Episode 3: Mindfulness With Natalie Phung
Natalie Phung is a colourful soul with intense wanderlust, curiosity, and openness to the world. Time spent with her is guaranteed to be interesting. We tap into Nat’s knowledge as a psychotherapist to learn about mindfulness from a different angle. Mindfulness has its roots in Buddhist religion but it can be practiced by anybody as its benefits are available to everybody. In fact, Nat teaches mindfulness as a tool to her clients. In our conversation, she breaks down the concept to help us better understand this tool and also teaches us ways to incorporate it into our everyday lives. This is an interesting perspective as we begin to connect the gap between the western and eastern side of healing.
Key Nuggets:
- There is no “end point” in mindfulness, it’s about the practice itself
- Being mindful doesn’t just mean tuning into the positive feelings, sometimes it can mean that you become aware of pain as well. And that’s not a bad thing. If you are aware of where the pain is, then you are more likely able to find a strategy to resolve it.
One of her biggest lessons so far: Always care for yourself and practice self-love. Life becomes infinitely easier when we focus inwards before we focus outwards.
Links: If you have questions about mindfulness for Natalie, you can email her at nataliephung@gmail.com
Episode 2: A Healing Journey with Alison DuRussel
Alison DuRussel is one of the most grounded people that I know. She’s incredible at holding space for others and making them feel comforted and cared for. Knowing this, it won’t be much of a surprise when I tell you that she is well versed in the healing arts – massage therapist, yoga teacher, and reiki master are a few examples of the different healing hats she’s worn along the way. But her journey towards healing actually started off in the academic world. Her first job was a pharm tech, working only in the realm of western medicine. It was through that role that she realized the tragic reality of how dependent on drugs we can become. She sought out a gentler way of healing, hopefully one without adverse side effects and so began her journey. In our conversation, we follow her through the different modalities of healing, making pit stops to learn about each one. Near the end, Alison treats us to a couple minutes of music with her crystal singing bowls so that we can experience the power of sound healing.
One of her biggest lessons so far: Don’t be so hard on yourself. Be kind to yourself on this journey, things will figure themselves out. When you stress and shift energy away from joy, that’s when struggle and anxiety comes in. Things can always be better than where they are.
Links:
If you have any questions for Alison or want to learn more, connect with her through:
Facebook: Alison DuRussel
Instagram: @alidurussel
Episode 1: When the Universe Gives You A Sign, Take It! With Brittany Zeer
Brittany Zeer is a charming, down to earth yoga teacher based in Calgary, Alberta. Although she’s been teaching for a few years already, it wasn’t until she experienced a recent chain of events that’s helped her recognize that teaching is in fact her calling, with more purpose than she imagined. We discuss her incredible journey with yoga and in becoming a yoga teacher. We even end up delving a bit into what yoga teacher training is really like. Throughout the conversation, Brittany opens up about a chronic health issue she struggles with and how, with the new revelations, she’s been able to use it to her advantage. The crux of this story is about keeping ourselves open and listening to the signs that are here to guide us.
One of her biggest lessons so far: Follow your bliss. You’re allowed to have more than one, and it’s allowed to change.
Links and Resources:
To keep connected with Brittany, Email: Brittany.zeer@gmail.com Facebook: Brittany Zeer
