Release & Restore - Guided Meditations: Recent Episodes
Danielle D'Souza
Join me for a guided meditation practice infusing imagery, sound healing, affirmations and more.
Meditation has been shown to have a number of benefits including, but not limited to: reduced stress and anxiety, greater self awareness, and increased memory and productivity.
Connect with me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellebalsez Join my Facebook community for women looking to release stress and build self confidence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaforstressrelease
Featuring music by Chris Collins
This meditation is all about starting to crack open the barrier between the younger version of yourself and who you are today; acknowledging that both are equally important parts of you.Allow this practice to support you in opening your heart up to healing something from your past that you may have unknowingly been holding onto for far too long.
Join my FB community "The Calm Corner" for women looking to release stress and find more peace: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaforstressrelease
Get Your Free Stress Release Toolkit and sign up for my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/b5s5t6
Work with me 1:1: https://daniellebalsez.com/private-yoga
Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/daniellebalsez
Join me and special guest expert Incia Palmeri to dive into the magical world of kids yoga. In this episode we will talk about the importance of kids yoga, some of the ways that Incia has seen yoga transform children, what a kids yoga class looks like, and some of her favourite books and resources for sharing yoga and mindfulness with children.
This is definitely one of my favourite episodes on the podcast, so I highly encourage you to brew a warm (or cold) cup of tea and allow yourself to absorb all of the amazing information Incia has to share.
Key Topics Discussed:
- 0:40: Introducing Incia
- 2:10: Reflecting on Kids Yoga Teacher Training
- 9:40: Incia’s Journey teaching kids’ yoga
- 21:35: What does a kids yoga class look like?
- 27:45: Incia’s favourite kids’ yoga books/resources
- 31:15: Affirmations for kids
- 37:17: How Incia has seen yoga and mindfulness impact children
- 48:25: How you can practice/work/learn with Incia
Resources discussed
- Sounds True Kids: https://www.soundstrue.com/collections/discover-books-for-kids
- Bala Kids Books: https://www.shambhala.com/bala-kids/
- Lucinda's Magical Yoga Adventure: https://www.etsy.com/listing/483391506/lucindas-magical-yoga-adventure-book-and
Upcoming ways to learn with Incia:
- Kids Yoga Teacher Training Retreat [August 6-7]: https://onceuponamat.ca/ola/services/outdoor-kids-yoga-teacher-training
- Once Upon a Rainbow Summer School (Caledon, ON) [August 2022]: https://onceuponamat.ca/ola
For more information follow Incia on Instagram @onceponamat or visit her website: https://onceuponamat.ca
For more Yoga and Mindfulness resources follow Danielle on instagram @daniellebalsez or visit her website https://www.daniellebalsez.com
Join the Free Facebook Community "The Calm Corner" for all things mindfulness and calm: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaforstressrelease
Download your free stress release toolkit: bit.ly/FreeStressReleasePractice
In this episode, I will guide you through a bedtime affirmation meditation.
This meditation is the perfect way to end your day; planting seeds of positive thoughts that will integrate as you sleep and continue to blossom over the days that follow.
Wishing you the sweetest of dreams.
Want to improve your sleep through yoga & mindfulness? Check out Yoga for Better Sleep: https://danielledsouza.offeringtree.com/online_store
Join the next live online women's circle: https://daniellebalsez.com/womens-circles
Join the next live online mini retreat/workshop: https://daniellebalsez.com/workshops
Want some free resources?
Become apart of my FB community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaforstressrelease
Download your free stress release toolkit: https://www.subscribepage.com/b5s5t6
In this episode, I will guide you through a morning affirmation meditation. This meditation is a beautiful way to start your day with confidence and ease.
If you find any affirmations in particular that you enjoy, listen to them again, write them down and read them to yourself every day. Affirmations are even more powerful when we share them with ourself in our own voice.
