Page 6 - Trending Magazine 2018 Fall

Coming to your Senses_Layout 1 18-09-18 2:49 PM Page 1

Story by Jillian Austin
Photos by Tim Smith & Jillian Austin

T a singing bowl ring out.
he smell of sage fills the air, as the calm tones of

“Gently close your eyes. Check in with yourself,
noticing the breath. Not changing anything about the
breathing, not judging,” said Jenn Shields of Open
Hearts Wellness.
A group of six women have gathered for an outdoor
mindfulness session, with a goal of pressing the pause
button on life and fully experiencing the present
moment.
Participants are encouraged to focus on the smells
and sounds around them, and take slow inhales and
exhales.
“Thinking about drawing that breath past the
ribcage all the way down into the belly,” Shields said.
“Noticing the air as it moves into areas, filling the side
body and the tiny spaces between the ribs.”
As a mom of three young boys with a busy real
estate career, Shields said life can be overwhelming
with scheduling and commitments. She has been
incorporating mindfulness and meditation in her life
for many years.

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