When I was asked in 2007 to develop a program for people who struggled with how to eat and with the relationship they had to their bodies, I had some research to do. At the time, I worked at the University of Missouri for the wellness program for faculty and staff. A survey we conducted
Practicing mindfulness of the body can happen in many ways. We practice when we move, eat, sleep, rest, and play. Moving the body mindfully is just one of the lens that we practice mindfulness and it enhances and improves our relationship to the body when we eat. Being aware of the body, in general, translates
There are many reasons to take a mindful eating program. Here are a few: 1. To understand why you keep eating even though you’re full. 2. To soothe your emotions without needing to use food. 3. To make food choices based on your internal signals.4. To understand the confusing messages you get about food. 5.
Have you ever tried to change a habit? It’s pretty hard, right? You make a commitment to yourself that you’re not going to eat as much, drink as much, shop as much, swear as much, be angry as much, etc. You might even write down your goals and post them in a prominent place. But,
I’m an optimist by nature. Optimists see things on the bright side. They persevere, even in the face of difficulty, because of a belief that things will come out okay eventually. We like to believe in the goodness of others and forgive easily. An optimist is a person who tends to be hopeful and confident
Being on Facebook has given me a view into the wide range of beliefs, ideas, and feelings that people are having right now. What I have discovered should probably not have been surprising, but the comments have been everything from transformational to shocking. I have found one type of post particularly interesting. It goes something
Let me start out with “This has been a horrible week.” In the middle of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in which over 100,000 people have died, two incidents have overwhelmed my heart. Of course, I’m talking about Chris Cooper’s unfortunate encounter with Amy Cooper in the park and the death of George Floyd by the
Every summer for many years, alleyCat Yoga practitioners have embarked upon an early morning ritual of practice at sunrise (6:00 – 7:15 a.m.) for 21 days straight. And this year anyone from around the world can take the class LIVE ONLINE over Zoom. Why on earth would someone do that, you might ask? Answer: Because
In the past few days I have noticed myself stopping to just sit and look out the window to watch the flowers grow. This pause has felt strange at times, even slightly uncomfortable. But, when I give myself over to the pause, I feel like there is something being born in that space of stillness.
Your body can tell you a lot if you listen to it. It tells you when it’s hungry and when it’s full. It tells you what food tastes delicious and what food doesn’t taste so good. It tells you what food helps you feel energized and what food depletes you. It tells you when you’re
