∞ WHY Meditate? ∞
"Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul." ~Marcus Aurelius
Finding inner peace
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Meditation is an age old practice that has been around for thousands of years. The word meditation comes from the latin root mederi which mean "to heal". We are living in a culture that has lost it's connection to the intelligence of our bodies, hearts and intuitive guidance systems. We are bombarded with external stimulation leaving us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and disconnected from our true selves, center and power within.
So WHAT can we do?
It is important for us to create a safe and healing space to remember how to BE without any doing involved. We are human BEINGS not human DOINGS . When we take the time to breathe and cultivate stillness within, we allow our bodies to turn on the relaxation response and tune into present moment awareness. When we become present, we allow ourselves to drop the stories of past and future that can cloud our vision. As Lao Tzu said,
“If you are depressed you are living in the past.
If you are anxious you are living in the future.
If you are at peace you are living in the present."∞ MEDITATION & THE BRAIN ∞
Scientists used to think the brain reached its peak in adulthood and then started to decrease in function later in life. Now the term neuroplasticity has been coined and exciting new research is showing that the brain is constantly changing and growing with every new experience that we have. It is up to us what kind of shape our brain is in.
So WHAT does this have to do with meditation?
Recent studies at UCLA School of Medicine are showing "that daily meditators had more gray matter in regions of the brain that are important for attention, emotion regulation, and mental flexibility. Increased gray matter typically makes an area of the brain more efficient or powerful at processing information. Luders (Researcher in the Department of Neurology ) believes that the increased gray matter in the meditators’ brains should make them better at controlling their attention, managing their emotions, and making mindful choices" (McGonical, Kelly. "Learn: This is Your Brain On Meditation").
PHYSICAL BENEFITS of meditation
- Lowers high blood pressure
- Lowers the levels of blood lactate, reducing anxiety attacks
- Decreases tension-related pain, such as, tension headaches, ulcers, insomnia, muscle and joint problems
- Increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior
- Improves the immune system
- Increases the energy level, as you gain an inner source of energy
MENTAL BENEFITS of Meditation
- Anxiety decreases
- Emotional stability improves
- Creativity increases
- Happiness increases
- Intuition develops
- Gain clarity and peace of mind
- Problems become smaller
- Meditation sharpens the mind by increasing focus and expands through relaxation
- A sharp mind without expansion causes tension, anger and frustration
- An expanded consciousness without sharpness can lead to lack of action/progress
- The balance of a sharp mind and an expanded consciousness brings perfection*
*Source: Art of Living. "Benefits of Meditation"
Katherine majored in psychology and anthropology at the University of Vermont. She also did graduate training in mental health counseling and is certified by the McLean Meditation Institute (AZ) and Yoga Body. She recently became a certified Brain Longevity Therapist through the Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation. Her passions are teaching meditation, breathwork and energy techniques to calm the body & grow new neurons in the brain. She loves to explore the healing vibrations of sound and motivate and inspire others to be the best that they can be.
∞ Meditation, Life Coaching & Energy Work ∞
ALIGN ∞ CENTER ∞ EMPOWER
Find your center and cultivate it every day. Form a deep relationship with yourself and set a new intention for a better life.
Meditation, Stress Relief &
Life Coaching
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Katherine is a meditation teacher and life coach who is interested in helping her clients become more grounded and centered within themselves through breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques. Once this foundation is established within, the benefits are endless. Switching from victim mode to empowerment mode causes a monumental shift in our lives. We begin to change and transform into a higher vision of ourselves as we become aware of the fears and perceived limitations we need to rewire and release. This type of work allows us to believe in something greater as we uncover our potential and tap into our deep reserves of power, peace and love within ourselves.
∞ Life Coaching ∞
~ Feel a deeper connection to your true self
~ Establish a meditation practice that works for you
~ Feel greater joy / love / compassion for yourself as you practice living more in the Present moment and less in the Past and Future
~ Be less reactive and more responsive
~ Get clear about what you want and align yourself with your inner power
~ Tap into your intuition & release fear
~ Feel more Empowered and less of a victim so you can make the changes you need to live a more authentic life that is true to you
~Learn how to heal difficult relationships
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." ~ Einstein
"A miracle is a shift in perception from fear to love—from a belief in what is not real, to faith in that which is. That shift in perception changes everything.” ~ A Course in Miracles
Katherine uses intuitive coaching methods to understand her client's current life situation and helps them to gain clarity and have a broader perspective about what they want and need in their lives. She incorporates specific relaxing background music, the deep and resonant sounds of the Native American frame drum as well as the expansive and healing vibrations from her crystal bowl to deepen her clients experience of reconnection.
Dissolve your FEAR ~ False Evidence Appearing Real
Reconnect to the most powerful vibration of all, Love.
SERVICES
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15 minute FREE clarity call to see if my coaching / healing methods are a good fit for you.
∞ 30 minutes / 45 minutes Minute Clarity Session
What do you need in your life right now? Spend some time with Katherine gaining clarity about your current situation.
∞ 45 minute / 1 hour Meditation Session
Brand new to meditation? This is a perfect way for you to get familiar with some of the basic techniques, vocabulary and practices to get you well on your way to having a daily practice for yourself that aligns with your needs.
∞ 45 minute / 1 hour Brain & Memory Activation Session, Learn technqiues to help keep your brain alive and active while enhancing your memory!
∞ 1 hour Coaching with combo of Meditation, Centering & Breathing exercises along with Life Coaching & Reiki
(Now on Zoom or in person)
30, 45 minutes of Reiki (energy work)
Feeling blocked? Want to connect more to your
true self / soul?
Receive a clearing and energy activation to reconnect to your passion, purpose and heart.
"The ego seeks to divide and separate. Spirit helps to unify & heal." ~ Pema Chodron
For questions or to book a session with Katherine, send her an email at beginwithin88@gmail.com.
∞ Live & Online Classes on Zoom
Schedule for Spring 2025
If you would like more information about Katherine's private meditation group, feel free to message her.
OLLI @ Eckerd College
Don't Just Do Something, Sit There (Mondays 3/3-3/24)
A Journey to Compassion (Mondays 4/7-4/28)
Spring 2025 courses coming up at OLLI UMass Boston (on Zoom)
Winter Presentation - Cognitive Upgrade (newest research about the brain) January 15th (1-3:30)
Winter Presentation -
Dealing with Anxiety - February 20th (10-11:30)
Cognitive Upgrade (3/18-4/15)
Finding the Light in a Dark World (4/22-5/13)
Meditation 101 (4/24-5/22)
OLLI @ Colorado State (on Zoom)
The Longevity Path (January - February 2025)
Guided Meditation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6wVXTAIQHc&feature=youtu.be
~•• a picture is worth 1,000 words ••~
∞ Inspiration ∞
"The thing about meditation is: You become more and more You." ~ David Lynch
"Why are you knocking at every other door? Go, knock at the door of your own heart." ~ Rumi
"You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes a day, unless you're too busy, then you should sit for an hour." ~ Old Zen saying
Treat yourself with the highest level of respect
Adorn yourself like the goddess / god that you are
you are royalty, you are worthy
Even if nobody is looking, your higher self is
Even if nobody is treating you with respect
YOU are....
You are the most important person
to set the standard
for how amazing, worthy and deserving you truly are
then you radiate this energy, this vibration outwards
and the whole world feels it
and gives you back the respect that you demand within yourself ...
never settle for anything less
It all starts within. ~ K
