On Fridays I post a list of links that caught my attention over the past week. Some are related to the monthly theme – in July we’re focusing on gratitude. Others I just think are helpful. Enjoy!

• Prozac in the Yogurt Aisle: Can ‘Good’ Bacteria Chill Us Out | NPR – “The idea that how we feel is strongly connected to what’s in our gut – including the ‘beneficial bacteria’ in some foods we eat – shouldn’t come as a surprise, one researcher says. We have ‘gut instincts’, and if we’re brave we’re ‘gutsy’, he notes. ‘We refer to butterflies in our tummy if we’re feeling a bit anxious. So, we portray a raft of human emotions directly in our gut.'”
• Yoga Gets Trendier – But Is It Losing Its Roots? | YAHOO – “And then there’s the differentiation between yoga – where you’re being taught to find your center, work on your breath, and think about where your mind is going – and yoga done to pop music at full blast, where you’re moving super fast to get a ‘bikini body’…There’s obviously the pull of consumerism and the idealized beautiful body…But these ‘take away from what [these practices] have to offer: a more spiritual rooted, deeper alternative to the rest of the culture.'”
• Learn the Ujjayi Breathing Technique | Yoga Journal – You may have heard about this common pranayama (yogic breathing technique) in your yoga class. It’s both an energizing and relaxing practice. Learn the simple technique here and harness more power from your breath during your next asana practice.
• 7 Fun Ways to Teach Your Kids About Mindfulness | MindBodyGreen – This summer I’ve taught ongoing kids and teen yoga classes for the first time in my three years as a yoga teacher. I was surprised by how enthusiastic the kids are about meditation. Check out these fun mindfulness activities to introduce the little yogis in your life to the idea of meditation. Give these a try at home or in the classroom. Trust me, they’ll love it!
• The Writing Assignment That Changes Lives | NPR – As a writer, of course I already believe in the power of the written word, but here’s some evidence to back it up. Although this piece specifically talks about improving student outcomes, the lesson is applicable to people of any age. Exploring your Self through writing and using that information to set goals is a powerful experience. Ask anyone who’s been to one of my Mindful Goal Setting Workshops. This process reminds me a little bit of creative visualization. Oh, the power of mindfulness.