MSI Press Blog

  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 ...

  Meditation is not only appropriate during pregnancy — it’s one of the most evidence‑supported, low‑risk, high‑benefit practices you can add to your routine. It helps your body, your mind, and even your baby’s developing nervous system. Here’s what it actually contributes, trimester by trimester and overall. Why meditation helps during pregnancy Meditation works on the systems that pregnancy stresses the most: your nervous system your sleep cycles your stress hormones your breathing patterns your emotional regulation When those systems calm down, everything else — digestion, blood pressure, mood, and fetal development — benefits. What meditation adds 1. Stress reduction Pregnancy increases cortisol naturally. Meditation helps bring it back down. Lower maternal stress is associated with: better fetal heart‑rate variability healthier birth weights reduced risk of preterm labor calmer newborn temperament This isn’t magic — it’s physiology. 2. Better sleep Insomnia is common in all t...

    Excerpt from  108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas  by Julie Gentile -  Significance of 108 The number 108 is considered to be a sacred number in yoga and is often referenced to spiritual completion. The number has a connection to nature and the cosmos. You’ll often hear about yogis practicing 108 rounds of sun salutations and reciting a mantra 108 times on a mala—a string of 108 prayer beads. The following is a list of the 108 self-care practices in this book. They cover how to care for your mind, body, and spirit. 1.      Write About It: Dedicate an Intention for Your Self-Care Journey 2.      Practice It: Sukhasana (Easy Pose) with Hands in Anjali Mudra (Prayer Position) 3.      Write About It: Why Do You Care About Self-Care? 4.      Practice It: Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute) 5.      Write About It: Write Where You Need to Be ...