Breathe….

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Margret-Anne Cummings

Greetings this Summer Day! (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere)

I hope you are finding time to Breathe, Look around, slow down, and ENJOY this season.

I Love Summer! There is beauty all around in flowers growing and birds flying. There is also a slower pace, especially for my teenagers…no homework, and much less stress.

The Season of Summer is a true respite because it begs us to melt into the slow and savory aspects of life….to linger a bit longer while talking with friends or watching a hawk fly overhead, to Enjoy things a bit more, and to be social and to connect with people, Nature and our true, wise Self within.

I love opportunities to Connect, Relax , and Restore! AND, even more, I LOVE Creating incredible experiences for others…whether it is Teaching group Yoga classes and Meditation Privates, or Creating Peaceful and Inspiring Guided Meditation Albums, or Leading a full-color Yoga Retreat and Getaway! Helping other people find more Peace and Joy in their everyday lives adds so much Joy to my life.

If you are looking for a true Vacation and Getaway that will also teach you tools and resources to improve the Quality of your everyday Life, please join me this September 22-25th, on the Fall Equinox, to Gather in the Gifts of Summer and Transition into Fall.

3 -4 Days to CONNECT, Stretch and GROW..Inside and Out; at an incredible Resort on beautiful Trout Lake, 5 hours north of Chicago.

I have been a guest for more than 44 years at Coons Franklin Lodge….it is the most wonderful place to really get Rejuvenated…to soak up the Strength of the tall North woods trees, and the Depth and clarity of the serene Blue lake.

Come and Enjoy twice daily Yoga and So much more! (whether you are a beginner or more experienced)

And most importantly… Enjoy every minute of your own summer experience! The quality of your experience affects not just you, but everyone around you. See yourself moving through your day in a smooth and easy way, no matter what happens. And things WILL happen! But, we have a choice in how we respond to what comes our way.

If you feel stressed or you are not yourself, remember to Smile and Breathe and BE Grateful…even for the little things that we often take for granted. Life is precious, be here, in your unique Self, in this moment, in this Breathe.

Inhale….1, 2, 3, 4…Exhale….4, 3, 2, 1…All is well.

What do you LOVE about summer?

I would enjoy hearing from you…How do you Slow down and Get present and Enjoy this season? E-mail me at MargretAnne@PracticalMeditationCoach.com and share! Also, I would love to know how you have enjoyed “5 Great Ways to Calm Yourself NOW”

Wishing You and Yours All the Blessings of Summer,

Margret-Anne

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Easy Everyday Meditation Tip

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Margret-Anne Cummings

Are you feeling a little bit busy and stressed? Does it seem like you could really benefit from going away to a Spa or getting away from it all for a weekend but you know that’s not going to happen? When things are really busy it’s even more important to take a few minutes a couple times a day to use practical meditation tools to relax. When we are actually present and focused on the activity we are doing in the moment and nothing else, we are actually meditating and therefore relaxing the mind and body.

Be here now!

Here’s one great way to do that:

Look people in the eye with inner smiling

During your day when you are talking to somebody or somebody is talking to you and you are in the middle of thinking about something else or multitasking and thinking that you don’t have any time to have one more conversation: Take a breath and as you are speaking with that person, make a conscious choice to be present and in that conversation and nothing else. Completely in that conversation.

How do you do this?

By deciding to do it and looking directly at the person you are speaking with and making eye contact with them. The eyes are the windows to the soul. Be present, look at them in the eye, and practice deep listening even if it’s only for only 30 seconds. This is meditating.

Be right there with the person you are listening too. You will feel better because you will be focusing on one thing, and the person you are talking to will feel appreciated and you will improve that relationship. It’s a win-win!

Try this at home with your loved-ones, children, and adults. And with anyone else you may encounter during the day.

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