Mindfulness is when your body and mind are in the same place at the same time, connected with this one unfolding moment of life.
Mindfulness belongs to no religion or belief system. It is universal. We are born in a state of mindfulness or connection. If you watch and infant closely you’ll see the curiosity and awe with which this child observes her or himself, others, and their surroundings with an open heart and a loving mind, and you will know instantly what mindfulness truly is.
Bringing this mindstate of connection, curiosity, and care into how we work, how we communicate, how we learn, teach, lead, love, and live – this is the practice of mindful living.
When we live mindfully, we are better able to integrate moments of self care into our busy days, and teach our young people, our families, and our community members how to care for and comfort themselves as well. We lead by example and inspire those around us to live more mindfully and care more kindly for themselves, others, and our world.
The body, mind, breath and emotions are deeply connected and how we move, think, and breathe can affect how we feel, react, and interact throughout the course of our day. The Body, Mind, Breath Connection™ is the foundation of every principle, skill, and activity in this program.
It is the action of connecting to the moment and being mindful by noticing what is happening inside of us and around us. It is the practice of self-awareness and self care through mindful movement, supportive thinking, and intentional breathing that can help us to connect to the moment, release stress, support self-regulation, build focus, and act with greater kindness toward ourselves and others.
An example of practicing The Body, Mind, Breath Connection™ would be to notice what is happening physically in your body right now as you read these words. Can you shift your body to be more balanced, open and comfortable? Now begin to lengthen and slow down your breathing slightly as you continue to read these words, and maybe relax your shoulders as you exhale. Begin to notice your thoughts and reactions as you read these words. Is your mind open and curious or closed and resistant? Can you choose to open your mind and heart to new ways of learning, focusing, and being curious in this moment?
This is The Body, Mind, Breath Connection™. First noticing yourself and your reactions, and then adjusting your reactions in a healthy way.
Through this mindful connection, you give more attention to what you are doing and how you are doing it, so that you can do it more effectively. Over time, with sustained effort and dedicated practice, you feel healthier, calmer, more patient, and kinder toward yourself and others, while bringing moments of self care into your busy days.
As we educate ourselves and encourage our family, friends, schools, workplaces, and communities to be more aware of how we treat ourselves, others, and our world, and as we bring greater awareness to our social responsibility as members of this Human Family, we realize that our choices affect others.
We realize that the Earth is our home and that we have the ability to make our world a kinder more caring place for us all – one small, doable, compassionate, and courageous action at a time.