Join me on this enlightening episode of Mindfulness Monday as I sit down with Charles, an acupuncturist and herbalist from Grand Marais, Minnesota. Charles shares his journey of moving to this community and taking over the local acupuncture practice. He introduces us to the neoclassical style of acupuncture he practices, which emphasizes palpation and the interconnectedness of human and environmental factors. Charles reflects on his path to acupuncture, his background in human ecology, and his experiences with Qigong, offering insights into the profound impact of acupuncture on both practitioners and patients.

Listen in as we explore the complexities of working with other people's energy and bodies in acupuncture and bodywork. Charles discusses the challenges of distinguishing and separating personal energy from that of clients, sharing techniques for managing energy transference. We touch on the historical and philosophical aspects of acupuncture, including the significance of the Neijing Studies and the universal breath concept. Our conversation also delves into the emotional dimensions of health, the impact of seasonal changes on the body, and how recent unusual weather patterns have influenced current patterns of illness and allergies.

This episode also highlights the importance of community and mindfulness in fostering healing and introspection. We discuss how individual mindfulness and empathy can contribute to a larger cultural shift, creating safe spaces for healing. Additionally, Charles shares his experiences with mindfulness in parenting, emphasizing the importance of grace. Finally, we explore the interconnectedness of mindfulness, energy work, and the traditional Chinese medicine concept of the five elements, offering practical advice on finding balance and health. Tune in for a thought-provoking and heartwarming conversation that underscores the power of mindfulness and community support.

Guest Bio: Charles Bishop is an acupuncturist, husband, father, small business owner, and hopelessly captivated by everything life brings his way. He has studied beekeeping in New Zealand, Buddhism in Japan, Human Ecology in Mexico and Maine, and Acupuncture in Minnesota and Oregon. And at each place an unexpected lesson or direction arose. Whether he is learning career planning from an ex-con beekeeper or Qigong after school from his philosophy professor, there is no scarcity of teachers and the serendipity to connect with them.

Charles earned a BA in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine and holds a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (now the American Academy of Health and Wellness) in Roseville, Minnesota. He later continued his acupuncture studies with Korean Sa’am style under Dr. Toby Daily and most recently Neoclassical Acupuncture under the instruction of Dr. Slate Burris.

Living on the indescribably beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior, Charles is busy raising four young boys with his amazing wife Grace and running Artemisia Acupuncture & Apothecary, a general practice acupuncture clinic and herbal medicine shop. He often stays up too late reading and occasionally sneaks out to kayak under moonlight.

Welcome back to Mindfulness Monday, where your journey towards a more balanced and mindful life continues. This week, I'm thrilled to guide you through the transformative practice of box breathing. Whether you're battling anxiety, seeking to stay present, or just looking to enhance your physical activity, breath work is a powerful ally. As we explore this simple yet profound technique together, you'll discover how to harness the rhythm of your breath to create a tranquil mental space, no matter where you are or what's happening around you.

Listen in as I walk you through the four equal phases of box breathing—inhale, pause, exhale, pause—and share how to integrate this practice seamlessly into your day-to-day life. Remember, mindfulness doesn't require special tools; your breath is your ever-present companion on this path to inner peace. So, find a quiet spot, and let's journey inward. And if you find this episode enriching, don't forget to share your thoughts with WTIP. Your feedback helps us continue bringing content that makes a difference to your Mondays—and every day in between.

Embark on a transformative expedition into the heart of mindfulness with our esteemed guest, Mel Eldridge from Two Birds Studio. Mel opens up about her unexpected foray into the realm of intuitive bodywork and massage, and how her career blossomed from a family-inspired interest into a life calling. She walks us through her eclectic mix of healing practices, from Thai bodywork to yin yoga, and shares how these methods not only serve her clients but also catalyzed her personal mindfulness voyage.

Listen in as we reflect on the complexities of managing emotions within the professional sphere of therapy and wellness. As an empath, Mel discussed the importance of distinguishing between her own emotions and those of her clients, a maze that mindfulness helped her navigate. Our discussion underlines the power of quieting the mind, and how the art of being present can transform our lives by revealing the beauty in the subtleties that often go unnoticed.

Explore with us the surprising mindfulness benefits that bodywork offers, akin to a form of passive mindfulness. Discover how practices such as massage can elicit a meditative state, releasing happiness hormones, and reducing stress, all through the power of intention. As we delve into the connection between mindfulness and bodywork, we realize that our journey towards inner peace is interwoven with the threads of communal compassion.

Guest Bio: Melanie Eldridge is an intuitive Thai bodywork and massage therapist, energy worker, reusi dat ton and
yin yoga instructor, educator, and life-long student. Her goal is to cultivate safe and nurturing healing
environments to help people feel better in and more connected to their bodies by accessing their
intuitive healing potential through bodywork, relaxation therapies, and self-care practices for overall
wellness of body, mind, and spirit. A wide array of extensive training, study, and experience in the
alternative healing arts field, at home and abroad, enables her to guide individuals toward integrating
beneficial holistic healing practices into their lives.

Mel co-founded Two Birds Healing Arts Center in Grand Marais, MN and has called the area home since
2016. She feels fortunate to play an active role in the vibrant and dynamic healing community of the
enchantingly magical north shore.

