Mindbody Practices

Motherhood Pains? 4 Ways to Feel Better

September 10, 2012 By Jenni Leave a Comment

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Birth changes you forever in myriad ways. Serious lifestyle changes demand your energy: Staying up all night nursing a baby, rather than say, nursing a sweet glass of wine with dinner. And then there are the physical changes—too numerous to list, really. Breasts, belly, lady parts, all so very, very different, although those changes are not all that unexpected. What can catch you by surprise are the random body aches and pains that come from bearing and raising children. Belly Button Bliss birth story contributor Kara Douglass Thom, who is the author of the book & blog Hot (Sweaty) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birth, Before and After, Bodymind Bliss, Mindbody Practices, Parenting Tagged With: back pain, gratitude, kara douglass thom, motherhood, nature, pains, self-care, writing

31 Bloggy Days of May

May 31, 2012 By Jenni Leave a Comment

In the yoga classes I teach, I am a big proponent of sighing. A long breath in, a soft sigh out—it’s one of the simplest techniques (and pleasures) I’ve found for getting in touch with how I am feeling in the moment, and moving toward a state of greater ease. So here, on the 31st day of May, a sigh of relief seems a perfect fit for acknowledging the big work I completed this month: I blogged every day in May as part of Michelle Rafter’s 2012 WordCount Blogathon. I feel proud (Yay, me!), a little tired, and very happy to take a few days off! Here are a couple lessons I hope to carry … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bodymind Bliss, Mindbody Practices Tagged With: blogging, daily practice, michelle rafter, wordcount blogathon 2012

How to Meditate

May 24, 2012 By Jenni 1 Comment

My friend Laura visited for a couple days this week, and she reminded me of something I experienced a few months ago: Meditation practice is simple. I got that message from Zen priest Karen Maezen Miller, too, in her blog post “A Glimpse of Mindfulness.” Laura said she’s been meditating for about 15 minutes each day, and lately, she’s noticed that she’s longing for even more time in meditation. That was all the reminder I needed. A few months ago, I set a pretty-sounding alarm on my phone for just 5 minutes. I put my bum in a chair, feet on the floor, my hands in my lap, my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bodymind Bliss, Mindbody Practices, Self-care, Spirituality Tagged With: hazy moon zen center, how to meditate, Karen Maezen Miller, meditation, mothering, self-care, spiritual practice

Go Ahead, Walk Away

May 23, 2012 By Jenni 1 Comment

It’s Wishcasting Wednesday over at Jamie Ridler Studios. This week she’s asking, “What are you walking away from?” I have walked away from my yoga mat when the chatter in my mind got too loud and mean. I have walked away from my children when my heart started to blacken with anger that threatened to seep toward my hands. I have walked away from my husband when neither of us could find words that would do anything other than pierce our hearts. And I have returned to each with greater and deeper gratitude. Thank God. That's my prayer and my wish: Thank the heavens and her … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bodymind Bliss, Mindbody Practices, Motherhood, Self-care Tagged With: Jamie Ridler, marriage, mothering, parenting, wishcasting wednesday, yoga

Get Grounded

May 18, 2012 By Jenni Leave a Comment

Stand up. Feel your feet. Press down through the outer edges of your feet. Lift your arches. Spread your toes. Lightly lift your toes. Feel your hips over your heels. Anchor your tailbone lightly toward the earth. Snuggle your belly button toward your spine. Spread your ribs as you breathe. Soften your shoulders, neck, and jaw. Soften your gaze. "Let the soft animal of your body love what it loves." ~Mary Oliver photo credit | all rights reserved | Jennifer Derryberry Mann www.mamahhh.com … [Read more...]