a healing guide

A few weeks ago, while walking the Camino de Santiago, I found myself cringing- at the hikers, the greetings, my hiking poles. But as I reflected, I realised it wasn’t about anyone else; it was about me. This episode dives into the feeling of cringe: why it holds such power over us, how it quietly shapes our self-expression, and how we can move through it with curiosity and compassion. Drawing on The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (the best book I have ever read!), I explore how self-judgment keeps us small, and how leaning into cringe might actually be the most liberating thing we can do.An exploration into why “being cool” often means being disconnected and how embracing our own awkwardness can bring us closer to who we really are.You can find Leora at: IG:@a.healing.guide.pod ; @leorabfResources:Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four AgreementsTimestamps:00:41 Reflecting on the Camino de Santiago02:23 Understanding Cringe04:58 The Four Agreements: A Path to Self-Liberation09:46 Embracing Cringe and Personal Growth11:58  Final Thoughts and Inspirations

In this episode of 'a healing guide', I dive into the power of walking as a practice for healing, clarity, and transformation. Having just completing 16 days on the Portuguese route of Camino de Santiago, I share my insights from the pilgrimage and why walking has been one of the most impactful tools on my healing journey.I share my thoughts on:Walking as more than exercise but meditation, prayer, and therapy in motionThe healing power of the Camino de Santiago and its rich history as a pilgrimageHow carrying a backpack reveals the “baggage” we hold in life and how to let it goThe stages of transformation that unfold during consecutive days of walkingThe role of nature, community, and rhythm in creating breakthroughsWhether you’re curious about the Camino, drawn to pilgrimage, or simply looking for ways to improve your mental health, this episode is an invitation to step into the the incredible capacity for peace and wellbeing from the simple act of walking.You can find Leora at: IG:@a.healing.guide.podResources:Thich Naht Hanh Poem on Mindful Walking Camino resourceshttps://caminoways.com/camino-de-santiagohttps://stingynomads.com/Facebook groups are amazing- look for the groups for the route you chooseTime stamps00:56 The Healing Power of Walking02:34 Historical and Cultural Significance of The Camino04:09 Personal Journey on The Camino10:58 Why I think The Camino Leads to Healing & Transformation18:32 Final Reflections and Encouragement19:28 Closing Poem by Tich Nat Hanh

You can find Leora at: IG:@a.healing.guide.podI am about to embark on a range of journeys and adventures- types of 'pilgrimages' and will be sharing my experiences, learnings and challenges in real time. In episode, I explore the idea of pilgrimage and I share why I’m beginning a series of pilgrimages across the world — from the Camino de Santiago in Spain and Portugal, to the Kumano Kodo in Japan, to sacred mountains in India, and my ancestral villages in Lithuania.I reflect on The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a profound and metaphorical story of a young man who goes on a quest to find treasure- to discover the treasure was within all along.Interestingly Paulo Coelho wrote this book based on his own experiences walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage across SpainA quote to carry with you: "When the road ends and the goal is gained, the pilgrim finds that he has traveled only from himself to himself. But the God that led him unto it was all the while in him, around him, with him, beside him" – Sri Sathya Sai Baba00:00 Recording in Beautiful Places00:26 What is a Pilgrimage?01:02 Upcoming Adventures and Pilgrimages03:05 The Story of The Alchemist05:31 Lessons from The Alchemist06:38 Personal Reflections on Pilgrimage08:03 Life as a Pilgrimage09:11 Personal Legends and Dreams10:33 Invitation to Join the Journey

