Soul Yoga Podcast: Recent Episodes
Amanda Jayne Aaron
Yesterday (April 5), I had a womb connection session with Madison from Ode to Birth Doula Collective. This is the doula group I am a part of and these ladies fill my heart. What I love about womb sessions is the opportunity to have myself reflected back to me.
My dad passed Jan 1 this year. Grief has surprised me and pleased me in ways I have not heard anyone talk about before. It has painted the way I see the world and provided me the skill to be crystal clear about what no longer serves me or no longer brings me joy. Grief has been my ally to personally evolve and let go and move forward. It identifies what is of the utmost importance.
I booked this womb session with Madison because the womb is in the same body region of the hips and the hips is where we hold emotion. Do you hold emotion but don’t feel stiff hips? Your jaw mirrors your hips and has very similar muscles to your pelvic floor. A stiff jaw is a sign of pent up emotion. If you’re wondering what a womb session is, ask Madison!
https://www.odetobirth.com/
In this episode, I dive into my journey as a Christian and how my faith has evolved over the years. There is more about my dad and my faith journey in the memories I shared at his funeral. You can read it here.
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This story is copied over from my old website. While it’s no longer as fresh in my memory 4 years later, it’s still a fantastic story that I am enthralled with and want to read over and over.
When I first wrote my birth story, my husband said all the facts made it sound mechanical. Reading it through several times, I have to agree with him, but I wanted to capture the details accurately.
I absolutely believe that a calm mind and steady breath, and not allowing my pain to take over were the keys in labouring at home, a quick delivery in the hospital and an amazing breastfeeding journey.
Birth was the most euphoric experience I’ve ever had. The hormones that naturally rush through your body when it can be left alone are incredible! It was absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it.
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Most of the time I’ll be recording these podcast episodes from the tub. Recently, I’ve been enjoying a guided sacral chakra meditation. There always seems to be some piece of insight or wisdom that my womb leaves me with. The womb is the power centre for creation, creativity and feeling safe. The guided mediation offers this affirmation: I am a creative fluid being with unlimited power to create what I want. The meditation asks what is my womb calling me to let go of, and also what messages is my womb sending me. I started this audio recording more for my personal record, so I wouldn’t forget. And it turned into a power, and emotional recording of what I’ve been personally journeying through lately. It’s a raw and real audio. I wasn’t able to keep the tears back. Life gets tough sometimes. I hope this resonates with you. If you have any reflections, please leave a comment. All my love, Amanda.
Get full access to Soul Musings, a Soul Yoga Retreat Newsletter at soulyogaretreat.substack.com/subscribe
Sharing vulnerably, matrix as womb, operating from talent and not desperation, and belonging as the antidote to the imposter syndrome.
Get full access to Soul Musings, a Soul Yoga Retreat Newsletter at soulyogaretreat.substack.com/subscribe
Listen in as I share my long journey from my first blog post to launching a Substack!
Get full access to Amanda’s Substack at soulyogaretreat.substack.com/subscribe
Do you feel isolated? Do you notice the ache for a village? I am so passionate about building village skills and drawing people together. There are so many amazing groups building up women after the pandemic, but very little for families. Join me in the movement! To learn more about the Kickstarter campaign I mention in this episode, check out fundregillagers.com.
This meditation connects you with the planet Jupiter, and naturally aligns you to opportunities to bless you. Enjoy the short listen!
So, what I don't usually talk about is my day job. You know the job that pays the bills, because it really doesn't feed my soul it feeds my family but not my soul and not the direction that I want my family to go. But it does afford me professional development courses.
The course that I'm taking right now is over four weeks. It's called Leadership Foundations for Women in Construction. In our first live session, we talked about the different leadership styles, that men operate predominantly as transactional leaders and women operate predominately as transformational leaders (also known as relationship leaders). This really fires me up. I am so passionate for women to operate in their divine feminine strengths and not try to be a man. I think the feminist movement so F*ed up women's sense of valuing feminine traits. The world does not need women in pants suits trying to operate exactly as a man and think like a man and lead like a man and be paid the same as a man for doing exactly the same job description as a man. The world needs women embodying their feminine - sensual, nurturing, fiery, relational, collaborative instead of competitive - this is the energy we need more of in the world. In my head I continue on to rant about patriarchy vs matriarchy, but the secret is a delicate balance between the healthy masculine and the healthy feminine. I feel this is a little too woo woo for the construction industry, yet we are talking more and more about women in leadership so maybe it's time.
