Breathe, Empower, Achieve

August 19, 2019
Mindfulness instructor Moralis (Breathe, Mama, Breathe) continues her gentle, charitable approach to mindfulness with this helpful guide. Intended for working women and made up primarily of mindfulness lessons and prompts, Moralis’s plan is spiced with humor, interviews, and plenty of inspirational quotes. After introducing the foundation elements, common practices, and neuroscience of mindfulness and meditation (what Moralis calls “the most powerful one-two punch”), she presents mindfulness breaks (planned daily time for quiet contemplation) centered on routines (such as getting coffee and commuting), goals (such as accessing the “ego state” or surviving the afternoon slump), and emotions (such as dealing with feelings of envy). Noting that unrealistic expectations placed on women often lead to stress, Moralis provides a healthy salve of compassionate encouragement to help women step back from hectic, overloaded agendas. “There’s another way to live. We can pause, take a few breaths... and increase our capacity for assertiveness, empowerment, and leadership, regardless of occupation.” Other lessons and tips include tracking how one spends energy, managing discomfort, combating self-criticism, and setting plans to accomplish goals. Readers wanting to find simple ways to bring mindfulness into their lives will find this empathetic, enjoyable guide to be a beneficial tool.