Welcome to my new “Rivest Method of Joyful Living” Blog.

In this blog series we will explore many aspects of the Rivest Method: Mindfulness, pranayama, breathing exercises, tension relief, stress relief, tai-chi, qigong, mime, dance, laughter yoga and wellbeing laughter.

Let’s start with how we wake up. Having a positive morning practice can affect your mood, energy, attitude and overall health. 

I start the day with a smile. 

Over 25 years ago, when I read Thich Nhat Hanh’s mindful verse “Waking up this morning, I smile.” I thought to myself “This is the way I want to wake up every morning” and, for the most part, I have. I trained myself to say “Waking up this morning I smile. Today I get to breathe, move, smilie and laugh.”  Then I visualize things I “get” to do today and see them going really well.

Next I do a series of breathing exercises from yoga, qigong and stress management techniques that always wake me up, help me breathe easier (no matter how stuffy I wake up) and bring a sense of peace and calm.

I do some light movements, eat a well rounded breakfast with veg, protein, healthy fats, and carbs. Then drive 15 min to the gym laughing along with a laughter recording, I workout, then laugh back home to start my workday. 

Those are days when I don’t have a morning gig. I adapt as needed. But I make sure at minimum, to start with a smile and my breathing practice. 

My first assignment for you is to start a morning practice (even if it’s only 3-5 min)

Choose something positive, healthy and FUN, that you really want to do.

Let me know what you chose and how it’ helps.