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Showing posts with the label 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas

From the Blog Posts of MSI Press Authors: Julie Gentile's Word of the Week - Unite

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    Every week Julie Gentile, author of two award-winning books,  108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas  and  How to Stay Calm in Chaos , posts a word of the week and a thoughtful post, related to self-care, to go with it. This week the word is unite . Take five worthwhile minutes to read what Julie says about  unite . For more posts about Julie and her books click  HERE . For more posts about self-care, click  HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com.  Want to communicate with one

Daily Excerpt: 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas (Gentile) - Introduction

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  Excerpt from 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas by Julie Gentile -  Introduction  I wrote what you are about to read at the center of my very full life as a mom of two young children, working full-time as a marketing and communications professional, and leading yoga classes as a certified and registered yoga teacher. At that time, my husband was also working and going to school full time. “Full” is the key word here. With full hearts and full plates, we were bursting with busyness.   Many days pushed me beyond my limits, bringing me to tears of exhaustion and left me wondering if I was living life to my maximum potential. I was overcome with responsibilities that pulled me in multiple directions, but in me remained my ultimate duty to take care of myself. How did I do that as a working mama in an era where I was available via text message, phone, email, and social media?  I called upon my yoga and meditation background to help. It responded loud and clear: Take i

The Story behind the Book: 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas

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  Back Story of 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas From the author: The Story Behind the Book: How Self-Care Helped Me Achieve My Dream of Writing My First Book Julie M. Gentile It started between an inhale and an exhale on my yoga mat. My idea to write a book for other busy moms like me trying to live well was planted in the pause between both parts of the breath. I had just had my second child and had become more aware of the options busy moms had to manage their full plates. One word about being a busy mom immediately came to mind: Overwhelmed. I knew I couldn’t manage my own busy life without self-care by my side. Since becoming a yoga teacher in 2011, I was already practicing a variety of nourishing practices to feed my mind, body and soul: getting quality sleep, staying hydrated, practicing yoga, meditating, exercising, journaling, eating more plant-based foods and reading uplifting content. These practices helped me pause enough to get glimpses of how I co

Daily Excerpt: 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas (Gentile): Meditate, Breathe, Repeat

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  Today's daily excerpt comes from 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas by Julie Gentile: Meditate. Breathe. Repeat.  Meditation is magical. At first, I was hesitant to sit with scattered thoughts, but after attending many classes and workshops, meditation began to grow on me until it blossomed into a beautiful practice. It isn’t about completely clearing your mind of your thoughts. Meditation is sitting with your thoughts, without judging them, and noticing what feelings and sensations arise. Although traditionally practiced seated, you can meditate anywhere, any time. The more you meditate, the more you benefit. Reduced stress and anxiety, better concentration, and a better sense of clarity are just a few perks of a regular meditation practice. Where does the magic come in? Meditation helps uncover your true self—your genuine wants, needs, hopes, and desires. If there is an important decision you need to make, meditate. If you’re looking to find you’re true

Why Your Self-Care Can't Wait Until the New Year (guest post by Julie M. Gentile)

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When was the last time your mind and body felt amazing, when your thoughts and words flowed effortlessly and you moved energetically and gracefully? The added stress and pressure during the holiday season from the extra things that need to get done—shop for the perfect gifts and then find time to wrap them, set goals for the New Year and then follow-through with them—make it easy to put off self-care during the busiest time of year. My question to you: Why wait until January 1 to start taking better care of yourself? Life is happening now. In this very moment, with this very breath. Thinking that you’ll wait to be happy when you lose weight or you’ll wait to be happy when you have your dream house or you’ll wait to be happy when you retire does not offer you the health and happiness you deserve today. Your self-care can’t wait for you to pay attention to it until tomorrow. Self-care is needed now—your mind and body desperately crave it. From the list below, choose on

Book Review: Seeking Balance in an Unbalanced Time (Greenebaum)

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Goodreads has posted a very supportive book review of Seeking Balance in an Unbalanced Time by Rev./Dr. Steven Greenebaum. In part, the revew reads: Steven Greenebaum has written another first-class book. Or perhaps, at only 36 pages, it's better called a booklet. Nevertheless, its impact is outsized to its length, as Rev. Greenebaum gives a fine perspective on how to maintain one's mental health in the face of the current pandemic (and all the other ills of the world, too). Check out the rest of the review on Goodreads HERE . Steven Greenebaum is also the author of One Family: Indivisible . For more posts by and about Steven and his works, click HERE .

Introducing Julie Gentile, MSI Press Author

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J Julie M. Gentile is the award-winning author of  108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas  and  author of  How to Stay Calm in Chaos: An Everyday Self-Care Guide ;  creator of the   Stand Up for Your Self-Care blog  and  YouTube Channel ,  a yoga teacher; and a working mama. She has been leading yoga classes since 2011 to inspire students to nourish their minds, bodies, and spirits. Her own practice, which began in 2008, empowers her to live well as a busy mom.  Learn more about Julie a t  www.JulieGtheYogi.com ,  subscribe to her  Stand Up for Your Self-Care YouTube Channel  for yoga and self-care videos, and stay connected with her on Instagram   @juliegtheyogi   and Facebook   /juliegtheyogi . Julie's book i ncludes writing prompts, yoga poses, meditations, breathing exercises, and other self-care practices to encourage modern mamas to walk a path of self-love. It was released February 1, 2019. The book has earned awards:  IPPY Living Now Bronze Medal 2019 B

