Writing
Â
PLEASE CHECK BACK REGULARLY FOR ADDED REFLECTIONS & OTHER WRITING
In my twenties, I was working full-time as an association membership director, and going to law school at night, taking five classes that first semester. Part of my job was to draft and publish the as...
A common concern clients and others share with me is the constant busyness of the mind. Sometimes people intentionally avoid quiet so they don't have to be alone with their thoughts. Also common.
And...
Stress is inevitable. Responding thoughtfully to the inner pressure that builds when we are stressed can be hard.
Sometimes, you can proactively modify your behavior or mindset before the stressful s...
Anticipating, managing, and trying to meet the expectations of others is common. Very human.
But it can take up a lot of energy. And that's the case whether those expectations are realistic or not.
...
What are your days like? Full of back-to-back decisions, judgments, and transitions from one meeting, deadline, patient, or client to the next?
From my experience, it's rarely the work itself that we...
Every moment has its own importance and can foster increased awareness.
The act of washing dishes itself, for example, is not generally considered an important or reverent act. But it can bring a sim...
 The Noise Around & WithinÂ
The world is so incredibly noisy right now. Others demand (or we demand of ourselves) that we shift priorities, move things along more quickly, and do more with less. But,...
Lately Iâve been noticing how much our energy really does move in waves. You may see it in your own lifeâthe way energy rises and falls based on eating patterns, or how it shifts after a positive inte...
In Qigong, an ancient Chinese mindful movement practice, there is a foundational principle of active relaxation (versus slouching and lazy relaxing đ), called Fang Song Gong. There are a number of co...
Do you set impractical standards for the way you handle situations at home, in social settings, or at work? Â Do you beat yourself up when you donât get it totally right? Â Â If yes, then you are likely ...
Do people expect a lot from you? If youâre reading this article on how to decide when to set boundaries it is likely your answer is yes. Let me also ask you this â do othersâ demands on and expectati...
Non-reaction can benefit you in many important ways, including in helping you manage stress and improve relationships. Using slow, diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, and other informal mindfulness p...
Kind Words About Stephanie
"Stephanie is a thoughtful coach, guiding with insightful pacing and placing caches of wisdom within reach. She was faultlessly professional and generous. I appreciated her patience, wisdom, warmth, and humor."Â
-Catherine
"LiveWellFlowâs courses consistently help remind me to focus on the ânow.â As the ultimate âplanner,â I can get consumed with âwhatâs nextâ and not truly express gratitude for the present! This course was the mindfulness reminder I needed!"
-Tracey Kenney
"The class helped me to understand that the time I invest in myself carries me through the day. It continues to help me stay grounded and present."
â Kay
Â
âStephanie is a thoughtful, compassionate, and empathetic coach. She has been direct and forthright, not allowing me to hide behind the excuses or "stories" as she aptly calls them, which I know don't serve me well. She has shown a dedication and focused energy that has helped me to hone in on effective, practical ways to proceed - not simply with a job search, but with a real pathway forward in my life as a working mom. I highly recommend her for any life, wellness, or job coaching needs you may have!â
-MF
Â
"These meditations are so helpful to help me let go to the busyness of my mind."
-Shirley Hubalek
"Stephanie is a wonderful teacher. She has a very welcoming and gentle manner, so whether it is your first class or your 50th, you feel you are where you belong and can follow along with the movements easily. I have learned so many forms of qigong in Stephanieâs classes as each class is different, and she has motivated me to make qigong a daily practice.
-Nancy Axelrod
"Stephanie Lewis is a knowledgeable and professional teacher. In in her zoom-based classes on Qigong and meditation she explains and demonstrates movements to the attendees (especially the new participants). This is a great class for anyone interested in exploring skills in both mental and physical wellness."
-Kate
Â
Â
âStephanie was my coach during a challenging time in my life. She allowed me to explore ideas and feelings while challenging me to see the opportunity each one presented, and gave me the encouragement and support I needed. If you are seeking a caring, smart, mindful and experienced coach as you navigate change, I fully endorse Stephanie Lewis.â
-Janice
"Itâs been two years since our work together. While I still have not built that regular meditation practice, I do practice mindfulness daily. Iâm mindful of what I eatâeven when I make an unhealthy choice. Iâm mindful of my thoughts. Iâm able to move things out of my mind, but also able to process thoughts that I need to address. Iâm mindful of whatâs going on in my body.
The mindfulness lessons led me to finally change/manage my relationship with food. I'm eating at home 90% of the time. Iâve also developed a regular exercise routine/habit, resulting in weight loss, lower cholesterol, and improved overall health.
And a lot has changed. I got married. I changed jobs. I moved across the country to the place closest to my heart. Thatâs a lot. It couldâve been stressful. Well, it was actually. But you gave me tools. And I use them as needed.
I wanted to check in to let you know how your former pupil was doing and to say thank you!! You helped me change my life for real!Â
-Tomeka Hart
"Stephanie was such a wonderful coach, and I'm thrilled that I had the opportunity to work with her. She frequently started our sessions with a short guided meditation that I found both calming and incredibly useful as we moved on to discussions about progress I had made and possible upcoming pitfalls. I found working with Stephanie a really rewarding experience and one that I would highly recommend to others. She did a fantastic job at integrating physical, mental, and emotional health in helping me set goals for myself."
-MH
Â
"Above all, Stephanie listens in a way you truly feel heard. Iâve always had dreams, but they were wispy and cloudy, too varied to bring into focus.
Stephanie guided me to clarify which dream most needed to take precedence, and then she helped me build habits that have allowed me to realize my visions. She did this all while listening so carefully it shocked me at times, always making me feel like what I said was important.
She did not diminish any of my concerns. She listened to the realities of my situation, and helped me determine which obstacles were only perceived, which were legitimate, and which needed to be honored.
By holding up a mirror to me in important moments, she helped me set priorities.
Her professionalism is unparalleled, and her way of looking at systems gave me a different lens through which to examine various dynamics.
Nothing seemed to faze herâI asked for guidance on a contract at work, my family-work balance, and time-management.
She was masterful at determining and wading through details.
Now, many months after setting my priorities, my entire perspective of my life has shifted, and I am enormously grateful for Stephanieâs presence on my journey."
-Heather