ZEN Life
ALL WE HAVE IS NOW
During the past few years, through a myriad of personal life events, and perhaps due to our diverse
excursions around the globe, as a Mother-Daughter travel blogging team, my 17-year-old daughter,
Brooke, and I have experienced a profound transformation. While spending endless hours planning
our trips and then proceeding with months reflecting on the memories thereafter, we found often found
ourselves living in the future or the past. Our simultaneous epiphany was the realization that all we
ever truly have is the present moment. To live each now moment in a state of contentment and gratitude
is the secret to a peaceful and meaningful life.
Today, more than ever, a state of mindfulness is essential for our health and well-being. As we are in
the midst of unpredictable times, Brooke and I have learned that it is within fear and darkness that we
have opportunities to shine our light for ourselves and for others. Painful events are inevitable, yet the
realization that each challenge, obstacle and hardship are simply symbolic cocoons --beautiful oppor-
tunities for emergence and personal transformation. Changing your perspective changes your reality.
Whilst we may not have control over our external environment, we do have control of our inner land-
scape. We have control of our thoughts, our behaviors, our words, our emotions, our choices and
most importantly our breath. When the outside world is full of chaos, invert your gaze inward--it is here
where you will find serenity and calm.
In 2018, Brooke and I began practicing mindfulness on a consistent daily basis. Before getting out of
bed each morning, we set positive intentions for our day and reflect on things we are grateful for in our
present lives. We began studying ancient healing practices such as yoga, mediation and reiki energy
healing. We both became Reiki Master Teachers after years of studying and course work. Brooke
began her own abusiness creating custom healing bracelets which she sells at Peace in downtown
Naperville and I received my Yoga Teacher training at Abhyaasa Yoga Studio. Peace is a small business
that supports other small businesses sharing their dreams and passions. Abhyaasa, the studio above
Peacce, offers many types of yogic practices and tools for healing to empower students to awaken
their innate ability to move into a space of unbounded potential. It is a beautiful space to begin a mindful
journey.
Our overall message for our beautiful community during these trying times:
“When we can no longer change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
~Viktor Frankl
Your mind, body and spirit with thank you.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Kristen Kainrath has been an elementary school teacher for the past
30 years in Naperville. She has now brought yoga and meditation to her
school, offering these practices to both students, families and teachers
alike. Follow her and her daughter each month with Glancer Magazine
for mindfulness tips, guided meditations and overall mind, body and
spirit wisdom.
Glancer Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 17
OutdoorYoga
“I can really feel the oxygen flowing through me,
clearing my mind and empowering my practice.”
What’s more, researchers at the University of
Southern California found that looking at beau-
tiful scenery releases endorphins, the feel-good
chemicals that bring us pleasure. “Perhaps the
color green is the default mode for our brains,”
writes Esther Sternberg, M.D., in her book Heal-
ing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-
Being. Touching grass or a sandy beach further
provides stimulation. Bonus: a slightly uneven
surface engages and strengthens your core. As
we become more fluent in processing a sensory
experience it morphs into a sensuous experi-
ence that shuts off the list-making part of our
brain and zeros in on the now.
3. Practicing yoga in a new
environment can build confidence.
Find your edge—no, we don’t mean balancing
on a side of a cliff. Practicing outside for the first
time can feel awkward. It is easy to feel self-con-
scious when you’re used to practicing in a set
environment. While familiarity brings security,
stepping outside your comfort zone opens a
gateway to an entirely new interpretation of your
yoga practice. Imagine the power of sun saluta-
tions under actual sunrays or the vivacity of a
tree pose while focusing on a real tree instead
of a spot on the wall. “Your body is a research
instrument,” says Clifford. “Learn how to use it.”
4. The outdoors can further boost
meditation’s benefits.
Scientists have already shown that those who
meditate on a regular basis have a smaller
amygdala, the part of the brain that is respon-
sible for managing the fight-or-flight response.
Coincidentally, field studies, published in Envi-
ronmental Health and Preventative Medicine,
show that people who were exposed to a forest
environment versus an urban environment had
a lower concentration of the stress hormone cor-
tisol. “Buddha wasn’t in a meditation hall,” adds
Clifford. “He was in the forest.” Time to om out-
side.
Reprinted with permission by
www.yogajournal.com
Local Outdoor Yoga
Arranmore Farm + Polo Club, Oswego
www.arranmorefarmandpoloclub.com
Naperville Park District, Naperville
www.napervilleparks.org/fitness
MONTHLY MINDFULNESS COLUMN
