At Splendid Spoon, we want to make the mindfulness world accessible. Whether you find mindfulness on your yoga mat, running, dancing, or doing jumping jacks, we encourage it! Strengthening, healing, and nourishing your body & mind is central to our philosophy. This month, we’re talking to our favorite wellness experts about what mindful movement means to them.

Today, we’re speaking to yoga teacher, nutrition coach, and wellness guru Beth Graham about how she finds mindfulness through movement:

Splendid Spoon: What does mindfulness mean to you?

Beth: As I’ve gotten older (I’m now 54) I’ve learned how to be content in the moment, mindful in the now, and hold patience for what’s ahead. When I was younger I wanted to know what the plan was and it felt horrible — like I was “forcing” life to happen. My yoga teaching and working with nutrition clients has helped me learn how to focus on just one person, which has strengthened my personal practice.

SS: What’s your favorite way to move?

BG: Yoga! Not just practicing but also teaching. Teaching (or any focused activity) is a real meditation. I’ve also reintroduced lifting weights, which I haven’t done in 15 years! [So impressed! — Ed.] To get the benefits from that, it’s become a slow, precise practice, which keeps me in the “now”.

SS: If you were one movement, what would it be?

BG: Today I’d be a Crescent Lunge, but this changes as my understanding of yoga and the body continues to grow. After practicing for 23 years, a simple posture like Crescent Lunge still has so much to teach about how to engage the body to bring more length and space.

SS: Where else do you incorporate mindfulness into your day?

BG: When I’m driving. I’m in the car a lot as I travel between the homes of my private clients, corporate classes, and meetings with nutritional clients. I use my silent drive time to center, unwind, and breathe. [Mindful commuting is one of our favorite practices! — Ed.]

SS: What’s your favorite post-movement Splendid Spoon meal?

BG: How to decide!?! There’s not one I don’t like. The Beet Balsamic Bisque is good, light, and energizing post-movement.