Your weekly housecall filled with everything you need to know to live longer and live better—naturally. Missed an issue or want to forward to a friend? Find it all right here.

Hello there, friend!

Several weeks ago a friend shared with me how frustrated she was at work. No matter hard she works on her pile of files, there’s always another pile waiting in the wings. I can relate. For me, it’s my pile of snail mail and those unsolicited invitations for credit cards that will take even more of my time to shred. I’m sure you can relate!

It’s things like this that remind me how important it is to have regular practices that help us disconnect from the kind of mental stress in life that will always be there. Whether it’s at work or at home, there will always be another pile.

Walking meditation is one of the wellness practices that I highly recommend for mental stress and fatigue. Unlike power-walking for exercise, walking meditation is first and foremost a practice to bring body and mind together peacefully.

Walking meditation helps us slow down long enough to unite our body and our mind. We combine our breathing with our steps. When we breathe in, we take a step. When we breathe out, we take another. All the while we pay attention to what is comfortable for our body and ground ourselves in the here and now.

Walking meditation helps us develop reverence for life and a deeper sense of gratitude for this beautiful planet we call home. It is very pleasant, especially in the early morning when the air is still very fresh. When we walk mindfully, we see the beauty and the wonder of the earth around us. We see that we have been given a very special gift to be alive for another day. When our mind is caught up in work and preoccupied with our piles of worries, we miss these things. Walking meditation teaches us how to value each step we take, and each step brings us happiness. When we look again at the earth and the sky and all of the creatures around us, we see that the earth is a wonderful reality.

A Few Principles for Your Practice:

1. Begin by choosing comfortable clothing and shoes to walk and find a peaceful location that allows you to move undistracted by those who may be power-walking or running for exercise.
2. Inhale and take one step, focusing all your attention on the sole of your foot. Notice the heel-to-toe touch of your foot to the ground.
3. If your foot has not arrived fully on the ground, 100 percent in the here and the now, don’t take the next step.
4. Breaking these movements down in your mind may odd because you’re simply not used to walking mindfully. But do try to notice at least these four basic components:
   • the lifting of one foot;
   • the moving of the foot a bit forward of where you’re standing;
   • the placing of the foot on the ground, heel first;
   • the shifting of the weight of the body onto the forward leg as the back heel lifts, while the toes of that foot remain touching the ground.
5. While walking, practice conscious breathing by counting steps. Notice each breath and the number of steps you take as you breathe in and as you breathe out.
6. Breathe. Allow your lungs as much time and air as they need, and simply notice how many steps you take as your lungs fill up and how many you take as they empty, mindful of both your breath and your steps.
7. If you are walking, you can clasp your hands behind your back or in front of you, or you can just let them hang at your side. Do whatever feels most comfortable and natural.
8. Relax. Let your mind wander if it chooses to wander. Simply come back to your breath when you feel your mind wandering back to your worries.

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If you’re worried about making time for walking meditation, I want to introduce you to the concept of “habit-stacking.” It’s a simple idea – just integrate your walk into your existing routine. You can walk after your your morning coffee, or even in the evening after dinner. Find that sweet spot to lace up your shoes and begin.
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Remember, consistency is key, and every step counts towards your goals. So, keep walking, moving, and making progress in your wellness journey!

Need help mental stress under control? Reply back and let me know what questions you have or how you can get started!

Yours in good health,

Angel

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Ask Me (Almost!) Anything

Send in Your Questions!

Missed me on Friday? No problem! Catch Up Here

LIVE ON IG! Have a question? Send it in now! Send My Question

Do you have a burning question about your health or well-being? Every Friday, I’ll be answering questions LIVE on Instagram. All questions remain anonymous – so no question is too embarrassing. Ask Me (Almost!) Anything will be available for replay following the live session.

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Hurry! Only a Few Spots Remain!

Design the Life You Deserve®

A 5-day journey to renew, refresh & reinvent your life

September 17-22, 2024

Bacalar, Mexico

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Are you a mid-career woman struggling to keep up with life’s demands?

Are you feeling overworked and overwhelmed by miles of piles that never leave enough time to even think about what matters most to you in your life?

Did you promise yourself last year “as soon as I get caught up, I’ll sign up for the gym…” or “once I get past this, I’ll look into that?”

Well, today is the tomorrow you promised yourself yesterday.

It’s time to find out what your life life can look like when you take your health and well-being off the back burner and make yourself your number one priority again.

Join me for an unforgettable experience in September to immerse yourself in the serenity of sound healing, daily Tai Chi, walking meditation, and healing practices that will help you connect your heart to your head again.

Learn how the ancient practice of Qigong can help soothe your mental tension and calm your cortisol so you can finally start shedding unwanted pounds.

Find out how simple herbs can help clear brain fog and help you get a good night’s rest again so you can feel more productive in your life.

It’s time to escape the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary—all while focusing on what truly matters to you.

Wise women enjoying Rise and Shine Tai Chi in Bacalar, MX 2023 | Photograph: Angel V. Shannon

Are you ready to embark on this journey of self-discovery and renewal? Reserve your spot today and unlock the magic of Bacalar. Your path to inner peace and fulfillment awaits.

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My first time doing tai chi: “It feels like my brain is solving a Rubik’s Cube”

“It turns out when you’re rapidly trying to keep up, there really is no time for negative thoughts.’ Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

Feeling forgetful and mentally scattered? Try Tai Chi!

These days it’s easy to wonder if we’re all losing our memory. From text messages to Zoom calls to constant news updates from around the world our brains have a lot of information (actually, too much information!) to filter. Tai Chi brings us back home to the here and now.

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Shout out to community member, Maurice S.!

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Maurice, we’re honored to have you as part of our community! Together, we all can work toward better physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being!

We’re building a movement here so don’t forget to tag us on socials so we can shout out your amazing progress too!

We Want to Hear from You!

What’s on your bookshelf? Found a great product that’s helping you live better? Please do share! Click reply, send us your post and we’ll include it in an upcoming copy of our newsletter.

Let’s connect!

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