If you would like to learn how to create your own affirmations (a truly powerful practice), join me on May 29th for Know Your Worth, a confidence building workshop themed around the solar plexus chakra. You can find all the details here: https://www.daniellebalsez.com/workshops
In this episode you will learn all about affirmations. I will cover:
- what is an affirmation;
- why affirmations are so powerful;
- my own experience with affirmations as well as some of my favourite ones to use; and
- how you can begin to integrate affirmations into your life today.
If you would like to learn more about affirmations with me join my upcoming workshop on May 28th called "Know Your Worth" where we will be creating our own affirmations, flowing through a solar plexus chakra Hatha Yoga practice, and integrating it all with a guided meditation. Details here: https://daniellebalsez.com/workshops
If you have any questions, please send them to: release.restore@gmail.com
Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/daniellebalsez
This guided meditation practice will help you connect to your soft, intuitive and wise feminine energy. In a world where we are constantly stimulated and so busy doing, the feminine energy invites us to just be. Allow this meditation to be a wonderful self care practice for you to reconnect to your feminine energy and invite in more balance.
Learn more about what feminine energy is by listening to episode 65: What is Feminine Energy
If you would like to join in on my upcoming women's circle on May 15, you can find more details here: https://daniellebalsez.com/womens-circles
If you have any questions, please send an email to: release.restore@gmail.com
The feminine energy is powerful and gentle at the same time. It is our restful, nurturing nature that we do not tap into often enough and is key to managing overwhelm and feeling more balanced. In this mini lesson I will discuss what feminine energy is, why it is so important, and a few ways you can begin to connect to your feminine energy today.
Join me next week for a guided meditation to connect to your feminine energy.
Join me for an upcoming women's circle, next session on May 15. Details here: https://www.daniellebalsez.com/womens-circles
In this week's episode I will guide you through a 20 minute meditation journey that will take you through each chakra - from root to crown. We will connect to the colours and energy of each chakra and seal it all in with affirmations.
If you are interested to explore further:
Join my upcoming Exploring the Chakras yoga and meditation series starting May 4: https://daniellebalsez.com/yogaclasses
Join a chakra workshop: https://daniellebalsez.com/workshops
Work with me 1:1 through my chakra balance program: https://daniellebalsez.com/chakrabalance
Follow me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/daniellebalsez for a chance to win a chakra related prize package very soon!
For questions, comments or collaborations please email release.restore@gmail.com
This week's episode is an introduction to the chakras. If you have ever been curious to learn about them, or just want a quick recap, this is the episode for you. I will discuss what the chakras are and explain some of the themes associate with each - you will soon understand why they are such a powerful tool for balance as they cover such a wide array of topics.
If you are interested to explore further:
Join my upcoming Exploring the Chakras yoga and meditation series: https://daniellebalsez.com/yogaclasses
Join a chakra workshop: https://daniellebalsez.com/workshops
Work with me 1:1 through my chakra balance program: https://daniellebalsez.com/chakrabalance
Follow me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/daniellebalsez for a chance to win a chakra related prize package very soon!
This meditation is all about connecting to the earth element (based on traditional Chinese medicine), offering ourselves grounding, balance, and support to invite more serenity and peace into our lives.
Free Resources
- Download my Journey to Self Love toolkit - available for free until March 25: https://www.yesandyoga.com/selflove
- Join my Facebook community Yoga and Mindfulness for Stress Release: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaforstressrelease
- Connect with me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yesand_yoga
Yoga Classes
- Join my upcoming yoga series themed around the earth element: https://danielledsouza.offeringtree.com/offerings
For collaborations, sponsorships or other inquiries, please email release.restore@gmail.com
This meditation is especially for those of you who are feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Stress is the body’s natural reaction to pressures from a situation or life event. While a small amount of stress is normal, when we are constantly in a stressed state, our mind and body just can’t function the way it’s supposed to. This is a short practice that you can return to time and time again to help manage stress and give your mind and body an opportunity to rest and heal.