Inspired by a Tibetan Buddhist quote and a river in Portugal, this episode explores how surrendering to life’s flow can bring more peace, trust, and joy, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.You can find Leora at: IG:@a.healing.guide.pod"The bad news is, you’re falling without anything to hold onto. The good news is, there’s no ground to fall on." - Chögyam Trungpa The above quote has been guiding me lately and I share a story from my time living in Portugal, floating down tidal rivers and learning what it really means to surrender. Just like the river carries us effortlessly when we stop resisting, life has its own intelligence that guides us, if only we can let go of control.Together, we explore:Why letting go can feel so terrifying and so freeingHow to build trust in the unknown when you can’t control outcomesThe wisdom of flow, whether in career, love, or creativitySeeing rejection as redirection, not failureWhat rivers (and life) can teach us about surrender, resilience, and trustThis episode is a gentle reminder (for me as much as you) that we don’t have to figure it all out , we only need to take the next step, let go a little more, and trust that life is carrying us exactly where we need to go.Timestamps00:00 Introduction00:48 Exploring the Concept of Letting Go 02:53 Portugal and its Rivers03:51 The River as a Metaphor for Life06:12 Trusting the Flow of Life10:07 Applying Trust in Different Areas of Life11:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of 'A Healing Guide,' I sit down with the wonderful Galit Criden, a choreographer, somatic practitioner, community builder to explore the bodies most ancient medicine: movement.We dive into Galit’s journey with dance and her transformative RESET classes, where movement becomes a way to process emotions, release old stories, and rediscover joy. Galit shares how dance can be a daily practice of meeting yourself exactly as you are- whether you’re moving through grief, rage, joy, or feeling disconnected or lost.We talk about what we’ve collectively forgotten about movement, how to reconnect with our bodies, and why creativity, community, and play are essential for healing and motherhood.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What we’ve forgotten about the natural language of movementHow Galit’s RESET classes use dance to process life in real-timeWhy letting go doesn’t mean losing yourselfThe role of touch in reconnecting with yourself and othersHow to foster creativity in yourself and in childrenWhy community and shared movement can amplify healingWhether you’re a dancer or someone who swears they “can’t dance,” this episode invites you to reclaim your body, liberate your emotions, and remember the joy and freedom that comes from moving without self-judgment.You can find Galit at:IG: @Galit.CridenHer RESET classes:IG:@reset_danceYou can find Leora at: IG:@a.healing.guide.podRecommended resources:RESET Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3C06fTE4o3Xvw8p8zzZbHm?si=lhmmKK2FRkOJ07McQrXrCw&nd=1&dlsi=7386a1472a2147b1Connection between dancing and healing https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/transformative-rx-burnout-grief-and-illness-dance-2024a1000hqj?form=fpfMatriachal principles: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2xdVFqIsD6/Books involving Matriarchal PrinciplesThe Thirteen Clan Mothers: Jamie SamsBraiding Sweetgrass: Robin Wall KimmererServiceberries: Robin Wall KimmererTimestamps:00:17 Defining Somatic Movement01:12 Meet Galit Criden02:34 What we Have Forgotten about Dance and Movement03:54 The Healing Power of Dance06:54 Inside a Reset Class15:00 How To Letting Go Without Losing Yourself20:30 Daily Practices for Presence 25:08 Nurturing Creativity and Boldness27:34 Integrating Creativity into Motherhood33:39 The Power of Stillness and Closing Thoughts

What if our most difficult moments weren’t meant to be solved? But stayed with, listened to and honoured as important wisdom for the trajectory of our lives.In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend and clinical psychologist Tarryn Ellison for a thoughtful exploration into how we meet discomfort and confusion in our lives and how a different lens and the support of another, can change everything.Tarryn shares her unique approach to depth therapy, dreamwork, and healing, inviting us to reimagine what it means to move through life’s harder chapters. From her own journey into becoming a therapist to the sacred role of dreams in guiding us back to our inner landscape, this conversation is a reframing in how we can hold ourselves and each other.Topics covered:The difference between traditional and depth therapyHow to know you’ve found the right therapistThe importance of having someone by your side in your healing journeySupporting others without trying to rescue themThe power of dreamwork as a bridge to your inner landscapePractical tools for working with your dreamsThis episode is for anyone navigating the unknown, standing beside a loved one in pain, or looking for a gentler way to meet hard places within.You can find Tarryn at:W: https://www.tarrynellison.com/You can find Leora at: IG:@a_healing_guide_podRecommended resources:Tokopa Turner- Belonging remembering ourselves homeDream Wise: Unlocking the meaning of your dreams - Lisa Marchiano and Deborah StewartLet your body interpret your dreams- Eugene T GendlinDreams, a portal to the source- Edward WhitmondTimestamps00:00 Introduction 01:37 Taryn's Approach to Therapy04:45 Depth Therapy vs. Conventional Psychology07:40 Finding the Right Therapist10:49 The Role of Disturbance in Therapy14:14 The Importance of Connection in Healing18:48 How to help those navigating difficult times21:54 Introduction to Dream Work23:30 Understanding the Symbolism of Dreams25:50 Practical Dream Work Techniques30:12 Personal and Archetypal Symbols37:35 Reconnecting with Your Inner World38:27 Getting Started with Dream Work41:32 Final Thoughts and Resources

Please tune in for a nourishing guided meditation to go inwards and connect with your essence.Find a comfy seat, settle in and enjoy!You can find Eugenia Yallamas at:W:https://www.earthmedicina.com/IG:Earthmedicina_ginaYou can find Leora at: IG: A healing guide pod

