Calm & Centered: Steady Yourself In Stressful Moments - by Ashley Chymiy

COURSE

Calm & Centered: Steady Yourself In Stressful Moments

With Ashley Chymiy

When life feels overwhelming—whether you’re navigating a family crisis, a major life transition, or tense moments with loved ones or colleagues—it’s easy to feel out of control. But no matter what’s happening around you, you have the power to ground yourself, steady your mind, and return to a place of calm. Over the next 10 days, you’ll discover science-backed techniques to regulate your emotions and anchor yourself in the present, helping you meet life’s most difficult moments with clarity and resilience. You’ll learn how to find calm even in high-stress situations, whether you’re facing uncertainty, difficult conversations, or external pressures pulling you in different directions. Through mindfulness-based techniques and somatic practices, you’ll soothe anxiety, quiet racing thoughts, and cultivate the ability to stay present—even when emotions run high. As you move through the course, you’ll develop a deep sense of inner strength and self-trust, allowing you to handle life’s uncertainties with confidence and grace. By the end of this journey, you’ll transform the way you respond to stress, and feel more calm, resilient, and deeply rooted in yourself—ready to navigate life’s storms while staying connected to who you truly are.


Meet your Teacher

Ashley Chymiy is a certified mindfulness and compassion meditation teacher living in beautiful Boulder, Colorado with her husband and three sweet fur babies. Ashley believes we all have the inner resources to lead ourselves and others with courage, kindness, and insight. But the way we respond in difficult moments shapes not only how we feel, but also the impact we have on the world around us. This course is an invitation to deepen your emotional resilience and recenter yourself amidst life’s complexities. Drawing on mindfulness, neuroscience, and contemplative practices, Ashley shares techniques for grounding your mind and body, fostering equanimity, and deepening your connection to the present moment. May the practices in this course help you tap into the steadiness and resilience within yourself, so you can show up in your life with grace and confidence. Ashley has an MA in Peace Studies and BA in Religious Studies and Philosophy, and is an ICF-certified (ACC) whole person coach, and the host of the Mind Made Up podcast. She supports mindful leaders around the world in owning their voice and authentic message with confidence.

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10 Days

251 students

4.9 stars

11 min / day

Healing

English


Lesson 1

Casting Your Anchor

In this session, we will begin by exploring the simplest, yet most powerful tool for grounding: the breath. Your breath is always with you, a steady companion that anchors you to the present moment. Through mindful breathing, we’ll practice calming the mind, easing tension in the body, and creating a sense of stability. You’ll learn how to observe your breath naturally, without judgment, and discover how even a few intentional breaths can help you reset during moments of stress or overwhelm. We’ll close with a guided meditation to connect you to the gentle rhythm of your breath, leaving you centered, calm, and ready to meet your day with clarity and ease.

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Lesson 2

Touching Aliveness

In this session, we’ll shift our focus to the body as a powerful anchor for presence. While the mind can often feel scattered, the body is always in the here and now. By bringing mindful attention to physical sensations, we’ll create a stronger sense of grounding and stability. You’ll practice tuning into your body’s natural aliveness—the gentle vibrations, warmth, or stillness that remind you you’re fully here. This session will also introduce a simple body scan meditation, helping you release tension and reconnect with the grounded support your body provides in every moment.

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Lesson 3

Sensing the Moment

In this session, we’ll explore how our senses can serve as powerful tools for grounding and presence. When the mind feels overwhelmed or scattered, we can return to the simplicity of sight and sound to reconnect with the world around us. By engaging your senses mindfully, you’ll discover how to anchor yourself in the present moment and quiet the noise of thoughts and emotions. We’ll practice observing the environment through sight and sound, learning how these sensory experiences can provide stability and calm, even in challenging moments.

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Lesson 4

Creating Space

In this session, we’ll focus on cultivating mental spaciousness. It’s easy to feel consumed by thoughts, stories, and emotions that can leave the mind feeling crowded and heavy. Today, you’ll practice observing your thoughts as they come and go, learning to create space between you and the mental chatter. Through guided visualization, we’ll explore the idea of thoughts as passing clouds or birds flying in and out of a meadow, helping you release attachment and reconnect with the open, peaceful space that is always within you.