Download my free self love toolkit: https://www.yesandyoga.com/selflove
Connect with me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yesand_yoga
Join my Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaforstressrelease
This week’s meditation is intended to support you in restoring your mind-heart connection, so that you can make decisions with more ease and clarity.
Access my free self love toolkit which includes journaling prompts, affirmations and a guided meditation: https://www.yesandyoga.com/selflove
This meditation is meant to inspire you to find awe in the everyday – to be inspired by the seemingly small things in life, enabling you to remember how much beauty is around and within you.
Move, Breathe + Meditate with me: https://danielledsouza.offeringtree.com/schedule
Access my pre-recorded series: Balance Your Doshas: https://danielledsouza.offeringtree.com/online_store/balance-your-doshas
Follow me on instagram: @yesand_yoga
This week’s meditation invites you to acknowledge your feelings during uncertain times, let go of the desire to control, and transform your energy into peace, gratitude, and grace so that you can share this with the world.
Move, Breathe + Meditate with me: https://danielledsouza.offeringtree.com/schedule
Join Awaken to Self Love: https://www.facebook.com/groups/readytoawakentoselflove
Get Your Free Self Love Toolkit & Sign Up for my newsletter: https://www.yesandyoga.com/selflove
This special year end meditation is all about reflecting on the year that passed, clearing space, and setting intentions for the year ahead with alignment between your head and your heart. I wish you a beautiful 2022!
Join my new Facebook group Awaken to Self Love where I will be hosting a free workshop on intention setting on December 29th at 12pm EST: https://www.facebook.com/groups/readytoawakentoselflove
Check out my website: https://www.yesandyoga.com
This meditation uses breath awareness and soothing sound instrumentation to help you find a deeper, more restful sleep.
Don't forget to download you free self love toolkit at:
https://www.yesandyoga.com/selflove
In this week’s meditation, I will guide you through a meditation to help you tap into your five senses to find more grounding, calm, and joy.
Our five senses provide the perfect tools for tapping into mindfulness as they act as the bridge between our external and internal worlds. They help us use the things that are external to us (those we often cannot control), to refine our inner experience, and our ability to be present.
Practice with me: https://www.yesandyoga.com/offerings
Explore the Mindful Gift Shop: https://www.yesandyoga.com/mindfulholidayshop
This week's guided meditation is a practice intended to reconnect you with your inner artist. I will guide you inwards, share an original poem with you and then hold space for you to sit with your inner artist and explore.
Mindful Holiday Shop
Looking to give the gift of mindfulness this year? The mindful holiday shop is now open, check it out here: https://www.yesandyoga.com/mindfulholidayshop
Practice with Me:
Every few weeks I run a new series of Move, Breathe + Meditate classes. This class format is based on traditional hatha yoga; a balanced practice that involves exploration of the body, mind and spirit! I am currently offering drop in classes themed around the chakras, you can find all the details here: https://www.yesandyoga.com/offerings
Free Journey to Self Love Toolkit:
Don't forget to download your free self love toolkit from my website (available for a limited time only): https://www.yesandyoga.com/selflove
Rose quartz is a beautiful crystal that represents support, healing, love and compassion, among many other qualities. In this meditation we will tap into the qualities of this beautiful gemstone to reconnect with our heart and sit in acceptance of what is.
Mindful Holiday Shop
Looking to give the gift of mindfulness this year? The mindful holiday shop is now open, check it out here: https://www.yesandyoga.com/mindfulholidayshop
Practice with Me:
Every few weeks I run a new series of Move, Breathe + Meditate classes. This class format is based on traditional hatha yoga; a balanced practice that involves exploration of the body, mind and spirit! I am currently offering drop in classes themed around the chakras, you can find all the details here: https://www.yesandyoga.com/offerings
Free Journey to Self Love Toolkit:
Don't forget to download your free self love toolkit from my website (available for a limited time only): https://www.yesandyoga.com/selflove
In this week's episode you will be guided through a breathing practice that encourages a natural, fluid deepening of your breath. When we deepen the breath, we begin to tap into the parasympathetic nervous system, giving us a much needed moment to rest from the overwhelm of life.