In this episode of 'a Healing Guide' , I speak with Eugenia Yallamas, an incredible energy medicine practitioner, acupuncturist, holistic wellness coach and healer.Eugenia explains the ancient wisdom behind Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, reconnecting us to the natural rhythms within and around us and harmonising our system to its original state of wellbeing and balance. We also discuss plant medicine and the importance of preparation and integration in the healing process. We discuss how to shift out of limiting stories and beliefs that can be created in the aftermath of trauma, loss, separation. Eugenia shares her journey to becoming a healer and her spiritual awakening.This episode is followed by a guided meditation led by Eugenia, so please tune in to the next episode if you would like to go within.You can find Eugenia Yallamas at:W:https://www.earthmedicina.com/IG:earthmedicina_ginaYou can find Leora at: IG: A healing guide podResources recommended:The Body Keeps The Score- Bessel Van De KolkBraiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall KimmererAn Essay on Serviceberries - Robyn Wall Kimmerer (I cannot recommend this enough!!!!!!) The 13 Clan Mothers - Jamie SameThe Gene Keys- Richard RuddThe Art of Contemplation- Richard Rudd (amazing course)The Resilience ProjectWhisperings of the Dragon- Lujan MatusTopics:00:00 Introduction to Eugenia02:07 Understanding Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine11:00 The Rhythms of our Inner and Outer Worlds14:33 The Importance of Preparation & Integration in Plant Medicine22:55 Shifting out of Victim Mode27:38 Reflections and Relationships31:26 Eugenia's Personal Journey and Spiritual Awakening39:21: Context into Next Episodes Mediation40:00 Recommended Resources and Wrap-up

What if the key to healing isn’t found in doing more, but in slowing down and remembering the rhythms of the Earth?In this episode of a healing guide I sit down with Jo Rockendorfer, a Transpersonal Art Therapist, healer, wise woman, and keeper of myth and magic, for a powerful conversation on returning to our natural essence through the cycles of nature.Together we explore: ✨ The wisdom of the medicine wheel and what it can teach us about balance 🌿 How plant medicines like Ayahuasca can reconnect us to spirit the Earth 🎨 Art as a tool for self-inquiry, healing, and expression 🌕 Embracing our menstrual cycles as a source of power and guidance 📖 The magic of myth and story as maps for navigating life’s challengesJo shares her deep wisdom on how we can align with the Earth’s cycles, let go of control, and remember who we truly are. This episode is both grounding and expansive, offering practical tools and soulful reflections to support your own healing journey.The conversation is a beautiful exploration of how healing occurs when we slow down and reconnect to the earth, it’s cycles and medicine- and ultimately back to ourselves.I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed being a part of it.As always if you have any feedback please get in touch via my instagram.You can find Jo Rockendorfer at:W:https://www.cantadora.com.au/ You can find Leora at: IG: A healing guide podResources:Books:Women Who Run with Wolves- Clarissa Pinkola EstesSoulCollage- Seena B FrostUnder the Quandong Tree - Minmia Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall KimmererThe Secret Language of your Body - Inna SegalAncestral Medicine- Daniel FoorMedicine Wheel resources:Compass of the Heart Embodying Medicine Wheel Teachings - Loren Cruden Sandra Ingerman - shift network for her courses and she has many books on earth based practises including Medicine WheelThe Medicine wheel discussed in this episode comes from the School of Complementary Medicine, taught by Dr Rafael LockePeople:Jo’s Shamanic teacher Puma - Fredy Quispe Singona- Shiftnetwork and https://www.noqankani.com/about Gabrielle Roth, founder of 5 Rhythms DanceDr Margaret Rainbird: Labyrinth creatorJane Hardwick Collins - The school of Shamanic Womancraft  for more women’s work in particular the wisdom of the menstrual cycleTopics:00:00 Introduction to Jo01:28 Acknowledging the Ancestors of the land02:33 Healing the land06:09 Nature based practices and the Medicine Wheel10:40 Art as a Tool for Healing17:29 Understanding and connecting with our Menstrual Cycle23:30 The Influence of Moon Phases25:31 Connecting with plant medicines: Ayahuasca28:39 The 'purge' 31:53 Advice on working with Ayahuasca 39:26 The Power of Myths and Archetypes43:41 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Exploring the Power of Energy Healing with Teena AngeliaIn this episode I speak with Teena Angelia, an energy healer and clairvoyant. Teena shares insights into her practice, how it works, and the benefits. We discuss the importance of reclaiming our personal power and returning to our authentic selves. Teena shares tools and advice for clearing and working with your energy as well as connecting with angels, using crystals and how to deal with psychic attacks. We also discuss the importance of addressing physical health alongside energetic health.You can find Teena at:W: https://teenaangelia.com.au/You can find Leora at: IG:https://www.instagram.com/a.healing.guide.pod/ Recommended resources:Eckhart Tolle- A New Earth Gary Zukav: A Seat of The SoulThe Medical Medium: Cleanse to HealTop tipsClearing your energy field: Having a sense of your feet or any part of your body, connecting with the ground or surface supporting you. Center yourself into a state of I am the authority over my own being, and I choose right now to clear all energy on every level that is not in alignment with divine love and my soulVisualize or surround yourself with  beautiful, bright light, call in the light, visualize that the light is a space around you that is pushing back all of the things that have been trying to crowd in or trying to affect you. Topics:00:00 Introduction 01:28 Tina's Journey into Energy Healing02:12 Understanding Energy Healing04:52 Benefits of Energy Healing06:41 Typical Energy Healing Session10:39 The Importance of Self-Validation14:32 Healing from Trauma and Abuse19:26 Tools for Energy Clearing and Protection22:29 Connecting with Angels and Archangels24:50 Healing Power of Crystals31:28 Physical and Energetic Body Connection33:58 Detox and Cleanse for Healing36:46 Recommended Resources and Conclusion