If you've ever wondered about your role as a woman, either in the work force or in the dynamic of your marriage or as a mother - this episode will likely speak to you. Bringing awareness to this balance of the divine feminine and the divine masculine was the reason why I started writing my book. It's something that unless we all start talking about it, this knowledge will stay hidden. Have a listen and hope you enjoy!
This audio started as what I thought was going to be an instagram post. Then, I realized how passionate I am about this topic of connection. It is my sole driving force. I talk about purposely looking to be distraction, and how meaningful connection to self comes before meaningful connections to others. I talk about my fear of failure that paralyzes me into inaction, and my intention to make more mistakes this year to help me get past paralyzing fear of failure. Have a listen and let me know what you think!
What happens when you love you're family and want to support them, but disagree with them and hold very different life style values? Tune in to listen to me rant and rave about my own family dynamics. No answers here, unfortunately, but let's join in conversation about the challenging aspects of life and come together in mutual love and care for one another instead of dissonance and division. Sending you all my love, Amanda.
Btw, I say I don't ruin the plot of the movie. That's incorrect. I completely give away the plot of the movie.
If the world would be completely destroyed in 6 months, would you live differently? Would your values change? Would you take more risks or take radical action or completely change your social-economic status? In this episode I talk about a plethora of ideas, coming back to the thought that we are already on the path to change. I realized, during covid, that I did not act the way I wanted. I did not hoard toilet paper, but I operated out of fear. I didn't reach out and socialize how I wanted. Now, I'm changing that. Did you act in a way that honoured your value system during covid? Would you have changed your behaviour? What is more important to you now than before? Let's join in discussion on this and shed light on our experiences. Sending my love to you all.
Sincerely,
Amanda
Acknowledging my cycle of shrinking has been discouraging because now I see so many areas in my life where I still play small. In this episode, I discuss my journey of identifying the moments I shrink and how I'm practicing expansion. It's a scary journey but one that will move me out of blockages and towards my highest self.
What a difference a year can make! Join me on this episode as I discuss the loneliness of motherhood through covid, depressing Christmas seasons, and the difference a year (or two!) can make. My prayer is that, wherever you are, you are able to find the differences in your own life and sit in gratitude and hold space for yourself to celebrate how far you've come.
If you've wondering what I've been up to lately, here's the list:
- laptop took a coffee bath
- mom was in hospital for 3 weeks
- cat dies
- decide not to plan another kid
- tell my boss I'm looking for other work
It's been an intense month and a half of crying, grief, anger, frustration and consistent and steady letting go, releasing, purging of what no longer serves me. It seems like anything that I had placed my identity in, or who I thought I was, is being stripped away. I sit with the grief and anger, and then I'm left with peace and lightness. And also nursing a steady sinus infection, which leads me to talk about Speaking Up and not playing small. When there is is dis-ease in the mind, it manifests as disease in the body. I ask myself, where am I constricting? Where am I holding back my voice? Where am I controlling, pushing, forcing; where am I creating a state of dis-ease? And where could I operate more in flow, more in alignment? How can I welcome ease into my life? My fervent desire is that as answers come to me, I am emboldened and take action.
OMG my heart is pounding so loudly in my chest right now. Writing a book and potentially hosting a retreat is a combination of the most feminine / in-the-flow and scary and elating and exciting things I've ever started. Listen in to this episode to catch all my ramblings of this exciting adventure!
Originally recorded September 9, 2022, I share about the Red Moon Woman (bleeding with the full moon) and White Moon Woman (bleeding with the new moon). Have you heard these terms before? How do you relate? Find me on instagram and let me know what you think! @amandajayneaaron
https://www.instagram.com/amandajayneaaron/
You guys - this episode is truly raw. About half way through I'm either on the verge of tears, or crying.
Read the transcript of this episode on my blog:
https://soulyogaretreat.org/blog/010-i-ask-for-what-i-need/
In this episode, I share with you an idea to create a children's book series of the Sabbats. Listen along for some inspiration!
