Australian Yoga Journal - May June 2017

49

may/june 2017

yogajournal.com.au

amygdala, is a reflex response which is
activated when we sense a threat in our
environment. This response evolved to
protect us from danger. However, this
warning system has not changed for
about 100,000 years and, nowadays,
rather than the threat of physical
predators, we face psychological
stressors including arguments with
our partners when we’re exhausted
and still adjusting to the new reality of
motherhood. When the stress response
is triggered, our higher brain
functioning regions — including the
prefrontal cortex — go offline. A key to
better communicating under pressure, is
developing the capacity of this part of
the brain, which supports us to stay cool
under pressure and communicate with
greater calm and wisdom.
Regular mindfulness meditation has
been shown to increase the thickness
of the prefrontal cortex, which is

Elise Bialylew is a doctor,

coach, wellness innovator

and founder of Mindful in

May. She is passionate about

using technology to create

conscious communities that

can make positive change in

the world and has inspired

thousands of people worldwide to meditate

while raising money to build clean water

projects in developing countries.

associated with higher level brain

functions such as the capacity to calm

ourselves in the heat of an emotion and

communicate and problem solve with

greater effectiveness.

Building gratitude

The daily routine and challenges of

motherhood can easily make you numb

to the miracle that you actually created a

human being! Mindfulness helps us slow

down and absorb the miracle of creation

in each moment. We can watch in full

presence and awe at our little children

learning new skills, like how to use a

spoon ... and suddenly the morning

porridge ritual becomes a miraculous

spectacle. Whether it’s being more

present to the delight of a child playing

with bubbles, or taking a moment to

listen to the peaceful sound of their

breath when sleeping, mindfulness can

deepen our appreciation of the little

miracles that are there in every moment,

if only we remembered to pay attention.

“Acknowledging the

good that you already have

in your life is the foundation

for all abundance.”

—Eckhart Tolle

As we practice mindfulness in

motherhood, we model a powerful skill

to our children, supporting them to

meet life with greater wisdom, self-

compassion, and resilience.

Get Mindful in May

Regular mindfulness meditation, rather

than duration is the key. Just 10 minutes

a day, every day, is far more likely to

improve your sense of wellbeing than

30 minutes once a week.

It can be hard to get started, or keep

yourself on track. Mindful in May is a

global mindfulness meditation challenge

that teaches you how to meditate for

10 minutes a day, while raising funds to

bring clean, safe water to developing

nations; 1 in 10 people don’t have access

to clean water.

Create more focus, clarity and calm

in your life with a month of inspiring

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introduce you to world leaders in

wellbeing, along with daily motivation

and coaching to support your new

mindful habit. Dedicating your

practice to positively impacting others

is a win, win.

Get Mindful in May:

Register at

mindfulinmay.org now

to commit to 10 mins of

mindfulness a day and

help bring clean water

to the world.