LeCoq, Skinner Releasing Technique, Qigong, Integrated Respiratory Therapy and 15 years of massage therapy. Her restorative and gentle classes are a perfect complement to a vigorous lifestyle and yoga practice. They are designed to slow down the body and mind so that you can relax deeply, allowing your natural rhythms to balance and restore. She is currently completing her National Ayurvedic Medical Association approved Ayurvedic Counselor training. Find her on facebook here.

Be. Still.

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Find a Teacher

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Judith Lasater, who was a student of B.K.S. Iyengar’s, was the pioneer of restorative yoga. Her teacher directory can be found here. Jillian Pransky heads up the almighty Yoga Works restorative division and her teacher directory can be found here. I have studied with both and find their work to be profound.