Show Up and Meditate

Show Up to Go Up

Ep 25 Show Up and Meditate

 

5/31/20 is World Meditation Day! How are you celebrating? To celebrate I spoke with my dear friend, Athena McDowell, who is an actress, and yoga/meditation teacher. Meditation is so important to your mental health and overall wellbeing. I hope you enjoy this episode! For more information you can follow me on IG at @stephygthatsme or @showuptogoup or at www.showuptogoup.com

Find Athena on IG at @athenadoesyoga. Here is a breakdown of our conversation...

:41 Intro

Athena is one of my dear friends. She is an actress, a yoga instructor, and meditation expert. She’s also one of the kindest, funniest, and most open people I know. I have talked about meditation in a couple episodes but I wanted to go deeper and so that’s why I asked Athena to come on the show. I know you’ll love her just as much as I do.

1:40 We talk about my 30 day challenge with meditation and gratitude and all the realizations that came during that time. I’d encourage everyone to consistently practice meditation and gratitude. You can learn so much about yourself with the power of meditation

 

 

3:40 Would you mind sharing a little more about your meditation journey and how you got to where you are now in your life?

She’s a meditation and yoga teacher who helps people build custom practices that work with their life. She found yoga in high school at a 24 hour fitness. Originally she thought it was silly but she was curious so she decided to take a class. For the next 11 years she took classes off and on and one year ago today she graduated with her yoga and meditation certification. She got into meditation from an old boss who held group meditations. The more she practiced the more she would have feelings and sensations in her body. She liked the way it felt so she knew she wanted to continue. One day while meditating she heard her inner voice tell her yoga. She didn’t think much about it but then she had two losses in her life which pushed her deeper into meditation and she realized that voice was telling her to get her yoga teacher training certification.

 

7:50 When you are meditating and you hear that voice - how do you know when it’s your inner voice verse your mind talking to you?

Meditation is letting go of your thoughts. Observing them and letting them pass. When you silent your mind enough and practice enough you will hear that tiny voice. It doesn’t happen every time.

 

9:10 What does it mean to get into alignment? What does that look like?

Alignment is being in touch with your true self and in tune with yourself. If you’re feeling sad or alone it’s a signal that you are longing for connection and you want to journey within yourself. Alignment is living happiness and joy and living your true, best life.

 

9:45 I’m reading Ask and It is Given by Abraham Hicks and it talks about your emotions being your greatest indicator of if you are in alignment. If you are feeling upset or resistant there is something to that so how can you focus your mind on happier thoughts that are true to you and make you feel good. Abraham Hicks also talks about reaching for the better feeling thought and focusing on being happy.

 

12:30 Do you find it hard to balance between people pleasing and feeling like you’re not helping enough? 

She is better able to help others once she has helped and poured into herself first. Worrying about people doesn’t help anything other than exhaust you.

 

13:40 Can you share about your loving/kindness meditation practice?

When someone pops up into her head while she’s meditating - even if it’s someone she’s angry with - she will send them love and light and then let it go so she can get back to her practice. Sometimes she specifically focuses on sending love to people.

 

15:05 What advice do you have for someone who is just starting out with meditation?

She would say to take it slow and explore. The journey within is one of the most beautiful, exciting things that you will do. Stay consistent and keep showing up even if it’s only 5 minutes a day. Start slow and build your practice and know that it’s going to change as you go. You will feel clarity, vitality, and calmness by starting a meditation practice. There is no right or wrong way to meditate. When you cry it is a release so it’s a good thing. You’re moving that tension through your body and healing. You can spiral up in a positive direction the same way people spiral down in a negative direction. Focus on changing your thoughts to change your state.

 

17:55 What is your favorite quote that you love or love to live by?

Joseph Campbell - “Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows but we can choose to live in joy.” 

 

18:25 What’s next for you and where can people find you?

She is working one on one with clients to help them create a custom meditation or yoga practice. If you don’t know much about either but have a calling or interest she will consult with you and build a practice tailored to you and your needs. You can follow her on IG @athenadoesyoga.