Posts by Jo Bakal
Simmering Summer Soup
I know it might sound a little odd, but sipping tea and eating hot soup in the summer has always helped me feel more grounded—and even cooler. People often ask, “Aren’t you overheating just looking at that bowl?” But for me, warm foods help my body adjust more smoothly to the heat. I started wondering…
Read MoreChair Massage, Kevlar Vests, and Compassion at School
Today I had the honor of providing chair massages at a local elementary school as part of Teacher Appreciation Week. Our educators face mounting challenges every year, and it was deeply rewarding to offer a few moments of care and relief to those who give so much of themselves. One unexpected guest who took a…
Read MoreBittersweet April: Life, Loss, and the Spaces In Between
Today marks the 10th yahrzeit — the anniversary — of my twin sister Amy’s death. The date, Nissan 30, is poetic: it’s the last day of the month of Nissan and at the same time Rosh Chodesh — the first day of the new moon and the new month of Iyar. It perfectly captures the…
Read MoreDubai Chocolate Reimagined: A Healthier Twist
I love chocolate. It’s one of my favorite foods and should have its own food group. That’s why-even knowing I couldn’t eat them-I still signed up for a class on making Dubai Chocolate. Never heard of it? It’s one of the latest crazes on social media, and it started-no surprise-in Dubai. From what I could…
Read MoreSpring Reflections: Purpose, Gratitude, and New Beginnings
Spring is in full force, and I’ve been blessed this month to witness—and participate in—the beautiful unfolding of life. It feels like standing right on the cusp of new beginnings, and I’m filled with gratitude. One of the highlights this season is being an educator at a meaningful Passover Retreat at Pearlstone in Reisterstown, Maryland.…
Read MoreAnimal Communication—What Is It?
Is there really such a thing? I’m always a little bit back and forth on this, even though I have my rescue animals and we do our best to communicate. Do I fully understand them? I’m still trying to work that out. They certainly seem to have a better understanding of me. The interesting thing…
Read MoreSpectrum of Life
April 1 was when this day started, and now it is April 2.The day truly filled the spectrum of life. This is the anniversary of my mother’s death, and I miss her every day. But this anniversary is what punctuated the day. The way the day turned out was like an open and close parenthesis.…
Read MoreDiscover the Power of Your Breath
At my most recent breath and mindfulness mini-retreat, several participants shared a surprising realization: they really don’t breathe—or at least, not deeply or effectively. It got me thinking about how breathing, something we do every millisecond of our day, is often overlooked. Most of us breathe shallowly into our chests, a pattern associated with stress…
Read MoreThe Gift Of Reiki
In 2014 I became a Reiki Practitioner. I went to Vero beach for a two day course for Reiki 1 and Reiki 2. It was a tremendous experience which never would have happened without my twin sister Amy. Amy was the inspiration behind my becoming a Reiki Practitioner. She was living in Peru with cancer…
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