You can do this practice first thing in the morning, in the moment when you feel overwhelm rise up, or at the end of your day to release and let go of any stress or worries that have been building throughout the day
Practice with Me:
Every few weeks I run a new series of Move, Breathe + Meditate classes. This class format is based on traditional hatha yoga; a balanced practice that involves exploration of the body, mind and spirit! The next series will be a beautiful Journey Through the Chakras. You can find all the details and a link to sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/journey-through-the-chakras-a-7-week-move-breathe-meditate-series-tickets-193388770017
Free Journey to Self Love Toolkit:
Don't forget to download your free self love toolkit from my website (available for a limited time only): https://www.yesandyoga.com/selflove
This meditation practice is intended to connect you back to your sense of gratitude so you can remember that you already have everything you need and you are infinitely abundant.
Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian listeners!
This meditation is intended to help you feel more connected – to the earth, the sky, and all the magical people in your life or waiting to be in your life, so that you can remember the immense love that always surrounds you.
If you want to practice with me here are my upcoming offerings:
Movement + Mantra (Oct 2): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/174653241547
Move Breathe + Meditate Yoga Series (Oct 14-30): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/179430851507
In this final part of the mindful morning meditation series, we will work to awaken the body and the mind through breath awareness and intention. We will work with samana vayu to equalize the flow of the breath, allowing you to bring more balance into your day.
This week's meditation is a continuation of the mindful morning meditation series. You will be invited to start your day with a body scan, bringing awareness and appreciation to the physical nature of your being.
If you are looking for a morning boost, this meditation is for you.You can choose to find a meditation posture after waking, or stay in bed and listen to this guided meditation to help kick start your day before your feet even hit the ground! This is part of a series of mindful morning meditations that I will be releasing on the podcast over the next few months.
Starting your day mindfully will ripple through each and everything you do!
This meditation is part of day 7 of the 7 days of calm series, but can also be used for finding calm in every day.
This short meditation practice uses body and breath awareness to help you connect to your space of peace and joy so that you can enjoy some rest from the stresses of daily life.
This week's meditation is an invitation to boost your energy naturally. We will use a hand mudra, breath and body awareness, and visualization to arrive in the present moment and tap into the limitless energy that surrounds you.
Here is a link to the newsletter where I talk about my experience with quitting coffee: https://www.yesandyoga.com/campaigns/view-campaign/eKNcnQDHCBLOOcqSOYb6fKIxhlvfMc3xYr7x_mQ_94xCEgf_51McuMxsgGp3Ygfn-hnrKnX35Mni6UDR1D8z-yre1SMFS094
This meditationis about connecting to your body and breath, accepting all sensations, thoughts and emotions that you may be feeling (without judgement), and finding space in between it all for rest, restoration and peace.
This meditation is the perfect way to unwind after a long day. You will be invited to let go of your day, acknowledging any experiences (both pleasant and unpleasant) as temporary, and bring yourself back to the beauty that exists within the present moment.
If you'd like to practice with me live, I would love to see you at one of my upcoming classes: https://vstudio.live/instructors/danidees
This meditation provides an opportunity to express gratitude for the sun, the water, and the earth. We will connect to these elements around us and within us to remember that we are part of this beautiful planet.
If you would like to participate in an earth day themed yoga experience I will be hosting on April 24th, I would love for you to join me for Reconnect. Details here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/reconnect-a-yoga-experience-april-theme-renewal-tickets-145987327025
Bring a little more mindfulness and imagination into your day by joining Sophia for a magical carpet adventure!
This week's meditation is inspired by Nischila Joy Devi's Deep Relaxation. Deep relaxation is a technique that involves tensing and releasing various muscles in the body in order to promote a state of rest.
