BLUEMOUNTAINEAGLE.COM / 19
Canyon Mountain Center
A place for stress reduction, relaxation and well-being
By Sandy Bay
For the Blue Mountain Eagle
Jim and Sandy Bay built Canyon Moun-
tain Center in John Day as a venue for per-
sonal well-being, relaxation and self-dis-
covery. CMC offers several stress reduction
practices to support conscious and healthy
development of the mind and body.
In our busy lives, we are dragged or
driven to go-go-go, rarely being in the
moment with our actions and words. There-
fore, we are not actually enjoying, engag-
ing deeply or making conscious decisions
in our best interest. Easily pushed from
one thing to the other, multitasking our
way through our lives, running rough-shod
over everything and everyone, we are often
unconscious about what is driving most of
our choices and actions — thus operating
in “re-action” to daily events.
Stress reduction allows clear assessment
of one’s life, and of the world in general.
The following relaxation practices sup-
port personal presence, engagement and
Contributed photo
Jim and Sandy Bay stand on the
labyrinth at Canyon Mountain Center
in John Day.
Contributed photo
Canyon Mountain Center in John
Day supports conscious and healthy
development of the mind and body.
acceptance of ourselves and others. They
include:
• Sitting meditation
• Labyrinth — walking meditation
• Yoga and Pilates
• River walks
With these practices and others, one can
develop the ability to listen more deeply
to ourselves, to others and to be more
engaged with the present moment — which
is all that we actually have. When we slow
down, we can assess the state of our bod-
ies and minds; not just how healthy or
unhealthy we are, but how we are often just
reacting to past traumas and unresolved
emotions.
When we practice any calming disci-
pline a few times a week, we become more
adept in our lives at being with both our-
selves and the world in a more honest, clear
and present way. As we turn off our outside
lives, even for a few minutes, we can take
a look at troubling issues directly, without
distraction or interference. As we dimin-
ish the chatter in our heads and can “be
here now,” these relaxation practices will
extend into our daily lives. Stress reduc-
tion supports us in making more satisfying
choices and having realistic outcomes.
Jim and Sandy Bay built Canyon
Mountain Center in John Day. Visit can-
yonmountaincenter.net for more informa-
tion about what is offered.