Embodied Practices With Marlo

There is a collective sense of grieving at the moment. With the COVID-19 virus impacting so many communities world-wide, most of us are not only grieving our sense of normalcy and everyday routines but we are also grieving our jobs, family and friends we have lost due to the virus. We may also be grieving physical touch, a stable income and special life events we can't attend to due to physical distancing.  Right now, at this very moment, there is a sense of loss and uncertainty that is looming in the air.  Like many of you, I am impacted by this pandemic. I've recently experienced a temporary layoff like so many people world-wide.  At times, I've felt scared and overwhelmed by the rapid changes this virus has brought on in my life. I know I'm not alone and in some way, I'm comforted by the fact that we are all in this together.  For my own personal practice, I've been making a genuine effort to lower my own stress. I'm making a point to embody a sen...

Being with our thoughts can be incredibly challenging. There is this misconception with the general public that when you meditate, you shouldn't have thoughts during practice but that isn't true. Our minds are meant to think and we simply can't turn off our thoughts. If anything, when we try, we experience resistance and it can actually make the practice even more challenging and stressful. I'm a firm believe that how we relate to our thoughts is a kinder, more compassionate gesture compared to forcing ourselves to stop thinking altogether. This audio recording is a wonderful way of attending to our thoughts in a mindful, kindly way. It is a short practice but I think one you will find useful. Things to think about before and after your practice: Were you able to notice the thoughts in spacious awareness? If not, what did you notice? Did you notice resistance, annoyance, doubt? If so, it's OK. Recognizing the thoughts is part of mindfulness practice. I...

We can use any of our sense perceptions when engaging in a mindfulness meditation practice.  I created this Sound Awareness Meditation recording because sometimes it is really hard to connect to our breaths in a mindfulness practice. I know what that feels like. Sometimes doubt festers in my own mind and I find myself asking the question, "Am I purposely changing my breath?" For others, a breath practice may not be conducive due to respiratory issues, health issues or some may just find the breath claustrophobic due to past or recent trauma. Sound Awareness Meditation Suggestions to better guide you when doing the Sound Awareness practice Listen to the sounds without labeling them or needing to identify with them. If you find yourself identifying or creating a compelling story, kindly take note of it and come back to listening. Notice how the sounds and pitch feel in your body. Sometimes a good question to ask to get you back in your body is, ...

I created this short and simple audio recording a few months back when I was in Sean Fargo's teacher training program.  This meditation practice is called the Spacious Body Scan and it is a short and wonderful practice for those who need to get connected with their bodies and release tension and stress.    Spacious Body Scan Meditation (8 minutes)    I highly encourage you to do the Spacious Body Scan practice over the course of the week and if possible to carry out the practice on the same times each day.  Consistency is key to practice and the more you do this particular meditation, the more you will benefit from it.   Some Recommendations + Suggestions Before You Begin Find a comfortable and warm room where you won't be disturbed.   Get a pillow and blanket so that your head is supported and that you stay warm during the meditation.   If you need extra support for your back, lie down on a yoga mat or roll a pill...