If you would like to practice with me you can find more details about upcoming classes and workshops here:
https://vstudio.live/instructors/danidees
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/reconnect-a-yoga-experience-april-theme-renewal-tickets-145987327025?aff=erelexpmlt
In this meditation we will leverage this beautiful spring season to plant seeds in our garden. Seeds of nourishment, acceptance and connection; gentle reminders of the ways that we can take care of ourselves and others as the seasons begin to shift.
Practice with Me!
Release & Restore signature classes begin April 3rd. If you are interested in learning more, you can find all the details here: https://vstudio.live/instructors/danidees
The new moon represents new beginnings, and so this meditation is all about setting intentions from a heart centred space. I have created this meditation so that you can use it for any new moon this year and beyond!
Here are the days for the new moons for the rest of 2021:
Mar 13, Apr 12, May 11, Jun 10, Jul 10, Aug 8, Sept 7, Oct 6, Nov 4, Dec 4.
Additional Details - Reconnect: A Yoga Experience (FREE tickets)
In this episode I also mentioned the yoga experience I will be hosting on March 18th at 7:30pm themed around unwinding; releasing stress and tension in the body. Here is the link if you are interested in attending: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/reconnect-unwind-tickets-142132440957
In today’s meditation we will journey to a beautiful pond - connecting not only to the pond itself, but to the essence of the pond – the element of water and all that it represents. Water governs our relationships, emotions, and imagination - it is what...
This week's episode is a meditation for the full moon. It provides an opportunity to check in with yourself, express gratitude for everything that has manifested in your life, and step into a sense of nourishment and ease to close out this lunar...
In this week's meditation we will reaffirm our strengths, reflect on what makes us feel alive, and bring the sensations and feelings of motivation back into our bodies to help re-ignite the "spark" that always exists within us.If you'd like to practice...
This week's meditation is a reminder to return to love. It provides an opportunity to replenish your own cup so that you can share love with others without depleting your own energy.
In this weeks meditation we will practice patience, noticing how impatience manifests in our thoughts, feelings and emotions, and approaching these feelings from a space of compassion.If you are interested in joining in on my yoga classes, you can find...
In this week’s meditation we spend some time in winter’s embrace - appreciating the beauty and calm of this season with a snowy adventure. If you are enjoying these meditations, please write a review, it helps get them out to more people that need them!
In this week’s meditation we will invite the body to relax and the breath to find ease in order to release stress - finding space for rest and calm.
In today’s meditation we will take time to appreciate the small things, so that we can begin to experience joy day to day and moment to moment.Here is a link for tickets to Reconnect if you’re interested:...
In this first meditation of the new year we will let go of the past year, embracing all the experiences that came with it, and make space for a new intention to be planted - with connection to the heart. If you’d like to be kept in the loop for upcoming...
For the last new meditation of the year, I invite you to journey back home, to the heart. In this meditation, we will let go, create space, and invite the heart to open/soften to bring more balance, and of course love + compassion into our lives.Happy...
For this week’s meditation, prepare your favourite warm beverage (mindfully) and spend some time immersed in the present moment. You can find more details on the December 20th virtual yoga retreat at www.yesandyoga.com/events. If you want to be kept in...
This week’s meditation is about tapping into your space of intuition in order to seek answers to the questions from your heart.
In this weeks episode we will invite balance into the energy centres in our body (the Chakras) in order to help promote physical and emotional wellbeing. To learn more about the Chakras, join me for “Journey Through the Chakras” a seven week virtual...
This week’s meditation is about using our breath, and awareness of the physical body and mental thought patterns - to release and refill our cup. This meditation is a great way to reset by letting go of what is not serving you, appreciate the “pause” in...
In this week’s episode we will work to accept all aspects and experiences that make us who we are; acknowledging that opposites are needed to bring us into balance and to appreciate each moment for what it can offer.
