Catholic Mom Book Club selection Meditation in Motion by Barbara Bartocci

April 2004

Meditation in Motion: Exercise Your Body and Your Soul - At Same Time
by Barbara Bartocci
Ave Maria Press, March 2004
Paperback, 190 pages

About the Book

Both physical fitness and spiritual development are popular topics today. This book puts the two together with 48 stories about real people who discovered, often by chance, a connection between their physical activity and their spiritual awareness. The stories are about ordinary people of all ages, from all walks of life, and with all levels of physical fitness and ability. The stories will inspire and motivate readers to be attentive to the spiritual dimension of their own physical activities. In a special “how-to” section, Bartocci helps readers develop their own fitness path with a quiz to help identify personal attitudes. She also provides a list of twenty ways to help readers fit physical and spiritual fitness into their lives.

A Note to Our Readers from Author Barbara Bartocci

Dear Catholic Moms,

I'm so happy you are featuring my newest book, Meditation in Motion: Exercise Your Body and Your Soul - At Same Time. Many of you, if you have young kids at home, probably say, as my own daughter does, "I never have enough time." Sometimes what we give up when we're time-crunched are the moments needed to play and to pray. Meditation in Motion will direct you in ways you haven't thought about before to reclaim precious moments to connect with God and your deepest self.

The idea for my book came while I was riding my bicycle early one summer morning. The sky was still laced with tints of sunrise and I was very aware of birds twittering, the brush of a light breeze along my arms, and the feel of my tires against asphalt. Without planning to, I fell into the repetitive prayer many of us learned in childhood: "Jesus, have mercy. Christ, have mercy." My turning wheels were acting like prayer beads! Out of that experience a book was born.

In my book, you'll share 48 inspiring stories of discovery about people who found, sometimes by chance, a connection between their physical activity and a deeper spiritual awareness. People of all ages, from all walks of life, and with all levels of physical fitness and ability.

You'll also read my personal Coach's Reflection at the end of each story, which gives you something to reflect upon even if you never take up that particular activity. (Though I love the story about the sky-diver, I have to admit I don't plan to sky dive any time soon!)

In Section Two, you'll find 21 specific "how-to's" that show you how to directly you're your physical and spiritual fitness, along with a "Know Yourself Better" Quiz. The stories themselves are grouped in these six sections:

CENTERING YOURSELF
OVERCOMING FEAR
FINDING HEALING
EXPANDING YOUR BOUNDARIES
LIVING IN THE MOMENT
REACHING YOUR PEAK

As a Catholic mom, you are at your peak right now, raising children who will know and live their faith. But it's important for busy moms not to neglect themselves. I believe you'll find personal inspiration in my book that will help you be more physically and more spiritually fit. Not only that, people tell me it's a darn good read!

This is my sixth book, and I also write for many major magazines. (You'll read my byline in Family Circle in June and in Woman's Day in July). For information about my other books and about my speaking, visit my website: www.BarbaraBartocci.com. You can also read samples from each of my books.

Barbara Bartocci

Visit Barbara Bartocci's Web Site
Visit the Ave Maria Press Web Site
Additional Titles by Barbara Bartocci include From Hurting to Happy: Transforming Your Life After Loss and Nobody's Child Anymore: Grieving, Caring and Comforting When Parents Die