Guru Tude

Loretta & I have two cats that she insisted on living with us, once we got married & moved in together. My family had pets growing up, but not cats, so it took a little getting used to. However, I like them and they both have very distinct personalities.

"Tude" is the more shy of the two, and spent the first couple months hiding under our bed and in the walk-in closet. Although still wary of company, he is the more vocal of the two cats now, especially when he wants food. He is also the cuddle bug, and snuggles right up next to Loretta or I in bed at night.

We have come to discover that Tude is attracted to chanting... Whenever Loretta sits in our pillow area and does her Kundalini yoga "tuning in" mantra, he will come toward her & start chirping. Last night, I was sitting in the pillow room reading, and tried to get Tude to come over. The stubborn cat that he is, he just walked away. So, I started doing deep "Om" chants and he immediately came over and started vocalizing excitedly. Then, he sat down right next to me and stared intensely as I continued to chant.

Here's the pic I took when he came to sit next to me:

 

We now jokingly call him "Guru Tude" and I said maybe he was a monk in a past life. He looks like a wise old guru, with a white beard and penetrating eyes. I guess he is now the Conscious Living for YOU mascot!

Here he is sitting majestically like a Turkish sultan in our pillow area:

-Paul Micarelli

Yoga at Shalick High School

Recently, Loretta was asked to teach a few sessions of yoga at Shalick High School here in NJ, for their teacher's in-service. The theme for the day was "Health & Wellness".

We had a great turnout for two of the classes, and we had a lot of positive feedback. Loretta taught the classes a moderate yoga flow, & I ended the session with a guided body scan meditation to bring it to a relaxing end.

It was a great opportunity for us to work together, helping the community to achieve better mind & body health. If you or your organization would like us to host an event or workshop for yoga, meditation, relaxation, or other wellness goals- contact us through our website:

Conscious Living for YOU

I am hoping to edit together a short compilation video very soon, but here are some pics from the event for now:

 

 

-Paul Micarelli

"Finding Peace for Parents in Times of Stress" Workshop

This workshop on mindfulness & relaxation techniques for parents was held at Pennsville School District in NJ on 1/24/19, with yoga instructor Loretta DeStefano-Micarelli, RN-BSN & her husband
Paul Micarelli.

We gave parents and staff various techniques to relax and increase mindfulness in their everyday life. The workshop offered scientific insights into the environmental & physiological origins of stress, and the proven ways to relieve the anxiety that plagues our physical, mental, & spiritual being.

• For more info, please visit our website:

www.ConsciousLivingForYOU.net

Here is a short clip of the intro to our presentation:

This is the full workshop, with an informative slideshow & relaxation exercises:

"Fireside Flow" with Loretta & Paul

 
My wife Loretta is a nurse & a yoga instructor, and has always been very health-conscious. She has brought so much positive change into my life... I am deeply grateful for her presence, and tell her so every day.

Together, we formed "Conscious Living for You" to help other people achieve better health in mind, body, & spirit.

Besides her yoga teaching, we have begun doing workshops together that incorporate yoga, meditation, and relaxation techniques using medical & scientific research. We just did a presentation on mindfulness and stress relief practices to parents of a local school district. (I will be posting that video soon.)

Yoga has really been a catalyst for both of us to raise our physical and mental health to new levels. I try to go to as many of her classes as we can, and sometimes we practice together.

Last week, on a freezing January night, we had the fireplace going and did a "Fireside Flow". We got heated up pretty quick and started taking shirts & socks off, while our cat Bella was roaming around in the background.

Here is the full session, which is about 40min, so feel free to bookmark and follow along for a great workout when you can! It is not an easy flow, but that is how we have challenged ourselves to become better and stronger.

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-Paul Micarelli

Donut Meditation

Poor donut... the cupcake instructor meant your spiritual center, not your physical one!

As long as you're not a donut, we can help you find YOUR center through yoga & meditation! Visit our website for more information & to get in touch:

www.ConsciousLivingForYou.net

-Paul Micarelli

The Year Coming to An End

The year of 2018 is coming to an end. What have you done, and what can you reflect on? 

The year ending always seems to be time when people look into the future and want to make a "resolution" for change. Change is never ending and we will ALWAYS face it. Not just once a year, but every moment, day, week, month and year of our existence. As we grow old as souls in the physical body, we come to terms with the aging that happens to the physical matter that we exist in. The soul has no relevance, or effect from time, but change is evolution to the bright light within us. 

The Divine Source/Light/God/Vortex etc... is with in you and within EVERYTHING. Acknowledging, concentrating on this light, becoming this light and honoring this light will take you to new levels EVERY SINGLE DAY. How can WE do this in our everyday life? 