This meditation is meant to provide you an opportunity to connect to your heart and your mind in order to remember your intention, your purpose, so that you can bring it into each and every thing you do.
This week’s meditation is about embracing the beauty of the season of fall. This season provides the perfect representation of changing cycles, and what it looks like to trust your wisdom and know when it’s time to release - to let go.
This weeks meditation is about finding space to listen so that you can be guided by your intuition; your inner sense of knowing. Trusting that your body and mind know exactly what to do once you look beyond the stories and judgements.
In this week’s episode we explore the qualities of curiousity and how we can open our minds in order to bring more wonder, awe, and adventure into our lives!
This week’s meditation is about truly embracing forgiveness through compassion and understanding. This is necessary in order to release what may be weighing you down so that you can create space for a new more vibrant energy in your life.
This week’s meditation is themed around self love. Learning to love who we are on a physical, energetic and emotional level so we can better share love with others.
This week’s meditation is about adapting change by letting go of limiting thoughts and beliefs, sitting in awareness of the change and our own perceptions, and becoming open to what the change may bring.
This weeks meditation is meant to help you find your space of calm by letting go of what is not serving you and inviting in ease through compassion.We will also be applying a breathing technique to further allow the body and breath to shift into the...
This week’s meditation is meant to help you create a new morning routine that will bring more awareness, focus and presence to your day! I challenge you to do this meditation every morning for the next week and see how you feel :)
In this week’s meditation I will guide you through some simple breath awareness and a body scan to guide you into a restful state. I recommend doing this meditation before bed with low light to allow your body, mind and especially your eyes to begin to...
This week’s meditation is another inscape, this time to a beautiful beach. We will use the beach and our connection to our body and breath to explore trust - trust in our own capabilities and in whatever the universe is offering us in this moment.
Craving a trip to the spa? This may be the meditation for you! In this week’s meditation we will work to progressively release tension in the facial muscles in order to bring release throughout the mind and body.
This weeks meditation is another short and sweet practice for finding balance amidst frustration and challenge. We will use the breath to bring awareness and acceptance, and then to invite balance into our body and mind.
This week’s meditation will allow you to connect with your breath and body and share positive, kind, empowering words with yourself.Additional Notes: My new website is also now available, I will be offering free gentle yoga classes for the month of July...
Happy Canada Day! This week’s episode is inspired by the beautiful west coast of Canada. Allow yourself to connect to the mountains and the qualities of the mountain (strength, beauty and humility) that exist within you.
This weeks episode is focused on reconnecting to the the creativity that exists within each one of us, so that we may find magical moments in what appears ordinary.We will work to balance our sacral chakra (the centre of creativity and expression in the...
In this week’s episode we will explore sound meditation by first tuning into the sounds in and around us, and then appreciating the beauty of music through the magical notes of the spirit drum.You can do a music meditation on your own anytime by...
In today’s episode we will practice loving kindness - first sharing it with ourselves and then extending that same kindness to others through our words and intentions. This is a simple, yet powerful practice. I hope that it allows you to approach your...
This week’s meditation is a short but sweet 5 minute practice to allow you to find your focus. You can do the practice once, or try it out every day for the next week! Enjoy :)
This week’s episode is focused on self discovery with a guided meditation that will take you through a beautiful forest. We will explore the beauty of nature while appreciating the joys of who we are and discovering a little more of our own true self.
Today’s meditation is focused on the simple act of gratitude. Being grateful for what we have in the present moment, remembering to appreciate the magic and joy in all the little things. At the end of the episode I invite you to practice gratitude daily...
This week’s episode is focused on self care. Sometimes we need to take time to reconnect with our mind and body, and be present to how we are feeling, so that we can understand how to nurture ourselves. We will use the breath, intention, and positive...
Today's guided meditation will focus on the art of surrendering. Letting go of thoughts and expectations related to what we want to achieve and our expectations around how that should unfold, and instead focusing on how we want to feel and being present...