Focus on Practitioner Cultivate Change by LaoShih Holly This stagnation would manifest through outbursts of anger, with my children bearing the brunt of my frustration. I recall many tense car rides to and from school where I ranted about how they weren't helping out with the family, and how everything would run smoother if they would just do as they were told. We often strike out at those who are closest to us; deep down we believe that they will understand the pressures we are under and forgive more quickly. My morning 'pep' talks weren't helping anyone and it's safe to say none of us had a great start to our day. I asked my son if he remembered those times. He smiled at me and said in his grown-up voice, "Mom, let's not go there."... Read More

Grace is a quality that tends to inspire us. The graceful dancer or slow gestures of a monk resound with deliberate smoothness. Read More

You may not realize that your breath has four parts. The more you give awareness to these parts, the more they develop. The parts are: > Inhale > Pause > Exhale > Pause Read More

When we think about taking a deep breath we tend to visualize the chest expanding. But what happens if we keep the chest quiet? Instead of allowing the chest to rise, allow the belly to rise instead. What did you feel? Did you cough? Long-term “shallow” breathing causes the lower lobes of the lungs to atrophy. So when we attempt to fully inflate the lungs we may have a reflexive cough. By allowing the belly to expand instead of the chest, the lungs have room to fully expand. Read More