Have emotions ever taken the driver's seat in your life? This Mindfulness Monday, I'm Carly Jean Puck, and I'll guide you through embracing the full spectrum of your feelings with a meditation practice designed for acceptance without judgment. Today, we illuminate the often-overlooked power within our emotions and discover how to weave acceptance into the fabric of our daily routines.

Together, we'll venture into a space where frustration, sadness, and anger are met with an open heart, recognizing them as neither disruptors nor badges of honor, but as natural aspects of our being. It's easier said than done but that's why we practice. Remember to reach out to WTIP with your reflections, ensuring that conversations like these continue to enrich our community.

On this week's Mindfulness Monday podcast I'm thrilled to sit down with Marcia Hyatt, an expert in leadership development and the voice behind the "Best of Ourselves" podcast. Together, we navigate the compelling intersection of mindfulness and leadership, unraveling how self-awareness and presence are not just buzzwords but essential tools for any effective leader. Listen in as Marcia shares her transition from leading teams to coaching executives, offering invaluable insights into how embracing our authentic selves can enhance our capacity to lead and inspire.

We unpack the idea that by cultivating patience and self-compassion, leaders can transform challenges into opportunities for growth. The journey toward authentic leadership is demystified as we discuss the importance of recognizing the stories we tell ourselves and distinguishing between reactive impulses and grounded decision-making. We wrap up with actionable advice for any leader or individual looking to weave mindfulness into their professional fabric, emphasizing that our magnificence starts from within. As we conclude this week's podcast, we reflect on the power of mindfulness in both our personal and professional lives, even amidst the busiest of schedules. Marcia offers a poignant reminder of how simple acts, like pausing for a deep breath or connecting with nature, can serve as portals to greater mindfulness.

Guest Bio: We are so much more than we know. Building our capacity to be present we become more self-aware. With this awareness we see choices that lead to a more generative and intentional life. Having worked with leaders (and herself) over the past several decades, guest Marcia Hyatt knows change is possible. She believes that we can move beyond our patterns to become increasingly more grounded and aware; to become leaders in our own lives and in the world. Marcia has experience working inside corporations, government, higher education, and non-profits. In 1991, she co-founded a leadership consulting firm, and in 1997, she co-founded a public Women's Leadership development program that is still operating today. In 2008, in collaboration with WTIP, she created a weekly radio feature, Best of Ourselves. She is certified by Power & Systems (systems thinking), the Deep Coaching Institute and International Coaching Federation (coaching), and the International Enneagram Association (enneagram professional). Marcia currently resides in the northwoods of Minnesota with her husband and their two dogs.

Join me, Carly Jean Puch, on this Mindfulness Monday as we explore the simple yet powerful practice of a five senses meditation. This week, immerse yourself in a guided session designed to ground you in the present moment by engaging all your senses. Whether you're sitting comfortably at home or tuning in for inspiration on-the-go, this episode promises to offer a tranquil respite from the chaos of daily life, guiding you towards a more mindful and balanced existence.

Remember, mindfulness isn't one-size-fits-all, and here you'll find the freedom to discover what resonates with your mind and body. So, if you're ready to respond more thoughtfully to life's challenges, rather than react impulsively, give this episode a listen and let's journey together towards a more present and centered you.

Join us as we explore the transformative world of trauma-conscious yoga and mindfulness with our insightful guest Kyle Leia Heyesen . Together, we uncover the studio's commitment to fostering a healing-centered community, offering a diverse range of classes and training programs that honor the wholeness of each individual. Listen in as we also discuss the intertwining of yoga practice with social work, emphasizing the impact of societal structures on personal well-being and the importance of a supportive environment for growth and healing.

This episode takes you on a journey through everyday mindfulness, illustrating how simple practices like conscious breathing can anchor us in the present and enhance mental health through neuroplasticity. Discover the gentle power of self-compassion as our guest shares personal anecdotes, emphasizing the absurdity of self-criticism and the value of laughter in the face of life's ironies. Embrace the notion that the practice of mindfulness is key to transformation, and reflect on the challenges of moving beyond a hustle culture towards a more self-accepting, joy-filled life.

Guest Bio: Kyle Leia Heyesen is the founder of Svälja Yoga and owner of and Lead Teacher at the House of the Gathering Yoga School. Her specialty is Trauma-Conscious Yoga. She is an Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and a certified Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP).

Kyle has training in trauma-informed yoga from Firefly Yoga International , the Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), and Transcending Sexual Trauma Through Yoga. She has further training in Mindfulness Based Stressed Reduction (MBSR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), and various social work oriented trauma-informed practice approaches including the 40 hour train-the-trainer certificate for Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice Systems.

This Monday, I take you through a calming practice that can easily integrate into your daily routine. We've heard from various guests this season about the importance of presence during our meals, and this episode provides you with a simple yet effective meditation to truly savor your food. Whether you're snacking on blueberries or enjoying a hearty lunch, this exercise will help you connect with your meal, pay attention to your senses, and foster gratitude for the nourishment you receive.

Listen in as I invite you to find comfort in your seat and embark on a sensory journey with your food. We'll explore the aroma, texture, and taste of each bite, transforming a mundane act into a nourishing ritual. If you've ever found yourself mindlessly eating while distracted by technology or work, this episode is an opportunity to slow down and reconnect. As we close, I'll remind you to carry this newfound mindfulness forward. Don't forget to let WTIP know how much you're enjoying the Mindfulness Monday podcast, and tune in next week for more practices to enrich your daily life.