face fear (3).png — MINDFULNESS NINJA

**By definition:**
Mindfulness is a two step process. First, **in the present moment**, we sit and listen to our feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment (ie: What is my brain saying? What is my body saying? What do I need?). Then, with these observations, we take **ACTION** in creating solutions to care for any part that is “off-balance.” Being a mindfulness ninja means that we do not leave ourselves behind and we practice placing boundaries to keep our reservoir full so we can then continuously pour into others without risking an internal drought. When we are mindful, we are **FULLY** human.

Does this sound familiar?

Have you ever ate at desk while working? What about repeating something someone just said? Have you driven home from work and can’t remember seeing the road because your thoughts clouded your “vision?” Have you ever scarfed a meal in two minutes without breathing in-between bites? Do you ever get out of the shower and not remember if you used the shampoo? What about doing something when you were told not to, especially because doing that something is triggering for your partner, friend, or peer? These are all small moments of being unmindful.

Why Practice “Mindfulness?"

Mindfulness is a process and a tool we bring to any situation. Mindful of our immediate senses and needs. For example, ask yourself: Is it running away from me or steady on beat? Where are is my body settled? Are my limbs relaxed, tingling, or shaking? Am I hungry and yearning? Am I gathered and balanced OR distracted by running dialogues of worry, hearing only my own opinions and judgments?

Mindfulness practices helps us get closer to ourselves. What is my heart telling me? Where is my body in space? What am I looking at? Am I aware of my seven-year-old as a whole person? Here’s a hint: you can’t be attentive to others if you’re not aware of yourself as a whole person. Nothing is as important as being aware of yourself and everything occurring in this present moment.

The Benefits of “Being a Mindful Ninja”

and challenge, joy and chaos. MINDFULLY we don’t turn away from suffering OR happiness, from our inadequacies, fears OR joys. No one is spared the difficulties and challenges of a living, breathing real life! We must commit to gain full access to our mind, body, emotions and spirit and embrace life in the present moment. When we are mindful, we are FULLY HUMAN and experience the oppportunity to become one.

Mindfulness is not just meditation, it is a daily practice. It helps us focus, stay on task, communicate more effectively and empathically, not get caught in cycles of rumination and worry, build and and lean more into our intuition, become more aware of our strengths and weaknesses, become aware of our distractions, and move us to taking action. Become a Mindfulness Ninja and engage with the entire experience in all it's beauty and terror, confusion

How Can We Practice Being a “Mindfulness Ninja?”

Below are some exercises that give you an opportunity to practice the art of being a “mindfulness ninja”.