The Pause to Relax

11/17/2025

Are you embracing moments of intentional breathwork as you come into the holidays? Here is a quick and straightforward toolbox to help in the next few months:

Explore "Rest, Rhythm, and Relationships Of the Holidays, Into the New Year," by Linda Penkala, Author at Optimum Health For Life in Columbia, MD. Discover tips for a stress-free holiday season.

11/07/2025

Linda Penkala shared powerful tips on Fox 5 DC 's DMV Zone Program on Thursday, November 6th.

She talked with Anchor Marina Marraco about ways to help you avoid “Holiday Heart Syndrome” and keep your stress (and your heart!) in check this season.

As a former trailblazing Maryland jockey turned wellness advocate, Linda knows the toll stress can take — and how simple daily habits can protect your heart health through the holidays and beyond.

💻 We posted the full segment below for you to watch and enjoy.

📘To learn more or get your copy of her book The Pause to Relax: A Woman’s Guide to Robust Heart Health visit lindapenkala.com or on Amazon.

11/07/2025

✨ In case you missed it! ✨
Linda Penkala shared powerful tips on Fox 5's DMV Zone Show today to help you avoid “Holiday Heart Syndrome” and keep your stress (and your heart!) in check this season.

As a former trailblazing Maryland jockey turned wellness advocate, Linda knows the toll stress can take — and how simple daily habits can protect your heart health through the holidays and beyond.

💻 We'll post the link to the segment when it's available.
In the meantime, here's a really cute clip of Linda with Anchor Marina Marraco doing a breathing exercise to reduce stress.

📘 Learn more or get your copy of her book The Pause to Relax: A Woman’s Guide to Robust Heart Health at lindapenkala.com
or on Amazon.

11/05/2025

🚨 TV ALERT! 🚨
Linda Penkala, author of The Pause to Relax: A Woman’s Guide to Robust Heart Health, will be a guest on Fox 5 DC's the DMV ZONE tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 6 at 3PM) — just in time for International Stress Awareness Week!

She’ll be sharing 3 simple tips to help you avoid “Holiday Heart Syndrome” as we head into the busiest (and often most stressful) season of the year.

❤️ Your heart will thank you for tuning in.

📺 Watch live on Fox 5 DC or from anywhere at fox5dc.com/live

11/03/2025

💆‍♀️ It starts with one simple act of self-care.

For more than 22 years, Linda Penkala has kept one monthly appointment that helps her release stress, clear her mind, and protect her heart.

She’s not just a client — she’s a licensed massage therapist who knows the benefits from both sides of the table!

🎥 Watch this short video to see why this small, consistent act of self-care is so rewarding. It's very raw and authentic.

✨ This International Stress Awareness Week, focus on your stress — your heart will thank you for it. 💖

📘 For more heart-healthy stress relief tips, check out Linda’s book The Pause To Relax: A Woman’s Guide to Robust Heart Health at lindapenkala.com.

10/29/2025

We are heading into the most stressful time of the year-the holidays. Linda is sharing her 3 R's to help you not only survive the holidays, but enjoy them like never before. They are Rest, Relationships, and Rhythm. Pause for a moment and read this quick article she wrote for Your Health Magazine.

10/24/2025

We hope you got to watch Linda Penkala shine today on Wusa 9's Great Day Washington broadcast with Elaine Espinola. It was a terrific interview that covered everything from her jockey days to her Afib experience. Most importantly, Linda got to share her mission to educate women about the risk or cardiovascular disease and suggest healthy changes to thrive. Here is the link to the interview in its entirety. Enjoy! https://www.wusa9.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/womens-health-advocate-stresses-that-we-need-to-destress/65-208749f6-8ca8-4e58-a57f-3f9649458d40 Great job Linda!

10/22/2025

Linda was out golfing with girlfriends bright and early this morning. Everyone was dressed in Halloween costumes. The laughter was contagious and so good for the heart. In fact: gathering with girlfriends is #7 on what Linda calls the 9 pillars of heart health. As we head into the busy and stressful holiday season, take the time to grab some girlfriends and go have some fun. Your heart will thank you,

10/20/2025

Please mark your calendars right now and plan to watch Linda Penkala LIVE on WUSA 9's Great Day Washington program on Friday, October 24th at 3pm.

We included a clickable link on the flyer that will take you to the livestream so you can watch it from anywhere!

We're also adding it here https://www.wusa9.com/watch

Linda will be sharing her amazing story as a female horseracing jockey turned heart health advocate after an experience with Afib.

Truly life changing information that she also shares in her new book "The Pause To Relax: a Woman's Guide to Robust Heart Health".

10/14/2025

Within minutes of signing her new book at the luncheon for Heart: the Association of Retired Howard County Public School Employees, two of the members told author Linda Penkala about their heart attacks. One was 58 when she had her attack, and the other was 62. They are exactly why Linda wrote The Pause to Relax: a Woman's Guide to Robust Heart Health". She shared that message before a packed house today's event- reminding the group that cardiovascular disease is the number killer of women but you can prevent serious disease by the choices you make. Pausing to relax tops of the list of good choices.

10/09/2025

We want to thank everyone who came to the
Linda Penkala book signing and Wellness Open House last night. We were especially happy that several visitors purchased her The Pause to Relax : a Woman's Guide to Robust Heart Health book. Share this important information. It was also so nice to see so many of you who are interested in the wellness services Dr.Lisa Gordon provides at the Natural Health Improvement Center at 10700 Shsker Drive in Columbia, MD. That includes Linda's masssge therapy. Stop by for a tour. Cybele was a terrific tour guide. pause

10/06/2025

Don't forget about Linda's book signing on Wednesday, October 8th at 6: 15pm.

This is a great chance to meet the author of "The Pause to Relax: A Woman's Guide to Robust Heart Health" and get a signed copy of her lifechanging book.

There will also be fun activities at snacks at the Open House. Check the flyer for more details and we'll see you there.