Excerpt from 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas: Make Life Better with Ayurveda

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From 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas , an award-winning book: Make Life Better with Ayurveda I fell deeply in love with self-care when I met Ayurveda. Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, is one of the world’s oldest medical traditions, which originated in India around the time yoga did. Ayurveda literally means the “science of life.” It is a personalized approach to well-being and longevity that incorporates wellness rituals into everyday life. When paired with yoga, Ayurveda and yoga form an unmatched powerhouse. I first learned about Ayurveda in my yoga teacher training in 2010, and that’s when I started to experiment with Ayurvedic practices. Back then, I did not yet know how revolutionary these practices were until I began to weave them into my everyday life balancing a full workload as a working mama. Today, my everyday Ayurvedic practices include • meditating, breathing exercises, and simple yoga stretches every morning, which typically take 10 to 2

Author in the News: Steven Greenebaum Featured in Jewish in Seattle Magazine

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What does being Jewish mean to you? This is the question that Jewish in Seattle Magazine asked of Rev. Steven Greenebaum, an interfaith minister and MSI Press author, on April 9. Read his response in the magazine . (Steven was able to hype -- just a little -- his newest book: One Family Indivisible , a finalist in the American Book Fest's Best Books Awards in the category of religion.) Listen to Steven's podcast as he is interviewed by Anne Laforge. You can find it on the MSI Podcasts page . Read more blog posts by and about Steven and his book HERE .

Author in the News: Julie Gentile Contributes Column on Blissful Breathing to Mindful Movements

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Julie Gentile, author of the much-awarded book, 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas , recently wrote a column, " Tune into Your Bliss Breath ," for Mindful Movements . In it, she reminds us that every bliss breath is an opportunity to pause and notice, to learn about what helps--and what happens when--you relax. Read Julie's column to read understand what she means by bliss breath and how it can help you relax. Indeed, this is a welcome post in these stressful times. Many thanks to Julie for sharing it. About Julie Julie M. Gentile is a full-time working mama, certified and Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher, author of numerous health and wellness articles, and professional editor and writer. She has been practicing yoga and meditation for a decade and leading yoga classes since 2011. Her journalism background and her own wellness journey have shaped her recent work to inspire others to stand up for their self-care. Julie’s book,  108 Yoga an

Author in the News: Julie Gentile Serves As Guest Editor at Positive Proviso

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How will you practice self-care this spring? If we have the opportunity to meet, I’ll probably ask you this question. How will you answer? This is the beginning of the article that Julie wrote as her contribution to Positivo Proviso magazine in her capacity of guest editor. Read the rest of the article, "Spring into Self-Care,"  HERE .

Do This Practice to Become More Mindful (guest post by Julie M. Gentile)

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Are you mindful? No, really. Do you consider yourself a mindful person? Mindfulness is a state of being. It’s living and breathing in the present moment and becoming aware of the senses that connect you to the world around you and the sensations within you. It’s paying attention. It’s noticing. It’s observing without judgment. It’s waking up. It’s reawakening. Try this practice to grow your mindfulness. Mindfulness begins with becoming aware of the present moment, which is the only moment we really have. How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation ·        Begin seated on the ground or on a chair or couch. Close your eyes. ·        Observe your breath going in and out through your nostrils. ·        Briefly scan your body by noticing areas of tension—maybe it’s your shoulders or wrists . Maybe it’s your hips or low back. With each exhale, start to relax those areas of tension. ·        Turn your attention to your senses. Notice them one by one. ·        What is yo

Four Ways to Enhance Gratitude (guest post by Julie M. Gentile)

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When you’re knee deep in work in the office or at home, gratitude is probably not the first thing that crosses your mind. Instead, you might have racing thoughts about how much you still have to do today or about things that aren’t going your way. Enter gratitude practice. Gratitude is appreciating and recognizing the abundance already in your life. Among its many benefits, living in gratitude can enhance your optimism and expand your heart. Gratitude is always there, but practicing it is a choice. Every thought you think, every word you speak, every action you take can carry the vibration of gratitude. As I write this, I’m typing with one hand because my son is sitting on my lap, asking me how to spell different words. And do you know what? Instead of feeling like he is bothering me and redirecting his attention elsewhere, I’m grateful for his questions and his curiosity, and that he still wants to hang out with me. I know in a few moments, he’ll wonder off to play wit

Five Reasons to Start Journaling Tonight (guest post by Julie M. Gentile)

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Adding yet another thing to your to-do list when you're already overwhelmed may be out of the question, but what if this extra thing could help bring more clarity and balance to the rest of your life? Enter journaling—one of my favorite self-care practices. Journaling helps me to continuously check in with myself, organizes my thoughts and brings laser focus to what areas of my life are in need of more attention. Journal every day to be well on your way to more clarity and balance. Journaling can help you: 1.      Articulate who you are and name what it is that you want. 2.      Become more aware of your habits and patterns so you can modify them if needed. 3.      Let go of stress, release emotions that no longer serve you and process experiences. 4.      Spark creativity, including helping to identify innovative solutions you may not have previously considered. 5.      Connect to the possibilities available to you in every moment. Get Started Tod