3.0
July 28, 2012

Five Minutes: From Frazzled to Focused. ~ Christine Chen


“I’m overwhelmed.”

“I give up.”

Have you muttered these words under your breath or in a moment of emotional unloading to your cubicle mate?

Rather than bulldoze ahead with the popular practice of goal setting, tap into intention and get clear.

If your focus is singular and finite, and your mind is busy and full of “should” and “need” and negative thoughts, what room is there to discover:

1) capabilities?

2) better solutions?

3) alternate routes?

Connect with your intention; meditate on what’s really important before you move forward again.

Try this five-minute meditation:

>> Close the door or find a quiet place in the office

>> Close your eyes and give yourself permission to relax

>> Take deep breaths

>> Come back to your normal breathing

>> Think about what you’re doing and what you’ve been trying to do

>> Don’t blame, don’t judge

>> What are three small things that you can do that would help you

>> Open your eyes

>> Write down those three small things

>> Ask yourself: “When can I begin to move toward the first thing on my list?”

Perhaps ten breaths turn into more.

Deep, steady breathing actually sends a signal to your body and mind to calm down. From that place of calm  comes clarity, which allows you make decisions that will likely enlighten and enhance your work.

Go ahead, take five.


 Christine Chen is a two-time Emmy winning, 10-time nominated broadcast journalist, turned small business owner, turned yoga teacher in New York at community-focused NY Loves Yoga and at nationally-recognized fitness provider, David Barton Gym.

12 years ago she came to yoga to manage a variety of health problems, including spinal degeneration and stress. She’s an RYT200 from Seattle’s Yogalife and RYT500 via Om Yoga Center in New York, studying under Cyndi Lee. Special training includes Yoga for Stress Management with Gary Krafstow at Kripalu and Back Care with New York’s Yoga Union under the direction of Alison West and Deborah Wolk.

Christine is also the Director of Communications for Yoga for NY, a non-profit organization that provides an organized voice on issues facing the yoga industry. With the group’s leadership team, she works with government to help champion sustainable business practices for studios and teachers, so yoga can survive in small and large studios throughout New York state.

Christine has written about wellness for The Well Daily and Crave Company. Soon, she will releasea yoga guidebook for busy people, based on the personal yoga practice she developed during her own healing and transformation.

Off the mat, Christine is a wife, golden retriever mom, and Microsoft’s corporate webcaster on tech topics.

     ~

     Editor: April Hayes

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