Too often we have no idea how we really feel. A huge part of our yoga and meditation training is to get our thumb on the pulse of where we are really at, rather then just keeping going without mindfully making choices to support our deepest desires and needs. Get into the habit of checking in and touching base with yourself. Ask yourself frequently.....
1. What is the state of my body?
2. What is filling my mind?
3. How deeply am I connected to my heart?
4. How am I living out my passion and purpose?

Life is so brightly colored and fascinating if we just truly open our eyes and allow our self to take in the vast beauty and power that exists in the present moment. We get so caught up in the routines and mundane activities that we often fail to see what is familiar to us.

MINDFULNESS WALK INSTRUCTIONS:
If you live in a neighborhood with trees, or other vegetation, take a walk by yourself or with the kids around a few blocks. See how many different trees (or flowers, or grasses) can be found.

What can you notice about these trees that you have never seen before? How do they look, smell, and feel different from one another?

Afterwards perhaps spark your creative energy and draw and color the different leaves and trees you noticed or collect some different leaves and make a collage of the leaves (flowers or grasses) collected, individually or as a family.

"Just for Now, without asking how, let yourself sink into stillness. Just for now, lay down the weight you so patiently bear upon your shoulders. Feel the earth receive you, and the infinite expanse of the sky grow even wider as your awareness reaches up to meet it. 

Just for now, allow a wave of breath to enliven your experience. Breathe out whatever blocks you from the truth. 

Just for now,be boundless, free, with awakened energy tingling in your hands and feet. Drink in the possibility of being who and what you really are – so fully alive that the world looks different, newly born and vibrant, just for now." 

~ Danna Faulds

It is so easy to get caught up in the seriousness that life can bring. We are very serious about our families and our jobs, our bodies and even our spirituality can become ever so serious. The easiest way to lighten up this energy is laughter. Laughter releases us from the grips of fear and raises our energy. It clears away negativity, confusion, and mental chatter, and brings us effortlessly into the present moment

And almost always I have seen people doing just the wrong thing. From the very early morning they get out of bed complaining, tired, gloomy, sad, depressed, miserable; predicting the intensity or burdensome experience of their day yet to come. Then one thing leads to another and this misery is projected into their moments, these early morning waking moments can set the pattern for the entire day.  When we embrace a practice like a laughter meditation, we accept the responsibility for our own moods. We no longer have an excuse for our misery. When we really dive into the laughter, the mind can disappear into the experience of pure joy. When we really embrace this practice, it is both energizing and relaxing, and acts as an emotional detox, flushing all of our problems away.

Laughter Meditation given by Osho:
Every morning before waking up, before opening your eyes, stretch like a cat. Stretch every fiber of the body. Enjoy the movement.  After three or four moments with eyes still closed, begin to laugh. You don’t have to have a reason at all to laugh, just laugh! At first you will be doing it, but soon the sound of your attempt will cause genuine laughter. Lose yourself in laughter. It make take several days before it really happens, but before long it will be spontaneous and will change the whole nature of your day.

Written By Mayuri Gonzalez. All rights reserved.

Who can deny the effects of listening to Music and the effect that the right choice of song can have on the soul!  Listening to music has many benefits — so many, in fact, that music is being used therapeutically in a new branch of complimentary medicine you can find information on- music therapy.  Listening to music can make a great mindfulness exercise. It is ideal for you to chose music to begin with that is soothing: instrumental, singing bowls, gentle kirtan, classical, or piano are some great choices to start with. 
- Begin by setting yourself up in a comfortable and upright posture. Chose a space where you can minimize any outer distractions and be sure to remove any background electronic disturbances such as phones, computers, television, etc.
- Settle yourself into the practice with a few moments of resting your attention on the breath. Breathing fully and completely and really immerse yourself in the inhale and the exhale.
- As you begin to listen to the song,  focus with intention on the sound and vibration of each note, the feelings that the music brings up within you, and other sensations that are happening "right now" as you listen.
- If other thoughts creep into your head, congratulate yourself for noticing, and gently bring your attention back to the current moment and the music you are hearing.
- Complete this process by adding a little more energy to the breath, feeling the breath travel the entire length of the body, from the crown of the head to the tips of the toes. 

You may wish to jot down any sensations that you experienced in the exercise and/or try this exercise with different choices in music. This is
~ Mayuri Gonzalez (RYT-200, Certified Children's Yoga Teacher)

Thank you for this breath, Thank you for this inhale
Thank you for this exhale, Thank you for this Life

Thank you Heart
Thank you for this pounding, Thank you for this pulsing
Thank you for this Love

Thank you feet
Thank you for this walk, Thank you for this run
Thank you for the Dancing

Thank you Eyes
Thank you for the Sunrise, Thank you for the Sunset
Thank you for all the Colors

Thank you Ears
Thank you for The Music, Thank you for the Rhythm
And Thank you for the Stillness

     Find yourself in a crowded location like a bus stop, train car, restaurant, supermarket, or a park bench. Sit comfortably, relax and bring your attention within, wherever you are. Close your eyes, and begin by breathing down deeply into your belly, down into your feet and into the earth. Bring your attention into the heart region of your body. Sense the rhythmic pulsing and beating of your heart. Breathe into it, fill yourself with love and exhale.
     Open your eyes and really look around you. Look at each person you can focus on clearly, one at a time. Look into their eyes, watch their expressions, their gestures, listen to their voice and really see them. Look at them without judgement, without criticism, aversion or desire; just take them in. Take in their presence of being. Allow yourself to focus on their heart. See their human body cradling this human heart. Allow a sense of compassion to build up within your heart for that person. Breathe into this compassion allowing it to expand and grow, and exhale and release it. Without words or movement, imagine a beam of energy running from your heart to theirs. Send them love, ever so simply. Send them love and release it without expectation or the need for recognition. Just send them love. Complete the exercise here or move onto another person.
     When you've had enough, close your eyes and return to your own heart, nestled deep within your chest at the very center of your being. Offer yourself the same simple compassion and love that you offered the other person. Breathe into it to send it deeper. Breathe into it, fill yourself with love and exhale.