PRACTICE
This month's community offerings to CONNECT:
**please note IN for 10 will be canceled December 19-30 to support our team in having time off for holiday rest and reflection**
READ
The book Together, by Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States, outlines the need to address loneliness and lack of social connection as a public health issue. Murthy feels it is a major underlying cause and contributor to many of American societies’ ills, from substance abuse to violence, anxiety, and depression, and the intense division we experience in our country today.
WATCH
While technology helps us connect in certain ways, it also drives a certain type of human disconnection, especially in this day and age of such division. In this TedTalk, 10 ways to have a better conversation, American radio journalist Celeste Headlee tackles this head-on and offers some ideas on how to connect more with others of like, and different, minds.
TASTE
This holiday season (and beyond!), consider connecting with food and your community by volunteering to cook or deliver meals to those in need to bring joy and community care into focus. If you live in the Philadelphia area, MANNA has a fantastic volunteer program and lots of weekly shifts to sign up for.
PRACTICE
This month's community offerings to tap into GRATITUDE every day:
READ
There is a lot of research that supports the importance of gratitude and how practicing it can change us for the positive. These two books outline more of the science behind gratitude and offer ideas for making it an active practice: Thanks! by Robert Emmons and A Simple Act of Gratitude by John Kralik.
WATCH
In this story of resilience and gratitude, psychologist Christina Costa shares her journey of living with a brain tumor and learning how practicing gratitude rewires the brain, even in the face of the unthinkable.
TASTE
Here's a delicious recipe from the renowned Gratitude Cafe in California. These miso-glazed, carmelized Brussel sprouts will be a way to serve up a dose of healthy greens that every mouth will be grateful for.
PRACTICE
This month's community offerings to tap into PRESENCE every day:
READ
One of the go-to mindfulness books by Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of mindfulness-based stress reduction, is Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. We also love Practicing Mindfulness by Matthew Sockolov which offers 75 essential mindfulness practices for you to explore.
WATCH
Here's a great TedTalk by Andy Puddicombe, co-founder of Headspace, where he teaches about the transformative power of doing nothing for 10 minutes a day. Do you think you could do something like that? Watch more and give it a try today!
TASTE
Instead of highlighting a recipe this month, we invite you to explore the practice of mindfulness and presence while you cook and eat. Check out Meal by Meal by Donald Altman which offers daily mindful eating practices and inspiration to help you become a more conscious eater and create a healthier relationship with food.
PRACTICE
This month's community offerings to tap into STRENGTHS every day:
READ
Ryan Niemiec and Robert McGrath are the expert guides to help you better understand the 24 strengths. The Power of Character Strengths is a great guide to dive deeper into appreciating what's best in you as you work your goals.
They also outline an easy-to-learn, four-step, research-backed program to guide how you can put your strengths into action.
WATCH
Dr. Ryan Niemiec, PsyD, is a leading figure in the education, research, and practice of character strengths found in all human beings. In this talk, Niemiec poses the question: How can we ever expect to reach positive outcomes without utilizing our character strengths?
His answer is simple: we cannot. Learn why tapping into our signature strengths is imperative.
TASTE
As we move into the season of Fall, it's time to look at ways to strengthen and fortify our bodies before hunkering down in Winter. This basic bone broth recipe can support bone and joint health, contains a lot of essential nutrients, and it's easy on the digestive system. You can make it to sip or use it as a base for Fall soups!
PRACTICE
This month's community offerings to CREATE every day:
READ
One google search will reveal hundreds of books on creativity. It can be overwhelming! So you don't get lost in decision paralysis, here are two of our very favorites: How to be Creative by Liz Dean and Creative Quest by the endlesslessly talented Philadelphia treasure, Questlove.
WATCH
Julia Cameron, writer of The Artist's Way, recommends a weekly "artist date" as a part of that process. So perhaps this month, you make a weekly lunch date with yourself to watch both of these hilarious and inspiring TedTalks, one by writer Amy Tan to discover where creativity hides, and the other with Elizabeth Gilbert to uncover your elusive creative genius.
TASTE
Can eating make you more creative? Or perhaps just a bit of permission to play with your food some days can insert a bit of creative fun into your day. Does what you eat inform your creative energy? An idea for this month is to find one of the many, lovely farmer's markets happening near you (or take a road trip to find one!) tune into your senses, and select things that intrigue you, then figure out what you can cook!
PrasadaU's "Summer School" August: Balance for Life
- A 4-week self-study course that includes 4 weekly lessons and a 30-minute webinar (Balance for Life) to guide you in exploring what balance means to you and how to find a better sense of work-life flow.
- PLUS weekly Office Hours to connect with Wholebeing Guide, Meg Townsend
- Details + Registration on the PrasadaU Course Catalog page
PRACTICE
This month's offerings to explore PLAY each and every day:
READ
PLAY might feel silly or trivial if you're deep in the business of being a "serious adult" but allowing yourself time and space to PLAY has incredible benefits on your physiology. This article from Psychology Today outlines the benefits and examples of how you might explore PLAY today.
WATCH
Dr. Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist, and professor at Stanford University, hosts an excellent video podcast, The Huberman Lab that dives into a variety of fascinating topics about our brains. In this episode, he outlines the transformative nature of PLAY (at every age) and how PLAY can rewire and improve our brains.
