The need to belong is a psychological driver behind a desire for human connection, but WHO are the people we want to connect with, beyond basic survival needs, and HOW do we find them? <<click image to read more>>
All in Mindfulness
30 Days Are Over - What's Next?
Putting a new idea out there — such as this 30-day practice for the wine industry on breathwork and meditation — is a lot like turning on a lightbulb. Once it’s lit, we’re more able to see what we couldn’t see before. << click on image to read more >>
The Importance of Showing Up
Our aim with the 30 Days of Practice is to share ways to help you navigate a career and industry that can be difficult at times. But there’s one thing we can’t teach you how to do, which is perhaps the most critical step in the process –- and that’s to show up in the first place.
Go Easy on Your Self-Talk
At Cathy’s kind invitation, earlier this week I spoke to a group of MBA students at Bologna University on the importance of narrative in wine storytelling. Storytelling one of my favorite subjects to study and share, and I truly believe compelling stories can take a wine brand from good to great. <<click on the image to read more>>
Jetlag - 6 Tips To Take You From Fog To Fabulous
For the 6% of the population who never suffer jetlag, you are truly superheroes in my mind.
But for the other 94% of us, the sleepy, foggy, groggy feeling of jetlag can strike at the most inopportune times when traveling on business. <<click image to read more>>
That Fine Line Between Effort and Ease
Ever felt like you’re walking a tightrope? Balancing high up in the air, barely putting one foot in front of the other, with only your focus, determination, unending nerve, and a balancing pole to get you through? <<click the image to read more>>
The Simple Breath Trick That Takes You From Rookie to Rockstar
It’s five minutes to show-time. Peeking out from backstage, you see the prior conference speaker wrapping up, your stage time looming and the opening line you’ve prepared since the beginning of time ready to go.
Then “glossophobia” sets in. <<click image to read more>>
Surviving Trade Fairs – 10 Tips for Going The Distance
Spring has sprung and for many it means packing the carry-on for the marathon that is multi-day trade fairs. Between the jetlag, relentless meetings, tastings, and long hospitality nights, your body can take the brunt. <<click image to read more>>
How to Make Space for Meditation
Making Space is a tiny little book, written by Thich Nhat Hanh.
It somehow manages to be both full-to-the-brim powerful and gently encouraging, all at the same time.
Its message is about creating a home meditation practice, and I'd like to share five highlights with you here today. <<click image to read more>>
Don’t Just Do Something – Stand There a Minute!
Rise and shine!
Every morning we step out of bed ready for the new day and the opportunities ahead, but how do we approach each and every moment from a grounded, solid, centered place so we can be more mindful in our daily lives? <<click on the image to read more>>
30 Seconds is All It Takes
How many of you have heard of Kevin Zraly's 30-second practice?
I have no idea if Kevin himself would call it a "practice," but it feels like a practice and it's a neat thing to know about in any case. <<click the image to read more>>
Drink While You Pour
Drink while you pour.
It’s another of my favorite takeaways from my teacher, at home in Atlanta, that also happens to resonate at the personal level for those of us in the wine business. <<click the image to read more>>
Rest On The Road - 3 Poses to Sleep and Wake Up while Traveling
I find that keeping the body mobile when traveling for work one of the toughest parts. Constant flights, taxis, hunching over laptops and the onslaught of emails and phone calls can leave you physically exhausted. <<click image for more>>
When We Cling to “Certainty”
In modern society and an uncertain world, we tend to cling to what we know. Our materials possessions, homes, cars, our relationships with lovers, family, colleagues and friends, carefully curating our lives to be exactly as we want or think it should be. But in yoga we learn impermanence; not to grasp, to stay present and open so we can experience the present moment with open eyes and ears. Easier said than done in our busy lives! <<click image to read more>>
3 Reasons to Meditate
Earlier this week I introduced you to the whirling dervishes.
That's how I think about the flurry of thoughts racing through my mind every time -- every single time -- that I sit down to meditate. There's no escaping them, so I suggest that we make friends with them instead. << click on the image to read more>>
Why We Retreat - Stepping Back to Move Forward
By nature, the human self is constantly in a state of doing, creating, managing, and evolving. But we must also make space for our spiritual selves, where we can silence the mind’s busyness, find space to return to our true selves, and connect back to what our spirit and soul truly craves. <<click image to read more>>
Can't Slow Down Your Thoughts? It's Normal!
The most common objection I hear to meditating is that "I don't have enough time," something we looked at on Day Four in this series.
The second most common objection is, "I can't slow my thoughts down," and that's what I'd like to explore today. <<click image to read more>>
Are you REALLY Breathing?
Now you’re here, take a deep breath, and e-x-h-a-l-e…
See!
Don’t you feel better?
<<click image to read more>>
Wake Up and Sit
When?
When, exactly, does anyone have time to meditate?
That's probably the biggest question, and the biggest obstacle, that I hear expressed when it comes to meditating. Or not meditating, as the case may be. <<click image to read more>>
Change Your Breath. Change Your Life.
"If you can change your breath, you can change your life."
That's one of the most essential learnings I've taken to heart from my teacher, at home in Atlanta, and it was on my mind as I prepared my notes for our WOTVS session. Breathwork was the focus of Beck's side of the presentation, and it's the foundation of... well, everything.