Exploring Tarot, Intuition, Manifestation and Motherhood.In this episode I speak with Alex McNaught, an intuitive guide, medium, reiki therapist, and coach. Alex is an individual who uses her voice, words and beliefs to create and live in a space of love, trust and gratitude.  She is grounded, authentic and has a great sense of humour. We discuss Tarot card reading and how to benefit from and use this tool. Alex shares the importance of learning to trust oneself and listen to your intuition (+ exercises to practice this),  we discuss the power of voice and words- in creating our reality, protecting ourselves from negative energies, as well as manifesting love and blessings into our life, Alex also shares the profound journey of self acceptance and love through motherhood.You can find Alex at:IG:https://www.instagram.com/alex_mcnaught_coaching/ You can find Leora at: IG:https://www.instagram.com/a.healing.guide.pod/ Recommended resources:- Ekart Tolle: A New Earth- Louise Hay: You Can Heal Your Life-Oprah Soul Conversations- Gaia Shania: Soul 33, @soulthirtythree Topics00:00 Intro01:24 Alex McNaught's Healing Practices03:19 Demystifying Tarot10:22 When to Seek a Tarot Reading11:51 Tips for learning how to use Tarot cards15:16 Developing and Trusting Your Intuition20:36 Balancing Technology and Spirituality22:47 Dealing with Fear and Protecting against negative Energy28:48 Manifesting Desires and calling in love and partnership36:09 Navigating Motherhood and Self-Love38:08 Recommended Books and Practices40:41 Embracing the Messiness of Life

In this episode, I speak with Gabrielle Walker, a Māori healer based in Perth, to explore the indigenous healing modality of Romi Romi.Gabrielle explains the origins, benefits,  and cultural significance of Romi Romi. We discuss how Romi Romi helps release stored energies in the body, the importance of acknowledging both light and dark aspects of one’s healing journey, and the ancestral connections activated through this practice. Gabrielle also shares her personal healing path and offers advice to those struggling with mental health challenges. (Trigger warning- suicidal ideation is discussed)You can find Gabrielle at:W: wanderkind.com.auIG: @wanderkindenergyYou can find Leora at:IG: a healing guide podRecommended books/ authors:Ekart Tolle: The Power of Now; a New EarthMichael Singer: Untethered SoulJack Kornfield: After the ecstasy, the laundryMoojiHealing practices Gabrielle mentioned:Romi RomiMiri MiriKinesiologyVipassana meditationConscious danceThai massageTopics:00:00 Introduction00:53 Introducing Gabrielle Walker01:57 Understanding Romi Romi05:04 Benefits of Romi Romi09:25 Preparing for a Romi Romi Session11:27 Ancestral Healing and Romi Romi15:08 Cultural Sensitivities and Romi Romi20:23 Leora’s experience of Romi Romi26:17 Gabrielle's Healing Journey29:08 Advice for Those Struggling34:04 Tools and Practices for Healing36:11 Closing Thoughts

Welcome to a healing guideIf you'd like to get in touch:IG: a healing guide pod