I would like to take some time to reflect on some important memories and moments in my life from 2018. 

Love of Family

Fit Barn and My Yoga Journey

Friends

My Husband's 40th Birthday

  

My Union with My Love 

My Fitness Journey 

Love and Me and My Husband's 1st Christmas in Our Own Home! 

My Husband's Success 

My Career and the Wonderful people I Collaborate With 

I am so deeply grateful for all of yeses wonderful events in my life, and any that I did not mention, which is tons more, I am grateful for as well. :) Lets bring 2019 on!! 

Thank you for visiting :)

With Gratitude-

Loretta DeStefano-Micarelli

What are you grateful for? Where do you envision more abundance in your life? 

If you wish to Follow and post about yourself: 

PLEASE VISIT ConsciousLivingForYou on FACE BOOK!! 

We would love to hear it! 

Yoga for Inmates

 
In Western society, prison is viewed as a punishment- a "time-out" from society.

Although there are undoubtedly dangerous & broken people who may be beyond repair, many people are incarcerated for non-violent or drug offenses. The way our system is set up makes it difficult to become a well-adjusted citizen and re-enter the community once time is served.

If the focus was really on rehabilitation and education, it would make the tax dollars we spend on prisoners a better investment. Of course, one growing problem is the proliferation of "for-profit" private prisons. Just like corporations, the only thing that really matters is the bottom line. How much money can be squeezed from every person & situation is the guiding principle. The benefit to society and the individual is secondary, if it's even a consideration!

One proven way to help rehabilitate those in prison is practicing yoga, which has tangible benefits for both mind & body. The physical activity, combined with the art of self-control through breathing and physical discipline, goes a long way to changing the mindset of people who practice it.

I saw an article about this psychiatry study that demonstrated how yoga practice can reduce the psychological distresses of inmates- such as paranoia and anxiety.

PsyPost:

Study: Yoga practice reduces the psychological distress and paranoid thoughts of prison inmates

The most important aspect is the positive effect it has toward re-introducing the person back into society. From the study: "The provision of opportunities for prison inmates to carry out physical activity in general and yoga exercise in particular can be an important tool for improving their reintegration into society and for helping them lead a drug free and law-abiding lifestyle upon release." 

If we can get past the Puritan heritage in how we deal with people who break the law, and try to improve, rather than just punish, the individual, then it would solve many of the problems with our prison system and the people we place into it.

Here is a video I came across while researching the topic, of a project being carried out in Seattle called Yoga Behind Bars:

Yoga Behind Bars Is Reshaping These Prisoners' Lives

-Paul Micarelli

Private Yoga Lessons & Parties!

As Loretta's yoga practice has expanded into teaching at multiple studios, we have also been looking to promote private 1-on-1 lessons & group events.

She has been booking personal classes & parties, and is also teaming up with Robbie Bacon to offer Thai Yin Yoga with deep stretching and body work.

I created this graphic so she can start promoting this awesome service online.

if you are interested in booking Loretta for lessons or yoga party, contact us through our website:

www.ConsciousLivingForYou.net

or through our Facebook page @ConsciousLivingForYou www.Facebook.com/ConsciousLivingforYou

-Paul Micarelli

Take the High Ground

One way that I want to help reach people through our Conscious Living for You page is using my design skills to create motivational or inspirational graphics.

"If you always take the HIGH GROUND...

No one can walk all over you." 

 

-Paul Micarelli

If we act out each moment with confidence and integrity, we become immune to the negativity or manipulative behavior of others. Stand tall, and never let others bring you down. When you rise above unconscious patterns of behavior, you become like a mountain- firm, unmovable, and unable to be crushed.

-Graphic by Paul Micarelli

The Conscious Living for YOU Website is Here!

Loretta & I created the brand and this blog for Conscious Living For YOU as a resource for people who want to lead a healthier lifestyle.

In addition to being a creative professional and being interested in spirituality & meditative traditions, I have a science background and love to learn about everything.

Loretta is a nurse and a yoga teacher with a RN, BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). She has a strong background in science, health, nutrition, and a passion for naturopathy and an integrative approach to medicine.

After working on it last weekend, I'm excited to announce the new website for Conscious Living For YOU is live!

www.ConsciousLivingForYOU.net

It will be the central location for all info on Loretta's yoga classes, as well as a source for my graphic design for health & wellness businesses.

We hope to inspire others to improve their state of being, mental & physical. We also hope to inform on the best practices of both science & spirituality.

 Please check it out, and share it if you think others will be interested. Thank you!

-Paul Micarelli