The Five Elements of Aliveness with Fernanda González-Vilchis

What this episode covers

In this episode of The Sacred Garden Mandala, Dr. Gretchen Blycker welcomes Fernanda González-Vilchis, Director of SRI en Español (Sowa Rigpa Institute en Español), Nejang Yoga Instructor, Sowa Rigpa practitioner, editor, translator, and educator. Together they explore the wisdom of Sowa Rigpa, the traditional Tibetan science of healing, and the practice of Nejang Yoga—a profound system that integrates body, energy, breath, visualization, and awareness to restore balance and reconnect us with our innate wellbeing. Fernanda begins by guiding listeners through a beautiful meditation featuring the Five Dakinis, the Five Elements, and the luminous mandala of the heart. From there, she and Dr. Blycker explore how earth, water, fire, wind, and space shape our physical, emotional, and mental experiences, offering practical ways to recognize imbalance and return to our natural state of harmony. Whether you're navigating grief, stress, anger, overwhelm, or simply longing for a deeper relationship with your body, this conversation offers compassionate wisdom and accessible practices for cultivating resilience, presence, and embodied healing. In this episode, you'll learn: The foundations of Sowa Rigpa, the Tibetan science of healing What Nejang Yoga is and how it differs from other yoga traditions How the Five Elements influence physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing The role of the Five Dakinis and their enlightened activities Why balance—not perfection—is the goal of healing How visualization, breath, movement, and self-massage help restore harmony The importance of cultivating your body as a safe space for healing Practical ways to work with stress, grief, anger, and emotional overwhelm through the wisdom of the elements About Fernanda González-Vilchis Fernanda González-Vilchis is Director of SRI en Español (Sowa Rigpa Institute en Español), a Nejang Yoga Instructor, Sowa Rigpa practitioner, professional editor, translator, and educator. Formerly Head of Editorial for National Geographic Latin America, she has spent decades bridging cultures through publishing, translation, and education. She teaches Nejang Yoga internationally and at Casa Tibet México, helping make the wisdom of Tibetan healing traditions accessible to Spanish-speaking communities throughout Latin America, Spain, and beyond. Resources MentionedHälsosam Therapy – Dr. Gretchen Blycker's companion resources, including the Personal Sacred Mandala Garden for Sexual Wellbeing guided practice. CONNECT WITH US AND LEARN MORE: MEET DR. GRETCHEN BLYCKER MINDFULNESS-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPY AWAKENING APHRODITE AND ADONIS: THE ART, SCIENCE, AND SOUL OF LOVE, SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS FIND MORE RESOURCES HERE CONTACT DR. GRETCHEN BLYCKER FOLLOW DR. GRETCHEN BLYCKER ON INSTAGRAM MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM: DEE DANIELS MEDIA FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Welcome to Sacred Garden 01:22 Meet Fernanda González-Vilchis 03:16 Fernanda’s Multicultural Path 08:09 Mentorship and Mandala Roots 10:03 Guided Garden Visualization 22:55 Five Elements Explained 29:20 Balancing Elements in Daily Life 33:14 Stressful Wind Metaphor 35:03 Grief Through Elements 37:38 Introducing Space Element 39:45 Nejang Purification Practice 42:11 Embodiment Through Touch 47:29 Sense Organs And Organs 50:44 Body As Safe Space 52:53 Guided Resource And Closing

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