TASTE
Time in the kitchen doesn't just have to be for cooking and eating. There are ways you can have fun and PLAY too. We love this treasure trove of 15 Activities in the Kitchen for Summer Fun. Pick one, grab a friend (or kid, or have some solo PLAY time) and have an afternoon of fun in your kitchen!
PrasadaU's "Summer School" July: Breathwork for Flow
- A 4-week self-study course that includes 4 weekly lessons and a 30-minute webinar (The Breath@Work) to guide you in experiencing the benefits of breathwork for your body and mind.
- PLUS weekly Office Hours to connect with Wholebeing Guide, Meg Townsend
- Details + Registration on the PrasadaU Course Catalog page
PRACTICE
Here are our offerings for you this month to support finding a bit more joy in each day:
READ
The Book of Joy is one of our go-to reads again and again when we're diving into the topic of joy. It's a beautifully written look into the lives and teachings of two spiritual leaders and Nobel Peace Prize Laureates: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
WATCH
Looking to bring more joy into your workspace? Check out this video with Marie Kondo, the woman who started the conversation about what "sparks joy" and learn how to organize your workspace to support a more joyful day at the office.
TASTE
Instead of just one recipe this month, we wanted to share with you our treasured favorite cookbook, The Joy of Cooking. If it's not already in your kitchen, grab it now! Not only does it have reliably delicious recipes, but it's a fascinating read and practical, everyday guidebook on joyful cooking for every day.
PRACTICE
In addition to our ongoing daily offering IN for 10, we invite you to join us for two special classes this month, a Get Strong class on 5/11 and a breathwork + yoga class on 5/23. Check out these MOVE classes here. If you want a 30-day challenge, we love this MOVE 30-day Yoga Journey with Adrienne!
READ
We highly recommend this book, The Joy of Movement, by movement expert, Kelly McGonigal. It's inspiring and shows how movement "helps us find happiness, hope, connection, and courage."
LISTEN
We respect Kelly McGonigal's voice and views on movement so much that she's our recommendation to listen to as well as read this month! Put on this video podcast interview during your next walk (or spring clean!)
PRACTICE
In addition to our ongoing daily offering IN for 10, check out a LIVE class, Breathwork for Growth on 4/11, and a Wholebeing webinar, Inside Outside: Connecting Nature: Self and Health on 4/22.
READ
Micah Mortali, director of Kripalu Center for Yoga + Health, weaves mindfulness, yoga, wilderness training, and ancestral skills in his acclaimed book, Rewilding. It aims to reconnect us to the world of nature so that we might deepen our relationship with ourselves and the world around us.
WATCH
Awaken your sense of wonder and awe at the brilliance of nature with this stunning video and talk by Louie Schwartzberg, award-winning filmmaker, and advocate for the natural world.
TASTE
Follow the footsteps of the hilariously charming and inspiring Alexis Nikole Nelson, aka the Black Forager, and get outside this spring to find what surprises might be growing wild near you. Here's her violet syrup pink lemonade to enjoy on a spring afternoon.
PRACTICE
In addition to our ongoing daily offering IN for 10, we invite you to join us for two special Resilience classes this month on 3/14 and 3/28. Check out the classes on resilient breathwork and yoga here.
READ
This month's recommended read is The Resilience Factor by Karen Revich. Explore the 7 keys to finding your inner strength and overcoming life's hurdles.
WATCH
In this great TED Talk, resilience researcher Lucy Hone shares three hard-won strategies for developing the capacity to brave adversity, overcome struggle and face whatever may come head-on with fortitude and grace.
TASTE
Get creative and blend up your favorite tastes of spring with a nourishing smoothie powered with green protein. Check out this easy, create-your-own smoothie guide.
PRACTICE
In need of some relaxation? Check out this Yoga Nidra video, or join in two LIVE classes this month on Monday 2/14 and 2/28 to be guided into deep restoration and rest with Kate Howell. Or check out IN for 10 for a short, daily practice of yoga and meditation.
READ
Wondering what Yoga Nidra is? It's the art of relaxation and helping your body with the rest it needs and many more benefits. We love Tracee Stanley's book Radiant Rest, a guide to help you discover the treasures of Yoga Nidra.
WATCH
Rest is more than getting a few more hours of sleep. Learn about the 7 types of rest that every person needs in this TEDTalk by Saundra Dalton-Smith.
TASTE
There's nothing like a warm mug of spicy and soothing golden milk to lull you into a deep sleep, and it tastes delicious!
PRACTICE
Check out IN for 10, a 10-min daily practice of 5 minutes of yoga + 5 minutes of meditation for energy, focus, and calm. Offered weekdays at 6 am, 12 noon, and 3 pm LIVE. Try one now.
READ
Imagine a cookbook that is beautiful, has delicious recipes, AND put 150 nutritional studies into practice. The Happy Kitchen is all of that and more.
WATCH
He's our favorite habits expert, and he's all about going tiny as the path to sustainable changes. Check out BJ Fogg's TED Talk, Forget big change, start with a tiny habit.
TASTE
What's cooking this month? A warm and delicious soup to give you an energy boost and support your immune system. Nourish yourself with this Red Velvet Soup.