Jessica Cygan is quiet thunder with a dry sense of humor. You know those times when you are a part of a group session (that is distracted or going way off course) and cannot dare lock eyes for fear of laughing out loud? Her infectious smile is one of the many reasons I adore Jessica. Plus, she will tell you like it is — so, listen up, and take the medicine. I promise you will feel better afterward. Thank you, Jessica, for your kind heart.

Jessica offers 1:1 holistic health coaching, Ayurvedic consultations, and educational opportunities related to the teachings of Ayurveda and Yoga. She’s studied at Ayurveda’s World in New York City, and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts. 

To find out more about Jessica visit her website jessicapatrycja.com or on Instagram @Jessica_patrycja.

LIVING FULL CIRCLE EXCERPT: Jessica Cygan

Mornings are very special to me, and so I make it a priority to spend quiet time greeting each new day. I’ve always believed in natural remedies to maintain health. Nature provides all that the body needs—as well as the mind. A friend recommended a book that introduced the ancient practices of Ayurveda, and from there I was hooked. Learning about these easy and often overlooked techniques has provided me with a wealth of knowledge, which is now intuitive. This has empowered me to go deeper in my exploration of breathwork and its role in the body-mind connection. I wake up early every morning and begin with prayer, gentle stretching, and, if nature allows, a run in the park. Next are breakfast and coffee, where I mindfully am present for the meal in front of me. Then it is “go time,” and I am off to work. I am steadily building a deeper awareness of my breath and its power to help me stay fully present throughout the day.  I practice scanning my breath. My consistency is key to strengthening my abilities through daily meditation, breathwork, and subtle yoga postures. The breath is the manifestation of my vital life force, which I can inconspicuously manage throughout the day. Try this for the week and see what happens for you. — Jessica Cygan

Ancient Ritual:  Breath Scan

• Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
• Take two minutes and notice your breath. 
• Breathe through your nose, not your mouth, and keep your mouth closed.
• Let your belly expand as air flows in and release as air flows out.
• If your breath is rough or uneven, stop and relax.
• As you breathe in and out, count each breath cycle.
• If you become distracted, begin the counting again. 
• Set a goal to breathe through ten cycles that are smooth and steady

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