Personal Best

Photo: Foto Bohemia

Bradford Stevens Making Positive Change

Bradford Stevens is a dog dad of two amazing pups and owner of VKNG ROW, a small group fitness studio right outside downtown Tampa in Hyde Park. workouts whenever I can make free time. With my runs set in stone, I know that no matter how hectic the week, I will at least always have those.”

Like most, Stevens has a hectic schedule and finds it hard “My Miss-America-goal is to make a positive change for the to make time for a lot of things. “Running two small businesses, people around me,” said Stevens. “My personal fitness goals are and working on a PhD in Human Health and Performance, constantly changing and advancing. I never want physical inability doesn’t leave me with much free time, but I learned early on to be my reason to not be able to do something. I want to be that putting my fitness first is what puts my health and wellness able to be put into any situation and be able to do well.” M first,” said Stevens. “I have set days in which I run early in the morning, no matter what, and then I will mix in my other

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MINDFULLNESS

Starting Your Day In A Positive Way.

By Mary Lou Janson

aking up feeling refreshed, relaxed and ready to tackle the day? Or struggling to open your eyes, already stressed about work, family matters, health W Less than a year after launching, Stehlik is already expanding the private group into a public forum to accommodate more followers and allow presentations to be shared. issues or any other concerns that make hearts race, bodies tense The Mayo Clinic defines mindfulness as a “type of meditation and breathing become short and shallow? in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing Whether these are recent afflictions caused these uncertain and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. times or on-going issues that show no signs of abating, there is Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided cause for concern. imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help Hoping to help others take control of their lives by taking a reduce stress.” breath, Tampa resident Jessie Stehlik launched a Facebook group Stehlik, a professional photographer, has no formal training in last summer featuring healers from around the world. She created yoga or breath work. But she is a big believer in how those practices an online community that brings people together to practice can help overcome feelings of anxiety and loneliness, which is why breathing techniques, participate in guided visualizations and she features trained instructors. identify intentions designed to enhance their mindfulness. Michele Smith, founder of The Resiliency School in Tampa, The group, “5 Minutes To Sunrise,” engages followers for has donated her time and talents to the group since last June. She about 15 minutes weekday mornings with live presentations that recognized the value of providing life-affirming connections to a provide participants opportunities to learn from, and benefit from, community and acknowledges it has provided her with a positive, each other. All sessions are available via video so if the mere creative outlet. thought of getting up at daybreak is enough to induce stress, “I like to be silent in the mornings so it was a challenging six simply skip the live lessons to view them any time. months for me,” Smith recalled. Work conflicts eventually inter“I host professionals who have an understanding of how to rupted her regular Monday morning sessions, but she continues use our breath to calm ourselves. I have all different takes on those to contribute to the group. “Just a few minutes of meditation every techniques, from scientific to those who connect to chakras day can help improve sleep quality, digestion, focus and creativity. (connected energy points in the body),” said Stehlik. “They lead us This is a very simple, free, self-care ritual that also provides a through a short meditation to start the day off right.” sense of community. It’s wonderful,” she added. “This is purely authentic and simple. There is no bigger plan,” Becca Childress, a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and owner Stehlik said of the free service. “I just wanted to raise a collective of Becca Childress Yoga and Wellness in Fredericksburg, VA. first awareness to start the day by being mindful. If this affects just one learned about the site through a mutual friend of Jessie’s. person’s morning, I feel like we’ve done our job.” “People are drawn together energetically during this unusual time. Even though 2020 was one of the most challenging years in our lifetime, amazing things came out of it, like groups like this,” Childress said. “I look forward to the time I get to spend with this group. In a world that is feeling so disconnected, this is a way to feel connected. People need people and this allows me to offer techniques I know are effective at calming the heart and calming our thoughts.”

“It’s been fun. So much unexpected happiness has come out of this,” says Jessie Stehlik — Founder and Creator of 5 Minutes To Sunrise.