I am coming to realize that I had an expectation of what motherhood should look like from the example of my own mom and of society. Many norms I have changed. One blessing is that I am extremely present with my son. One challenging aspect is that I have no distractions of business - I am made to face the moment. Listen in as I share about my childhood and my motherhood experiences!
Read the transcript here:
https://soulyogaretreat.org/blog/008-my-expectation-of-motherhood/
I heard an amazing podcast where 3 ladies focused on the HOW of Motherhood. How do you get it all done? How do you find alone time? How often do you see your friends? How do you manage breastfeeding/naps/diapers/buying groceries/meal prep - ALL THE THINGS. In a tech world, it is far too common that we see the highlight reel of people's lives and forget that there's heartache and hardship in the background. Be seen. Share your ugly, inner world.
To read the transcript of this episode, click below:
https://soulyogaretreat.org/blog/007-the-how-of-motherhood/
I was inspired by a conversation with a co-worker to talk about my experience with the conception, pregnancy and birth of my little dude. He's now 27-months old, and there is certainly a part of me that longs to be pregnant again. Honestly, I puked the entire time. It was challenging. But it was also the most magical moment of my life. Check out more blog articles below!
Birth story:
https://soulyogaretreat.org/blog/my-birth-story/
First day after giving birth:
https://soulyogaretreat.org/uncategorized/first-day-after-giving-birth/
Operative Report, and BC Postpartum Clinical Path Progress Notes:
https://soulyogaretreat.org/uncategorized/operative-report/
Let me give it to you straight - in this episode I share the moment where I was able to transfer the feeling of being safe and secure from employment to love. Straight up. That's the breakthrough. For my whole life, the thought of being unemployed made me feel sick to my stomach - like how would I even life. I would probably not live. I would probably die - get evicted, live on the street, no money for food, then die. There were so many little points over the last 3 years (all of which I'm writing in my first-ever book) that lead me to lessening the bond that employment had over me and here was the final straw: when I am anchored in love and in who I am, that's where my feeling of safety and security comes from. I no longer need employment to feel safe and secure.
The first 5 minutes I talk about my feminine approach to this podcast. Skip to the 5min mark to get to the good stuff!
Some sources I share about:
Soulshine Astrology https://www.soulshineastrology.com/ and the Cosmic Calling Podcast https://www.soulshineastrology.com/podcast/
Sarah Vrba's New Moon in Capricorn Youtube video https://youtu.be/iLr9voKgxjM
Ele de Posson's Sacred Roots Podcast episode #2 (check the last 10 minutes for a guided meditation to release your ego from the driver's seat) https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YspyvbSMnPtEvfUAufVeZ?si=507a1abf41074788
All I can think of is how unpopular this title may be! Rarely do we admit that we desire to be seen, and seldom is it talked about to minister to yourself first before serving others. I recently heard a quote that explained that self-care is preventative - you care for yourself first, then serve others. It's self-care, not after-care. Growing up in a traditional Christian house, it was a subtle message to always be giving and that any care for yourself was selfish. My parents never said that, but it was a common practice. Many leaders would talk about how they would feel guilt if they took a day off for self-care. After working for a non-profit, Christian organization in 2012/2013, I hit a low point and began to prioritize self care over everything else. Now, years later, as a new mom, I want to give everything to my babe, but am searching for the middle ground to make sure I'm giving from a full cup. If this episode resonates with you, send me a note! Find me on Instagram at www.instagram.com/amandajayneaaron or email me directly at amanda.jayne08@gmail.com.
In this episode, I discuss my recent inspiration to create an oracle card deck for pregnant mamas or anyone about to birth a creative project. I share a story of journey back to regular bath times after my son was born, and review multiple details I've learned recently about the Solar Plexus Chakra. Enjoy the show!
In this episode I share about a conversation with my husband that got my mind running. I find I am so quick to lean on technology for support and after some soul-searching in this episode, I find that the root of my reliance on technology is due to an absence of real, authentic Community. Do you share this view of community? Send me your thoughts!
Find me on Instagram at www.instagram.com/soulyogaretreat_ or email me directly at amanda.jayne08@gmail.com.
Interested to read these Womb Insights? Check out a transcription of this episode on my website at www.soulyogaretreat.org/blog/womb-insights-technology-vs-community/
Bathtub Insights: Sharing thoughts on Surrender (my 2022 Resolution), Value, and Vision