MSI Press Blog

    excerpt from  How to Stay Calm in Chaos by Julie Gentile Introduction How are you? Really, how are you doing? How are you feeling emotionally, physically, spiritually? At the time of this writing, we are living history. Most of the world is under some level of a stay-at-home mandate and/or physical distancing due to a global crisis that has swept the planet. As my 4-year-old daughter has reminded me almost daily since this began, “Everything is closed.” She’s right. These days are different. Parks, schools, libraries, and restaurants are closed. Who would have thought you would have to be aware of how many people will be outside at the same time as you when you go for a walk around the block? The uncertainty during these unusual times can make you feel a range of emotions in the span of a few moments—from helpless and hopeless to overwhelmed and exhausted to disappointed and frustrated to joyful and hopeful—but definitely not calm. This situation is new for everyone...

  This week's book back story features How to Stay Calm in Chaos by Julie Gentile. from the author -- Growing up, one of my dreams was to become an author. That dream came true on February 1, 2019, when my first book, 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas , was published. I didn’t know just 18 months later my second book would be born. Inspired by working full-time from home with young children logging into school online during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wrote How to Stay Calm in Chaos: An Everyday Self-Care Guide . Writing has always been a way for me to organize my thoughts and process my experiences. Accepting that we were living in a pandemic was no different. With the world on lockdown, I continued to persevere for myself and my children, and I did it all with the self-care foundation I built over the last several years. A daily yoga and meditation practice, journaling, and walks in nature were the reasons I was able to support myself mentally and ...

Yoga instructor and MSI Press author, Julie Gentile, is a busy bee -- busy with information and activities really helpful for busy mothers working in today's stressful situations. Her March 11 Youtube video (see below) is just the latest of a long list of activities, some of which are among the following: Self-Care  Programs Schaumburg Township District Library YouTube Channel Yoga and Self-Care in the Midst of Chaos  (September 15, 2020) Indian Prairie Public Library YouTube Channel Yoga and Self-Care to Help You Stay Calm in Chaos  (October 13, 2020) Gail Borden Public Library District YouTube Channel   Yoga and Self-Care to Help You Stay Calm in Chaos  (December 10, 2020) Elmhurst Public Library YouTube Channel Yoga and Self-Care to Help You Stay Calm in Chaos  (March 11, 2021) Press December 2020 Village of Bloomingdale  Almanac  Julie Gentile - How to Stay Calm in Chaos \ For more posts about Julie and her books, click HERE . ...

   In a world that rushes, mindfulness invites us to pause. It’s not a trend or a technique—it’s a way of being. A gentle return to the present moment, where breath meets awareness and thought softens into observation. Whether you're walking through a Mission garden, editing a tribute, or simply sipping tea beside a sleeping cat, mindfulness is the art of noticing without judgment. 🧘 What Is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention—on purpose, in the present moment, and without criticism. It’s not about emptying the mind but about witnessing it. Thoughts come and go like clouds across the sky. We don’t chase them or resist them. We simply notice. This practice has roots in Buddhist tradition, but it’s found in many spiritual paths, including Christian contemplative prayer and Franciscan simplicity. It’s also supported by modern science, shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and deepen emotional resilience. 🕯️ Everyday Mindfulness You don’t need a meditat...

  In a world that rushes, mindfulness invites us to pause. It’s not a trend or a technique—it’s a way of being. A gentle return to the present moment, where breath meets awareness and thought softens into observation. Whether you're walking through a Mission garden, editing a tribute, or simply sipping tea beside a sleeping cat, mindfulness is the art of noticing without judgment. 🧘 What Is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention—on purpose, in the present moment, and without criticism. It’s not about emptying the mind but about witnessing it. Thoughts come and go like clouds across the sky. We don’t chase them or resist them. We simply notice. This practice has roots in Buddhist tradition, but it’s found in many spiritual paths, including Christian contemplative prayer and Franciscan simplicity. It’s also supported by modern science, shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and deepen emotional resilience. 🕯️ Everyday Mindfulness You don’t need a medita...

  Excerpt from How to Stay Calm in Chaos Tuesday Stay Flexible Do you consider yourself flexible? I’ve been teaching yoga on Tuesdays for several years and ever since I began, Tuesdays have reminded me to stay flexible. Not just in the body but in the mind and in the heart.    When some people think about yoga, they think about the movement part of it, but yoga is more of a path than it is about the asanas (poses). Our poses come to life with our breath, and we move so it’s more comfortable than sitting for meditation. [MR1]   The flexibility you learn in yoga extends well beyond the mat. Being flexible in thought and mind can lead to creativity and innovation, helping you transform, reevaluate, and innovate daily routines. Although so many things are closed right now, new possibilities are available if you are open to them. This is the beauty of remaining flexible. Staying flexible also helps you find rhythm and flow. Let this be a friendly little nudge to let you k...