1. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment. Whether it may be at home, on the job, or in leisure, practicing mindfulness can reduce stress and even make people happier.
The Ann Arbor Center of Mindfulness (AACFM) makes available various programs to promote mindfulness for participants. They have an upcoming Introduction to Mindfulness 4-week series on Thursday evenings from June 6 to June 27.
2. Meditate
Mediation may aid people with certain mental health conditions by managing stress and improving an overly negative outlook. Ann Arbor is fortunate to be the home of many mediation centers. This includes Insight Mediation Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Mediation Circle.
3. Yin yoga
Yin yoga is a specific kind of yoga that offers meditation through the holding of various positions for long periods of time. It also focuses on the balance of more needed yin, rather than the yang for balance. The Chinese concept of yin includes greater emphasis on slowing down, the feminine, softness and serenity. Top-rated Ann Arbor yin yoga outlets include Tiny Buddha Yoga, Ita Yoga Studio, and Liberty Athletic Club.
4. Healing Music
Ann Arbor has an amazing musical landscape and many musicians in Ann Arbor have a musical focus on healing attributes. One local musician is Norma Gentile who calls herself a “Sound Shaman.” Gentile explains that distress is magnified when we are surrounded by other people expressing fear and pain. Instead, Gentile emphasizes healing chants in her music. It give space, time and serenity. Gentile also offers private healing sessions.
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5. Absorb Nature
Ann Arbor is blessed with so many ways to absorb nature. Focusing on one sense, such as hearing to absorb the natural sounds around you is an amazing way to meditate and be mindful. Consider listening to the bubbling water sounds at Barton damn or the Argo cascades. The Arb, Matthei Botanical Gardens and Gallup Park are also amazing places to delight your eyes and ears, such as focusing on the various kinds of songs the birds are singing.
6. Journal
Writing down your thoughts and feelings is a great way to check in and thoughtfully express yourself. Many local businesses cater to helping you capture your thoughts and express yourself. Literati and Crazy Wisdom bookstores are just two well-known venues with journals. RoosRoast on Rosewood has a beautiful table with chairs all around it for everyone to sit together with “community journals” placed upon it for people to share their writing with everyone. In many of these places, you can enjoy a soothing warm drink while you write.
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Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
