Using Your Breath as the Focus of Your Meditation Breath-centered meditation is one of the most common forms of meditation. In this sequence below, I point out aspects of the breath to pay attention to. Focusing on these subtle sensations will pull your attention inward and help to keep you from wandering off. Notice theContinue reading “Breath-Centered Meditation”
Category Archives: Mind-body
Slow down, you move too fast.
One of my yoga class participants recently said that she’s never still – she’s always busy doing something, gardening, cleaning, community projects, etc.. This is all great, but it left me thinking about our cultural programming around stillness and busyness. We’re taught to value constant productivity. It’s not okay to just be still. What IContinue reading “Slow down, you move too fast.”
Sleep is a Beautiful Thing
Sleep is like the secret sauce. It affects everything – mood, focus, mental clarity and your general sense of well-being. So why are so many of us not sleeping well? For many, the culprit is the dreaded BUSY MIND! How do we fix that? It might help to understand some brain science: when your mindContinue reading “Sleep is a Beautiful Thing”
Take Your Laughter More Seriously
Every day, in my yoga-for-cancer work, I’m with people who are trying to take care of their bodies, quiet their minds and find some peace. So I think a lot about what it means to be healthy and happy, hence these writings about the 5 best things to give yourself (a quiet mind, a peacefulContinue reading “Take Your Laughter More Seriously”
Is Night Chatter Keeping You Up?
I recently heard someone describe the mental chatter that keeps you awake as “night chatter.” I think that’s a very appropriate term. Many people talk to me about their struggles with sleep and most are complaining about night chatter – the mind that won’t turn off. So, what to do? My main suggestion is toContinue reading “Is Night Chatter Keeping You Up? “
Why I’m Grateful for My Problems
I’m grumbling about my challenges today: too many things to do, not enough time, not enough money, can’t make headway on my projects, gaining weight, menopause weirdness, sprained my ankle . . . but then I pause. I take a breath . . . I’m actually grateful for my problems. Yes, you read that right.Continue reading “Why I’m Grateful for My Problems”
For Those with Breathing Challenges
If your lungs have been compromised by treatment or other conditions, here are a few ways I can work with you to improve your ability to breathe. First, work with your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is your main breathing muscle and the first area I check. What you want to notice is whether your belly expandsContinue reading “For Those with Breathing Challenges”
The Diaphragmatic Breath
Of all the breathing techniques I teach the diaphragmatic breath is the most foundational and useful. I especially recommend it in times of anxiety or crisis since it slows down your breath and helps to relieve tension. Here’s how it goes: place a hand on your belly. As you inhale, gently expand your belly outwardContinue reading “The Diaphragmatic Breath”
Michelle Stortz 