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Lesson 5

Letting Life Be

In this session, we’ll explore the art of acceptance and making peace with change. Life is full of transitions, uncertainties, and moments that are beyond our control. By practicing acceptance, we can release resistance and open ourselves to the natural flow of life. Through guided meditation, you’ll practice observing the impermanence of each moment—just as every breath rises and falls, so too do life’s challenges and joys. This practice will help you cultivate greater inner freedom and a sense of calm, even in the face of uncertainty or loss.

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Lesson 6

Steadying the Mind

In this session, we’ll explore how to steady the mind and heart amidst life’s ups and downs. Equanimity is the practice of finding balance—a calm center that remains steady, even when faced with challenges or change. It’s not about being detached or indifferent but learning to respond with clarity and presence, rather than being swept away by reactivity. Through today’s guided meditation, you’ll practice observing emotions and thoughts without judgment, cultivating a sense of inner peace and resilience that can carry you through life’s inevitable highs and lows.

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Lesson 7

Opening the Heart

In this session, we’ll explore the transformative power of compassion—for ourselves and others. Life can challenge our emotional resilience, whether through self-criticism, difficult interactions, or unmet expectations. Cultivating compassion allows us to stay grounded and connected, even in the face of emotional triggers. Through today’s meditation, you’ll practice extending kindness to yourself and others, softening judgment, and opening your heart. This practice helps deepen connection and build resilience, enabling you to meet challenges with warmth and understanding.

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Lesson 8

Savoring the Good

In this session, we’ll focus on the practice of gratitude—cultivating a mindful awareness of life’s simple joys. When challenges arise, it’s easy to focus on what feels heavy or overwhelming, but gratitude helps us shift our perspective and find balance by appreciating what’s good, even in small ways. Through today’s meditation, you’ll learn how to savor positive moments and let them deeply nourish your mind and heart. This practice strengthens resilience and invites more lightness, joy, and connection into your life.

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Lesson 9

Grounding in Intention

In this session, we’ll explore the power of intention as a grounding practice. When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, setting a clear and heartfelt intention can provide a sense of direction and purpose. An intention isn’t about controlling the outcome; it’s about choosing how you wish to show up—with patience, kindness, strength, or another quality that resonates with you. Through today’s meditation, you’ll reflect on a personal challenge and identify an intention to guide your response. This practice helps anchor you, offering clarity and focus as you navigate life’s complexities.

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Lesson 10

Integrating Presence

In this final session, we’ll bring together all the practices you’ve explored throughout this course, weaving them into a seamless flow. From grounding in the breath and body to cultivating equanimity, gratitude, and compassion, today’s meditation will guide you through each stage of presence. This integrated practice serves as a foundation for living with more calm, clarity, and connection in your daily life. By returning to these tools, you can create a steady, centered presence no matter what life brings your way.

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4.9 (39)

Recent Reviews

Kelly

February 6, 2026

I loved . I will take again. Thank you!

Tony

December 17, 2025

Thank you Ashley I love all 10 meditation lessons, for both the wisdom and your delivery. So peaceful and calm 💫

Rochelle

June 26, 2025

This course was a GREAT learning experience for me. I’ve started to take deep breaths in and out; when I feel stressed. I’ve also stated to practice celebrating the wins and the loses; as you’ve said it’s LIFE.

Purti

April 21, 2025

So informative, grounded in theory, succinct and her voice is so soulful and genuine and relaxing.

Christina

January 9, 2025

This is a great course! I have a hard time with my temper and reaction time and I learned a lot of great tools from this course. “I know I am breathing in, I know I am breathing out” has become my mantra. Thank you!

Rita

January 7, 2025

This is a good course for those who are beginning to learn meditation.

Paulo

December 15, 2024

Thank you. Great course. I am repeating...

Graham

November 26, 2024

A wonderful series that I appreciated to come back to each day.

KatieG

November 26, 2024

while the practices were not all new to me, the material and meditations were presented in a beautiful calm way that left me grounded and centered. Practice IS the key, and listening to and participating in courses like this one gets me starting my day off right! Thank you 🙏🏼

Wendy

November 24, 2024

Really lovely course. Thank you!

Dana

November 24, 2024

I loved this course! Thank you.

Aviad

November 24, 2024

A helpful course given in a soothing manner.

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