How to Stay Centered in an Off-Kilter World? Observe.

It may not help you levitate, but the number of people meditating these days is soaring. According to the Washington Post, apps like Headspace saw a huge spike in usage during the first half of the year. On the very likely chance that trend will continue, we thought we’d learn more about meditation from Paws Up’s resident expert on the subject, Spa and Wellness Director Laura Russell-Nygard.

As she tells us, “The human mind is undeniably a powerful tool. Not only can it control our internal world but also our external world. And so, the purpose of meditation is simple:  to carefully observe one’s mind.” The benefits are almost a side effect.

Meditation brings about lots of benefits, in fact, such as the ability to lower stress levels, better feelings of connection with yourself and loved ones, improve focus and reduce brain chatter (all those voices in our head need a break, too). It can also help us achieve a better understanding of pain, which can be both mental and physical.

One of the most helpful benefits of meditation in times like ours is an improved ability to acknowledge and deal with anxiety. “And that’s something you’ll find in all areas of your life, whether it’s worrying about what to make for dinner or the current state of the world. We all deal with anxiety in different ways and on different levels,”  explains Russell-Nygard.

Meditation helps reduce anxiety by allowing you to slow down and view the world (and yourself) without judgment, which makes it possible to reduce worrying thoughts and bring about a feeling of balance, calm and focus. “All it takes is a five- or 30-minute practice. The whole idea is to give yourself time to quiet your mind while you focus on getting into a space where you can greet the day with a more positive and open-minded outlook,” she says. And you can do it anywhere and also any time. Anyone, at any age or stage in life, can do it.

Whether you’re sitting in a comfortable chair at home or finding a place out among the 37,000 acres here at Paws Up, there’s no better time than the present to begin. All that matters is that you’ve found a space where you can focus your mind and bring your attention to your daily purpose.

Through mindfulness, your meditation practice can develop into a deeper experience, purposely bringing your attention to an experience occurring in the present moment.

Get started by downloading one of the many apps available online, by playing a guided meditation video or simply by following a few steps on your own:

  1. Find a comfortable place to sit.
  2. Close your eyes.
  3. Try to make no effort to control your breath, just breathe naturally.
  4. Focus your attention on the breath and on how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation. Notice the movement of your body as your breathe. Observe your chest and shoulders, rib cage and belly. Focus your attention on your breath without controlling its pace or intensity. If your mind wanders, return your focus back to your breath.

Forest bathing, a type of meditation, and yoga meditation are two ways to begin your practice—or take it to the next level—while you’re at Paws Up.

Learn more about all our spa and wellness services at pawsup.com/spa.

My Top 5 Favorite Fall Events at Paws Up

The resort at paws up

by Katy Richardson, Paws Up Reservations Specialist

Montanans take summer seriously. This is partly due to long days of guaranteed sun and a culture that highly values the great outdoors, but, regardless, summer days in Montana are very active. We fill our time with revved-up, hair-raising adventure, taking advantage of the crystal-clear rivers that offer white water thrills, the open fields begging to be explored and the untamed beauty of mountain summits that beckon us to climb a little higher. We challenge ourselves to go higher, travel farther and get in as much as we can—every day!

fall at The resort at paws up

We take summer seriously, and, maybe as a result, we take in the fall season more slowly and thoughtfully. Ask around, and the locals will tell you that fall is also a favorite season in Montana. Every day begets a subtle change—a tamarack changing color, a meadow shifting from green to gold, a gentle slowing of the Blackfoot River—until the entire landscape has gone golden. Fish are jumping. The air is crisp, and people have an urge to cozy up and spend time together. This lends itself well to couples’ trips, culinary events and evenings around a fire. Of course, this doesn’t mean the adventure stops come autumn. We always have amazing things to explore here at Paws Up. The coming of fall simply means our guests might be more inclined to ease back in their saddles, pause on the trigger and savor a moment. We have many diverse events going on throughout the fall season. Here are my Top 5 Favorite Fall Events at Paws Up:

 Cowboy experience at the resort at paws up

  1. Cowboy Experience (October 26­–29, 2017)

Paws Up is pleased to continue our partnership with the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame to create an incredible weekend straight out of your favorite Western. The hall of famers will lead workshops and demonstrations, gallop on trail rides and share their favorite campfire stories. We end every night with an incredible gourmet meal featuring fine whiskey from three different distillers. And you’re guaranteed to rub elbows with the cowboys and cowgirls who show you the ropes throughout the day.

art of the pie at the resort at paws up

  1. Cookbook Live Presents: Art of the Pie (November 3–6, 2017)

There’s a reason why we continually invite Kate McDermott back to Paws Up every year: she’s a master at what she does. And, even better, she’s a master who’s willing to share her secrets, just like she does in her highly praised cookbook Art of the Pie. McDermott will guide you through making perfect, flaky fresh pies, just in time for you to show off to friends and family at Thanksgiving.

 AdrenZen Fall

  1. AdrenZen: Fall (October 20–23, 2017)

Combining exhilarating wilderness adventures with 37,000 acres of meditative space makes Paws Up the perfect location for a wellness weekend. With two guest instructors—celebrity yogi Kristin McGee and fitness and lifestyle expert Idalis Velazquez—you’re sure to burn calories, push yourself and get centered, all in a safe, fun environment. And with all of that exercise, you’ll need to keep your energy up. That’s where Executive Chef Ben Jones and cookbook author Alison Lewis come in. Jones will satisfy your appetite with gourmet food, healthy cocktails and private culinary instruction. Lewis will also be providing hands-on workshops with recipes from her latest cookbook, 200 Best Smoothie Bowl Recipes. Adrenaline and Zen—we’ve got them both here.

 The resort at paws up thanksgiving

  1. Thanksgiving (November 22–26, 2017)

Thanksgiving is all about coming together with the people you love, sharing memories over a beautiful meal. So, bring your loved ones to The Resort at Paws Up, and we’ll take care of everything else. We’ll baste the turkey and make sure the pies don’t burn, while you watch the big game, view the parade on TV, play a game of touch football or go on hayride. And, of course, the food will incredible. Executive Chef Ben Jones will create gourmet, upscale options, as well as Thanksgiving favorites, and even share some dishes from the Jones family recipe book. Oh, and we’ll do the dishes too.

Montana Master Chefs 

  1. Montana Master Chefs: Rising All-Stars (September 21–24, 2017)

This is the culinary event that started them all at Paws Up. There’s a reason Montana Master Chefs is at the top of my list. It encompasses so much of what I love about being on property at Paws Up in the fall: gorgeous September views, exhilarating activities, an incredible community feel and, of course, amazing, out-of-this-world meals. This year is extra special in that we’re featuring rising all-stars. These chefs may not be household names quite yet, but, when they are, you’ll be able to say you dined with them. And, rather than sampling their delicious dishes in a crowded restaurant, you’ll get to experience these masters at their craft in an intimate setting, while they tell you about their food on a personal level. This event is upscale without pretense and is exactly what Paws Up is about.

fall at the resort at paws up