Katy Oberle is a licensed psychotherapist turned Creative Mindfulness Coach and singer/songwriter. Katy, a self-proclaimed recovering perfectionist, found traditional mindfulness meditation practice to be rather stressful on her nervous system because (spoiler alert!) she felt she had to do it "just right". However, once she expanded the definition of mindfulness to include creative, nature-based, and embodied practices, she was able to experience its multifaceted benefits.
Katy's presentations and workshops orient participants to the definition, purpose, and perks of mindfulness as she invites attendees to think out-of-the-box (and off-of-the-meditation-cushion!) when it comes to their mindfulness practice.
For example, mindfulness can look like: walking in the woods, listening to a song, saying grace before dinner, taking a yoga class, washing a dish, feeling the sun on your back, writing a poem, collaging, hugging your child, or petting your dog. Whenever we are engaging in an activity with intentionality and nonjudgmental, present-moment awareness, we are practicing mindfulness.
Mindfulness isn't just for monks or yogis. It doesn't have to "look" a certain way. You can bring more joy, focus, healing, and self-compassion into your life--and become better able to tolerate distress--simply by shifting where and how you are placing your attention. When you expand the definition of mindfulness, your innate creative spirit can come out to play, and that's a beautiful thing.
Katy lives in Columbus, OH with her husband and two daughters.
